Biography for
Shirley Jones (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

31 March 1934, Charleroi, Pennsylvania, USA

Birth Name

Shirley Mae Jones

Height

5' 5½" (1.66 m)

Mini Biography

Named after child star Shirley Temple, Shirley Jones started singing at the age of six. She started formal training at the age of 12 and would dream of singing with her idol, Gordon MacRae. Upon graduating from high school, Shirley went to New York to audition for the casting director of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Taken by Shirley's beautifully trained voice, Shirley was signed as a nurse in the Broadway production of "South Pacific". Within a year, she would be in Hollywood to appear in her first film Oklahoma! (1955) as Laurey, the farm girl in love with cowboy Gordon MacRae. Oklahoma! (1955) would be filmed in CinemaScope and Todd-AO wide-screen and would take a year to shoot. After that, Shirley returned to Broadway for the stage production of "Oklahoma!" before returning to Hollywood for Carousel (1956). But by this time, musicals were a dying art and she would have a few lean years. She would work on television in programs like "Playhouse 90" (1956). With a screen image comparable to peaches-n-cream, Shirley wanted a darker role to change her image. In 1960, she would be cast as the vengeful prostitute in the Richard Brooks dramatic film Elmer Gantry (1960). With a brilliant performance against an equally brilliant Burt Lancaster, Shirley would win the Oscar for Supporting Actress. But the public wanted the good Shirley so she was cast as "Marion", the librarian, in the successful musical The Music Man (1962). Robert Preston had played the role on Broadway and his performance along with Shirley was magic. Shirley would again work with little Ron Howard in The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963). But the movies changed in the 60's and Shirley's image did not fit so she would see her movie career stop in 1965. There were always nightclubs, but Shirley would be remembered by another generation as "Shirley Partridge" in the television series "The Partridge Family" (1970). While the success of the show would do more for her stepson, teen idol David Cassidy, it would keep her name and face in the public view for the four years that the series ran. The show still plays in reruns. After the show ended, Shirley would spend the rest of the 70's in the land of television movies. The television movie The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975) (TV) would be made as a pilot for a series that was not picked up. In 1979, Shirley appeared in a comedy show called "Shirley" (1979), but the show lasted only one season. Shirley would appear infrequently in the 80's and in video's extolling fitness and beauty at the end of the decade.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Tony Fontana <tony.fontana@spacebbs.com>

Mini Biography

Shirley Mae Jones was born 31 March, 1934 in Smithton, Pennsylvania. She was named after Shirley Temple. Her father owned the local brewery. When she was 20, she went to New York with her parents and, within a week, became the first and only actor signed to a personal contract by Rogers and Hammerstein. She was in the Broadway chorus of "South Pacific" and then was offered the part of "Laurey" in "Oklahoma!". After that, she continued with the European traveling stage production with Jack Cassidy and they fell in love. She came back to make Carousel (1956), originally cast with Frank Sinatra in the male lead but later recast with Gordon McRae, her costar in Oklahoma! (1955).

In 1956, Shirley married Jack Cassidy and became step-mother to 6-year-old David Cassidy. In 1958, she gave birth to son Shaun Cassidy, followed in 1960 by Patrick Cassidy and Ryan Cassidy in 1966. In 1960, she won an Oscar for her role in Elmer Gantry (1960). In 1970, she won the part of "Shirley Partridge" in the TV series "The Partridge Family" (1970). Little did she know that her 20-year-old step-son was going to be the oldest Partridge child, "Keith". From then on, she would always be considered David Cassidy's mother. In 1974, "The Partridge Family" (1970) went off the air.

Jack's mental illness worsened and manic depression deepened. In 1974, after years of abuse, Shirley divorced Jack. Jack died in an apartment fire in December of 1976. In 1977, Shirley married comedian Marty Ingels. In 1990, Marty and Shirley wrote a book about their life and their romance and marriage. The book is called "Shirley and Marty: An Unlikely Romance". Shirley continued to act and was recently on "The Drew Carey Show" (1995). In 1999, after almost 25 years of marriage, Shirley and Marty separated for six months due to tensions with her sons. Fortunately, Marty and Shirley reconciled and are still one of Hollywood's happiest married, if not odd couple, around.

IMDb Mini Biography By: CRR

Spouse

Marty Ingels	(13 November 1977 - present)
Jack Cassidy	(5 August 1956 - 26 May 1975) (divorced) 3 children

Trade Mark

Blonde hair

Trivia

Mother of Shaun Cassidy, Patrick Cassidy and Ryan Cassidy

Step-mother of actor David Cassidy

Winner of the 1952 Miss Pittsburgh Pageant

Miss Pennsylvania 1952 first runner-up; her prize was a two year scholarship to the drama school at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Graduated from South Huntingdon High in 1952

She was pregnant with son, Patrick Cassidy, during the filming of The Music Man (1962) in 1961. Special outfits were used to cover her showing stomach on the set.

She, along with Marty Ingels, attended the "Hollywood Collectors Show", at Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn, in North Hollywood, California.

Won the 1952 Miss Pittsburgh contest (the prize was $500 and a scholarship to drama school) and was first-runner-up in the Miss Pennsylvania pageant.

Received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Point Park College (Pittsburgh, PA)

Only child of Marjorie Williams, a strict strong-minded homemaker, and Paul Jones, owners of the Jones Brewing Company.

Featured performer at the 1988 Republican National Convention.

Received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Valentine's Day, 1986.

Filed a libel suit in 1985 against the National Enquirer after it wrote that she was "drinking vodka like it was water"; won a retraction and a settlement.

Son Shaun Cassidy - standing in for Shirley's deceased father - gave her away at her wedding to Marty Ingels.

Born at 5:30 AM EST.

Began her career on Broadway at 18 in the original production of "South Pacific" in 1952.

Jones and Ingels spent more than $100,000 to outbid two developers for a half-acre commercial lot in downtown Fawnskin, CA. They plan to turn it into a public park. [December 2001]

She and Hugh Jackman sang "People Will Say We're in Love" from Oklahoma! as Laurey and Curly respectively at the opening of Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia.

All 3 of her sons were delivered via Cesarean section.

Filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court from Marty Ingels, but later withdrew the petition. Conflict between Ingels and Jones's sons (his version) and his outrageous behavior (her version) have caused them to separate several times in recent years, the longest being for 10 months in 2000. [1 March 2002]

Had her first date with Jack Cassidy in Paris while both were touring in a European stage production of "Oklahoma!"

Had wanted to become a veterinarian.

Measurements: 34-21-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Although in many ways she's like her wholesome public image, she does have another side to her personality, which shows in her liking books on true crime.

Strongly considered for Roberta Hertzel in About Schmidt (2002), but lost to Kathy Bates. Shirley was very disappointed by the decision.

When asked which of her musicals was her favorite, she has said it was The Music Man (1962). While she says she has special memories of Oklahoma! (1955) because it was her first movie, Carousel (1956) is her favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein score.

Played by Dey Young in The David Cassidy Story (2000) (TV) and Eve Gordon in Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story (1999) (TV).

She and Elizabeth Taylor are the only actresses to win Oscars for playing prostitutes in the same year: Jones for Elmer Gantry (1960) (Best Supporting Actress) and Taylor for BUtterfield 8 (1960) (Best Actress).

Best known by the public for her starring role as Shirley Partridge on "The Partridge Family" (1970).

Admitted during the Oklahoma! (1955) commentary that, at one low point in her career when she wasn't getting as many movies and Jack Cassidy's Broadway career was faltering, she was seriously thinking of going back to school to become a veterinarian.

Her ex-"The Partridge Family" (1970), co-star and real-life stepson, David Cassidy, once admitted that he had a crush on her.

Is a vegetarian.

Was very disappointed that her show "The Partridge Family" (1970), was canceled after the fourth season. Her stepson and series co-star, David Cassidy, was growing tired of playing the same role, plus, the show had sunk in the ratings.

Remained good friends with David Cassidy before, during and after "The Partridge Family" (1970).

Was/is best friends with: Eddie Albert, Florence Henderson, Ron Howard, Gordon MacRae and his wife Sheila MacRae, Jean Simmons, Rod Steiger and Oscar Hammerstein.

Turned down the role of Carol Brady on "The Brady Bunch" (1969).

Has nine grandchildren: Caitlin Cassidy (b. 1981), John Cassidy (b. 1985), Juliet (b. 1998), Caleb (b. 2005), Roan (b. 2006), Lila (b. 2008) and Mairin (2011) via her son Shaun Cassidy, and Cole (b. 1995) and Jack (b. 1998) via her son Patrick Cassidy.

Personal Quotes

After I won the Oscar, my salary doubled, my friends tripled, my children became more popular at school, my butcher made a pass at me, and my maid hit me up for a raise.

"The show killed my movie career" - on "The Partridge Family" (1970).

"Jack had a breakdown. A real mental breakdown. He was manic depressive. But he was the one that wanted the divorce. He thought it was better for me and the kids. I never did. I would have hung in there. I felt in many ways he was acting strangely and doing strange things and he felt perhaps it was better for all of us" - on the end of her marriage to Jack Cassidy.

"You don't throw away 27 years. You just don't" - on why she withdrew her divorce petition against Marty Ingels.

It's astonishing to see how many of these Hollywood big-wigs are trying to undermine President Bush.

"Some people pooh-pooh the Oscar. My career had been over because they weren't making musicals anymore. At the time, it was thought that if you were a singer you couldn't act." (on how winning an Oscar changed her life.)

My policy is just one step at a time.

He was a very, very strong force in my life. As a matter of fact, I never fell out of love with a man - on the death of Jack Cassidy.

I was very worried about David, because as I said, he'd showed up on a Monday with no sleep, becoming terrified with the fans, becoming terrified with the press, wanting to hide his trailer, every minute. - on the cancellation of "The Partridge Family" (1970).

He came to respect me, he loved me, and vice-versa. We had our moments, because David had some disciplinary problems. He would show up late for work on Mondays, and keep the whole crew waiting, you know, for hours, and not to my liking or anybody else's. So, that had to be addressed and it was, until we got to know each other. - on her on- and off-screen chemistry with David Cassidy who played Keith Partridge.

I have been coming every Friday night to watch the taping. I have never done that in my life. It is so exciting for me because the whole family is involved. - when she watched "Ruby & the Rockits" (2009), a short-lived sitcom that co-starred her stepson, David Cassidy and son, Patrick Cassidy.

(Who's been a singer all her life): But I never sang pop songs with bands or made records; I was a show singer. I made albums - 'Oklahoma!,' 'Carousel,' 'Music Men.' But I never sang the songs apart from the shows.

We love kid food, hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

(On her popularity of playing the thirty-five-something "Shirley Partridge" on "The Partridge Family" (1970)): I love the work, it's almost like playing myself. Shirley Partridge could just as easily be Shirley Cassidy. It's like going into my own home everyday. The thing I don't like is getting up at 5:30 everyday and getting home at 7.

(Who talked about preparing for a family transportation to drive on the set of "The Partridge Family" (1970)): It's me and the five children.

(On starring in "The Partridge Family" (1970)): It's tough to do. Not only 5 kids and five singing kids, but we do a new song every week - completely arranged and choreographed. Put that into a four-day schedule and try and do it.

I was able to teach Shaun that stardom was really a business of fantasy - a business for children - and the wonderful part, when one realizes the realities of it, is that it is fine to be another character for 12 hours, and then go home and face reality.

(Who let her ex-husband Jack Cassidy be the head of the family): Of course, I've always been independent because of my profession. But I like knowing that Jack is there to make decisions.

(Of David Cassidy): He has his own agent and didn't even know I was set for the lead. Nor did the producer realize he was Jack's son until after he read so well that he wanted to test David for the part. Then, he told me he was considering David for the role of my son. He asked me how I felt about it. I said, 'Great! I am crazy about him. He's very talented.' Then, he went back to David and told him, 'Your stepmother is going to play the lead.' How do you feel about that? And he replied, 'I think it's great!

(In 1971): David read for the part of the boy in "The Partridge Family" (1970), and when they found out that he was a relative of mine, they asked about my reaction. A lot of times they're very wary of relatives. I told them, 'I love David, but you must pick who's best for the show. As it turned out, of course, he was the best of the lot.

(In 1970): At first, my folks felt that Jack was just an infatuation, but when they realized I'd really made up my mind, they didn't stand in my way.

At this time in my life, it is fun to play the opposite of me. I just played an alcoholic nightclub singer on "The Cleaner" (2008). So, as much as I enjoyed "The Partridge Family" (1970), these days I want to go totally against type. That is what acting is all about - on playing a guest character on "Ruby & the Rockits" (2009) that is not "Shirley Partridge", in 2009.

No, it had nothing to do with jealousy. It had to do with the fact that he thought David was selling out. He called him a monkey in a cage. He lost respect for what David was doing. David started on Broadway and Jack respected his talent. He wanted him to be an actor. He thought by doing what David was doing, that he would end up exactly as he ended up. He had to start all over again.

Jack was an incredible human being. Incredibly talented, number one! He had this charisma that, when he walked in the room, not only women fell all over him, but men did too. He attracted everybody. He had a great, great sense of humor, which of course was the first attraction for me. Obviously I'm attracted to men with a sense of humor! (Laughs) That's the biggest thing. Not to mention he was as handsome as he was. For me, that was the least of it. The fact that he could make jokes about himself and that he didn't take himself that seriously made him interesting and exciting.

I don't think I would have brought the same understanding to either of these parts, though, if I had not been married and secure as a wife and mother. When I met Jack, I was very naive. As a man of the world, he led me gently.

(Shirley and Cassidy) loved performing together. A lot of married couple don't, you know. Strangely enough, we were when we were performing together than on a day to day basis. When we were on stage we were the couple on the wedding cake. I know I would never have divorced him if he had not wanted it.

Jack wanted to come back to me right up to the day he died. And I wanted him. That's the terrible part. Much as I love Marty and have a wonderful relationship - I'd say this with Marty sitting here, I'm not sure is Jack were alive I'd be married to Marty.

Right then and there, I began to re-evaluate my theory about good-looking men. Soon I discovered the sensitive understanding, the influence everything Jack said and did. And then I fell in love with his Irish humor- and with him. All this took less than a week!

I've simply have a marvelous husband, Jack Cassidy. He is a singer and actor. he's a sensible and mature man., seven years older than I am. We toured in Oklahoma! together, and for a while he was reluctant to marry a girl in show business- you know, two careers in the same family and all that. But love won out and we've been married since 1956. WE have two delightful boys-, Shuan who is four and Patrick who is one, and all we need now is a little girl.

It wasn't until I met Jack that I found someone who understood me and the problems and inequities of the business. He didn't object to me working. He was anxious for my happiness and realized that my personal achievement was part of it. You can't take a girl like me who's been singing since she was a child, who has been in show business since she was a teenager, who has the business coursing in her blood-you can't take a girl like that and use marriage as a substitute. Businessmen don't understand that. But Jack, no matter what his success, wouldn't ever make that demand.

[Jack and Shirley on the holidays] We always have roast turkey. A big one! Jack likes to make the stuffing, usually the giblets. He's an excellent cook. Then we have mashed potatoes with chopped onions, homemade gravy, tiny peas with new onions, hot biscuits-and mashed rutabaga, an addition because of Jack's German heritage. I also make coleslaw, which he likes. For desert, hot mince meat or lemon meringue pie. Jack likes the mincemeat: the lemon is my favorite. And the boys take after me in this department.

I've tried to bring all the things I loved about Christmas into my children's Christmases. Fortunately, Jack and I feel the same way. We don't have big family gatherings anymore. When we were first married and lived in a New York apartment, we used to collect all of the stragglers from out of town and I'd cook a big Christmas dinner for all of us.

Jack was brought up in the European tradition of opening presents Christmas Eve, so he and I exchange out personal gift at that time.

The only thing that bugs Jack is if he's not working. He can't stand inactivity or hanging around the house doing nothing but waiting. He's got to work, got to contribute. So long as he does that, everything is fine. No actor likes not to work. But Jack doesn't have any complex about being called, 'Mr. Shirley Jones'