Hollywood Legend Tommy Dix Passes Away at 101: A Life of Music and Memories

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101-year-old Tommy Dix, who played a youthful military school cadet alongside Lucille Ball in the 1943 MGM musical comedy “Best Foot Forward,” following his role in the original Broadway production, has passed away.

From Williamsburg, Virginia, Dix passed away on January 15th, as confirmed by his family. For those who had the privilege of knowing him, he was a living connection to some of the notable figures of 20th-century America. His absence will be deeply felt.

Or:

In Williamsburg, Virginia, Dix passed away on January 15th. His family shared the news, stating that for those who knew him well, he was a living testament to some of the significant American personalities of the 20th century. They expressed their sadness at his passing.

During that time, Dix was a well-liked baritone on the radio network and had recently made his first appearance on Broadway in “The Corn Is Green“, alongside Ethel Barrymore. Subsequently, he was recruited to portray cadet Chuck Green in “Best Foot Forward“, under the direction of George Abbott and with choreography by Gene Kelly.

The October 1940 Broadway musical, lasting for 326 performances, featured Rosemary Lane as the famous Hollywood actress Gale Joy. In an unexpected turn of events, she agreed to accompany Bud Hooper, a student from Winsocki Military Academy in Philadelphia, as his date to the junior prom.

Bud’s partner, Helen (Maureen Cannon), was upset and triggered a physical altercation during a dance, while Dix passionately sang the stirring battle hymn “Buckle Down, Winsocki.

In the movie adaptation of the story by MGM, which starred Harry James and His Music Makers, Dix stepped into the Hooper character alongside recurring cast members June Allyson and Nancy Walker. Ball assumed Lane’s role, while Virginia Weidler played the part of Helen.

Dix had the opportunity to play “Buckle Down, Winsocki” once more and collaborate on a new piece titled “Three Men on a Date.

In a critique for The New York Times, Bosley Crowther pointed out that Dix displays an excess of charm, yet provides hilarious portrayals of distress as the unfortunate protagonist.

Thomas Paine Navard, born on December 6, 1923, in New York City, grew up with significant health problems under the care of his devoted single mother, Anna.

After watching Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy sing “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life” in the 1935 film Naughty Marietta, he started to sing in his neighborhood, eventually earning the nickname “The Boy Baritone of the Bowery.

During the late 1930s, Dix showcased his talent on both NBC and CBS radio programs such as the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, a platform that frequently welcomed him back. At the tender age of 15, he also performed for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air.

Or, in a more conversational tone:

Back in the late 1930s, Dix appeared on radio shows like NBC and CBS, including the Major Bowes Amateur Hour. This show liked him so much they often had him back! When he was just 15 years old, he also sang for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air.

He received a full scholarship for four years at the Manhattan School of Music and Art, as well as an offer for a fellowship at the Juilliard School of Music.

In 1940, Dix premiered his own piece titled “The March of Dimes,” a composition he dedicated to the charitable organization. After the performance, Eleanor Roosevelt, the mother of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, came backstage to extend her congratulations to him.

That same year, I found myself gracing the stage of Broadway – even singing in Welsh – as part of the ensemble for the production of “The Corn is Green“.

1943 saw Dix enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he contributed significantly by appearing in uniform across the southern states to promote the sale of $3 million worth of war bonds. However, an accident during training meant that he was unable to participate in active combat.

Following World War II, he played in nightclubs and hotels across the country, even signing a contract with Coronet Records. However, he grew tired of show business and sought a change. He took a job at his father-in-law’s lumberyard in Birmingham, Alabama, eventually rising to the position of vice president within the company. During this time, he also pursued an education, earning an associate degree in architectural engineering from the University of Alabama.

After that, he worked in the real estate and construction sector in Joppatowne, Maryland, as well as Sarasota, Florida, until his retirement in 1986.

Four times married, twice to the same lady, Dix leaves behind his beloved partner, Catherine; his child, Grayson; a grandchild; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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2025-02-23 22:25