- Born
- Birth nameDonna Ruth McKechnie
- Donna McKechnie was born on November 16, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She is an actress, known for Dark Shadows (1966), The Little Prince (1974) and Fame (1982). She was previously married to Michael Bennett and Al Schwartz.
- SpousesMichael Bennett(December 4, 1976 - April 1977) (divorced)Al Schwartz(April 1966 - 1970) (divorced)
- In the late 70s she was forced to abandon the limelight when she became nearly paralyzed by rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors told her she may never walk again, let alone dance. Thanks to intense physical therapy and proper nutrition, she battled back and miraculously returned to perform the "Chorus Line" role of Cassie again in 1983 at age 43.
- The night her father died, Sir Laurence Olivier was in the audience of a performance of "A Chorus Line". Donna went on, claiming that the only way she could cope was to go on with the show. When she was doing a production of "Sweet Charitiy", she learned that longtime friend and former husband Michael Bennett had died of AIDS. Again, she went on for the performance, claiming it helped her deal with his death and Michael would have wanted her to.
- Bob Fosse died shortly before the curtain went up on his last successful musical venture, the revival of "Sweet Charity", starring Donna in the title role.
- The character of Maggie in "A Chorus Line" is partially based on her childhood.
- Made her Broadway debut in 1961 in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
- I was terribly shy, but I was always in harmony when I was dancing.
- "Once, I was out of a job and I was really scared because I couldn't pay the rent...I was cleaning the apartment, crying and feeling sorry for myself...The game show Jeopardy! (1964) was on [and] I heard my name. I looked up and I was the answer to a question. It was so ironic".
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