Barrie Chase Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Height, Movies, Wiki, IMDb, Parents

Biography

Barrie Chase, born October 20, 1933, in Kings Point, New York, is an American actress and dancer celebrated for her impact on film and television during Hollywood’s golden age.

Starting formal dance training at three, she went on to perform in numerous Hollywood musicals, dancing with legends like Fred Astaire. Her collaboration with Astaire in several Emmy-winning television specials in the late 1950s and 1960s solidified her place in dance entertainment.

Barrie Chase‘s film roles span from dance to drama, with standout performances in films such as Cape Fear (1962), It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and The Flight of the Phoenix (1965). She also appeared in the chorus of musicals like Les Girls (1957) and graced television shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, further establishing her prominence in the industry.

Barrie Chase
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Barrie Chase
Born:	20 October 1933 (age 90 years old)
Place of Birth:	Kings Point, New York, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	N/A
Height:	1.7 m
Parents:	Borden Chase, Lee Keith
Siblings:	Frank Chase
Spouse:	Gene Shacove, Jan Malmsjö (m. 1966–1968), Richard Kaufman
Boyfriend • Partner:	Gunnar Hellström (rum.), Paul Gilbert (rum.), Robert Towne (rum.), Fred Astaire (rum.)
Children:	1
Occupation:	Actress • Dancer
Net Worth:	$1 million-$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Barrie Chase, born October 20, 1933, in Kings Point, New York, became a leading figure in entertainment known for her exceptional dancing and acting.

Beginning formal dance lessons at age three, her mother, Lee Keith, a pianist, nurtured her passion for dance following her parents’ divorce. This change led Chase to set aside her dream of becoming a ballerina in New York to support her family in Los Angeles.

Barrie Chase comes from a creative family, with her father, Borden Chase, a notable writer, and her brother, Frank Chase, working as a screenwriter and actor. Though her religious background isn’t widely documented, growing up in the culturally diverse environment of Los Angeles likely exposed her to various religious and cultural influences common in the entertainment community of that era.

She received extensive dance training under renowned instructors such as Adolph Bolm and Maria Bekefi, which formed the foundation of her career.

Career

Barrie Chase‘s career exemplifies her versatility and talent, making her a lasting presence in Hollywood’s golden age of musicals and television specials. Starting dance training at age three, she transitioned from ballet to tap and jazz, which helped her become a standout in Hollywood’s dance scene.

Her breakthrough came in the chorus of the film Les Girls (1957), where she caught the attention of Fred Astaire. This led to their famous partnership in several television specials, including An Evening with Fred Astaire (1958), which won an Emmy, and Another Evening with Fred Astaire (1959). Her performances with Astaire are often regarded as some of the finest dance sequences ever on television.

In addition to dance, Barrie Chase demonstrated her acting abilities in films such as Cape Fear (1962), where she played a pivotal role, and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), where she had a smaller part. Her filmography also includes The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), showing her range in both drama and comedy.

Chase‘s television appearances extended beyond her work with Astaire. She was featured on popular shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Hollywood Palace, and The Red Skelton Show, showcasing her dance talents in various formats.

After performing, Barrie Chase shifted to choreography and teaching, sharing her expertise with new generations of dancers. Though her on-screen appearances became less frequent, her work with Astaire and contributions to dance on screen left an enduring legacy.

Social Media

• IMDb: Barrie Chase
• Britannica: Barrie Chase

Personal Life

Barrie Chase has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Gene Shacove in the early 1950s, though little is known about this period of her life. After their divorce, she married Swedish actor and recording star Jan Malmsjö in 1965, but the marriage ended in 1968.

Barrie Chase‘s current husband is Richard Kaufman, a dentist with whom she has been married for many years. They have one child together, though details about their child remain largely private.

Chase is 5’2″ (160 cm), a height often highlighted in contrast to her taller dance partners, particularly Fred Astaire.

Chase‘s most famous partnership with Fred Astaire was primarily professional, rumors of a romantic connection circulated during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Before marrying Malmsjö, she was romantically involved with him, a relationship that became public knowledge in 1965.

Brief reports linking her to Gunnar Hellström surfaced in 1961. Earlier in 1955, gossip columns suggested she was dating Paul Gilbert and possibly engaged, though this did not lead to marriage. Around 1957, she was also romantically linked to screenwriter Robert Towne, though this relationship remained more private than public.

Net Worth

Barrie Chase‘s net worth has been estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million in recent years.

This wealth primarily stems from her successful career as an actress and dancer in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s, where she starred in notable films and television specials, most famously alongside Fred Astaire. Her earnings from these ventures and potential investments, particularly in real estate, have contributed to her financial status.