Marjorie Celeste Belcher known professionally by her stage name of Marge Champion is a former American dancer, dance instructor and film, television and stage actress. Champion was one of the most popular figures in the entertainment industry, particularly the dance industry, and rose to prominence during the 1940s and 1950s when she appeared in several MGM musicals along with her then husband, dancer Gower Champion.
Champion began her career when she was hired by Walt Disney Studios as a dance model for their animated film ‘Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs’ in which she served as the dance model for the animated character Snow White. She appeared in the MGM musicals ‘Show Boat’, ‘Everything I Have Is Yours’, ‘Mr. Music’, ‘Give a Girl a Break’, ‘Jupiter’s Darling’ and ‘Lovely to Look At’ along with former husband Gower Champion with whom she made a hit pair. Champion later served as a dancer and dance instructor on stage and Broadway Productions.
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Early Life and Education
Champion was born as Marjorie Celeste Belcher on 2 September 1999 in Los Angeles California as the only daughter of Gladys Lee Baskette (née Rosenberg) and her husband Ernest Belcher who served as a dance director in Hollywood. Champion’s only sibling was actress Lina Basquette, her older half-sister, born from Gladys’ marriage to Frank Baskette who committed suicide.
Champion was educated at Hollywood High School. She studied acting under Sanford Meisner. Champion learnt to dance at an early age and became a ballet instructor by age twelve, serving at her father’s studio.
Career Rise
In 1937, Champion became Disney’s dance model for their animation film ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. Her dance movements were used to bring life into the animated figure of Snow White. Champion also modeled for other animated chracters like the Blue Fairy in the 1940 animation films ‘Pinocchio’ and in the ‘Fantasia’ character Dancing Hippo. Champion and her second husband, dancer Gower Champion were known together as ‘The Champions’. The duo performed in several MGM musicals such as ‘Show Boat’, and ‘Everything I Have Is Yours’, during the 1940’s and 1950s. They also performed together inn films like ‘Mr. Music’, ‘Give a Girl a Break’, ‘Jupiter’s Darling’ and Three for the Show. The couple were cast in the 1952 film ‘Lovely to Look At’ which was the official remake of the 1935 film ‘Roberta’ featuring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astraire.
Champion and her husband featured in the situational comedy series ‘The Marge and Gower Champion Show’ which featured songs and dances with Champion playing a dancer and her husband, a choreographer. During the 1970’s Champion, along with choreographer John West and actress Marilee Zdenek formed a team that created worship services at the Presbyterian Church in Bel Air and offered liturgical arts programs and workshops across USA. In 1978, Champion worked on the miniseries ‘The Awakening Land’ in the capacity of a movement and dialogue coach. She appeared on the TV series ‘Fame’ as a racist ballet teacher. In the later years of her career, Champion served as a dancer and dance instructor on stage and Broadway productions.
Marge Champion – Young Pictures
Latest Pictures
Personal Life
Champion has been married thrice. Champion was first married to Disney animator and “Goofy” creator Art Babbitt from 1937-1940. Champion then married dancer colleague Gower Champion and took his surname as her legal last name. The couple became parents to two sons, actor Gregg and Blake Champion. The couple divorced after 26 years of marriage in 1973.
.On January 1, 1977, Champion tied the knot with director Boris Sagal and became step-mother to Sagal’s daughters from a previous marriage, actresses Katey, Jean and Elizabeth Sagal. Sagal died in an accident in May 1981 while filming the miniseries ‘World War II’.
Marge Champion – Net Worth
Champion has an estimated net worth of approximately $900,000.
