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Shirley Jones
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A native of Smithton, Pennsylvania, Shirley Jones auditioned at age 19 for Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who fell in love with her girl-next door looks and marvelous voice and cast her in a minor role in their 1953 Broadway production of Me and Juliet. Jones played the lead on tour and the following year was signed to play Laurey Williams in the film version of Oklahoma!.
After touring in the European stage production for nearly two years, Jones returned to California and was cast in the film Carousel, the first of a series of leading roles in motion pictures. These included her Oscar-winning performance in Elmer Gantry and her portrayal of the librarian Marian Paroo in the film version of the hit musical The Music Man with Robert Preston.
Jones, whose early television career included dramatic performances for Playhouse 90, became a beloved presence in living rooms across the country as she led The Partridge Family through five seasons. During the 1970s her records were dominated by Partridge Family LPs.
Jones also appeared on Marlo Thomas’ Free to Be ...You and Me compilation. Back on Broadway, Jones appeared in the 1994 revival of The Sound of Music and The King and I in 1995. She also participated in several benefit and tribute recordings, including Christmas Album: A Gift of Hope, on which she sang with her son Shaun, as well as salutes to Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, and Lerner and Loewe.
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