Sylvia Lewis
Sylvia Lewis is an American actress, dancer and choreographer.
Career
Sylvia Lewis first performed as a young child in the last days of vaudeville in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her first classical training as a scholarship student at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, studying dance, voice and piano. She went to Hollywood at the age of twelve.Lewis began her film career in Singin' in the Rain and Red Garters as a dancer, then in Drums of Tahiti as an actress. Later, she added choreography on her list of credits, which began while she was a regular featured character on the ABC television series Where's Raymond?, in which she played a dancer named Sylvia who partnered series star Ray Bolger. Lewis appeared in the 1961 film The Ladies Man where she danced with star Jerry Lewis.
Lewis was one of several actresses considered for the role of Princess Aouda in Around the World in 80 Days after Shirley MacLaine rejected it twice. Lewis tested for the role twice, before MacLaine eventually accepted it.
Lewis has choreographed many television shows since the 1950s, including Who's the Boss? and Married... with Children. Guest appearances on shows like The [Dick Van Dyke Show], The Beverly Hillbillies and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., along with a stage career on both coasts, earned her a reputation as a triple-threat performer.
In 1995 she appeared in the The Fabulous [Palm Springs Follies|Fabulous Palm Springs Follies] as July at age 63.
Filmography
- The Las Vegas Story
- Harem Girl
- Singin' in the Rain
- She's Working Her Way Through College
- Just for You
- Hans [Christian Andersen (film)|Hans Christian Andersen]
- Androcles and the Lion
- Siren of Bagdad
- Cruisin' Down the River
- Those Redheads from Seattle
- Gunsmoke
- Drums of Tahiti
- Red Garters
- Bedlam in Paradise
- The Lieutenant Wore Skirts
- The Conqueror
- Cha-Cha-Cha Boom!
- The Ladies Man
- ''Hook, Line, and Sinker''
Television work
- The Colgate Comedy Hour
- Where's Raymond?
- The [George Burns and Gracie Allen Show]
- The Bob Cummings Show
- Steve Canyon
- The Dennis O'Keefe Show
- Zorro
- Peter Gunn
- Johnny Staccato
- The New Steve Allen Show
- The Dick Van Dyke Show
- The Danny Kaye Show
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
- The Beverly Hillbillies
- The [Andy Griffith Show]
- ''The [Jerry Lewis Show]''