Born in Chicago, Bob Fosse began dancing at nine, and made his first professional appearance at 13 with his childhood friend Charles Grass under the name The Riff Brothers (1940). The United States Navy then claimed his talents, and he served in the Pacific Islands. Following Fosse’s discharge he toured in Call Me Mister (1947) with Mary Ann Niles. As a team they were the hit dancers who sparked Make Mine Manhattan (1948) and Dance Me a Song (1950). After appearing in the MGM films Give a Girl a Break, The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, and Kiss Me, Kate (all in 1953), Fosse departed Hollywood for the musical stage.

Fosse’s first of eight Tony Awards was for his choreography in Pajama Game (1954), which features his unforgettable number “Steam Heat.” Fosse’s fame as a choreographer continued to grow with his achievements in Damn Yankees (1955, Tony Award), where he met his lifelong partner and collaborator, Gwen Verdon. Fosse went on to choreograph Bells Are Ringing (1956, Tony nomination) and New Girl in Town (1958, Tony nomination). He directed and choreographed Redhead (1959, Tony Award), starring Verdon; staged the musical numbers for the Pulitzer Prize–winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961); and co-directed and staged the musical numbers for Little Me (1962, Tony Award). During rehearsals for Little Me, Fosse withheld his services in support of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers until Broadway producers agreed to recognize SSD&C as his collective bargaining agent. Additionally, he conceived, directed, and choreographed Sweet Charity (1966, Tony Award), starring Verdon in her signature role, Charity Hope Valentine; Chicago (1975, Tony nomination), starring Verdon; and Dancin’ (1978, Tony Award).

Bob Fosse became, in 1973, the first director in history to win an Academy Award, Tony Award, and Emmy Awards in a single year, for his spectacular triumphs in the film version of Cabaret, the Broadway musical Pippin, and the NBC television special Liza with a Z, respectively. 

Fosse also conceived, directed, and choreographed the film version of the Broadway musical Sweet Charity (1969), starring Shirley MacLaine. He choreographed and appeared in the motion picture version of My Sister Eileen (1955). For the screen he also choreographed The Pajama Game (1957) as well as Damn Yankees (1958), in which he danced with Verdon. In addition, Fosse’s “Manson Trio” from the Tony-winning hit Pippin (1973) was the first television commercial for a Broadway show, which he also directed. Fosse was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Director for Lenny (1974) and All That Jazz (1979), the latter of which won the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or, and he directed Star 80 (1983) for the screen as well. Fosse’s writing credits include the book for Chicago with Fred Ebb (1975, Tony nomination), the screenplay for All That Jazz with Robert Alan Arthur (1979, Academy Award nomination) and the screenplay for Star 80 (1983). Fosse directed and choreographed the revival of Sweet Charity starring Debbie Allen, which joined Big Deal (1986, Tony Award) on Broadway in April 1986. 

His last performing engagements were with New York City Center, dancing the title role in their revival of Pal Joey (1963), and onscreen dancing the role of The Snake in Stanley Donen’s musical fantasy The Little Prince (1974). On opening night of the national tour of Sweet Charity in Washington DC (September 23, 1987), Bob Fosse passed away. 

Fosse’s imprint exists long after his death, such as in the revival of Chicago (1996), Fosse (1999), the Emmy Award–winning FX series Fosse/Verdon (2019), and the trio of dances Sweet Gwen Suite (2021). Fosse’s work continues today with the creation of The Verdon Fosse Legacy, founded by his daughter, Nicole Providence Fosse. The Legacy’s mission is to promote, preserve, and protect the artistic and intellectual property of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, whose indelible influences can be seen across pop culture today.