A rave review from New York columnist Walter Winchell, who saw them perform in Atlantic City, New Jersey, led to a booking at the Palace Theatre in New York City, the pinnacle of the vaudeville world. He and his sister, Vilma Ebsen, performed as a dance act in supper clubs and in vaudeville, where they were known as “The Baby Astaires.” On Broadway, the Ebsens appeared as members of the chorus in the musicals Whoopee, Flying Colors, and Ziegfeld Follies of 1934. He worked at a soda fountain shop by day. Family financial problems caused by the collapse of the Florida land boom forced Ebsen to leave college at age 20.Įbsen left Orlando in the summer of 1928 and attempted to work as a dancer in New York City, arriving with only $26.75 in his pocket. Initially interested in a medical career, Ebsen attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, from 1926 to 1927, and then Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, from 1927 to 1928. Ebsen graduated from Orlando High School in 1926. He also played football his senior year and began writing songs in high school. He participated on the team for all four years of high school and became a Florida State Champion.

Here, Ebsen and his sisters learned to dance at a dance studio his father operated in Orlando.ĭespite being an average student at Orlando High School, Ebsen was a member of the swimming team. In 1920, Ebsen and his family relocated to Orlando, Florida, to help ease his mother’s aggravated sickness. Buddy’s mother, Frances, was a painter of Latvian descent.Įbsen was raised in Belleville until the age of 10, when his family moved to Palm Beach County, Florida. He was also a physical fitness advocate for the local school district before he operated a natatorium. While he was slated to appear in one of the greatest films ever made, his career took a completely different, albeit still successful, turn.Ī middle child with four sisters, Buddy Ebsen was born Christian Ludolf Ebsen, Jr., on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois. His Danish father, Christian Ludolf Ebsen, Sr., was a choreographer, who once owned a dance studio. To me, one of the most endearing stars working during Hollywood’s Golden Age was Buddy Ebsen. After maintaining a musical act with his sister for several years, Ebsen’s song-and-dance routines soon graced the silver screen. “Remember that of all the elements that comprise a human being, the most important, the most essential, the one that will sustain, transcend, overcome and vanquish obstacles, is spirit!” –Buddy Ebsen

Buddy ebsen