There was a time when Billy Rose — Broadway producer, impresario, lyricist, columnist, and all-around theatrical showman — was a leading figure on Broadway. Born 125 years ago on September 6, 1899, he, is now known mostly for two things: He was the third and final husband of “Funny Girl” Fanny Brice (she was his first of four wives), and he gives his name to The Billy Rose Theatre Division of The New York Public Library at Lincoln Center, one of the largest and most comprehensive archives devoted to the theatrical arts. The photograph of Rose is from that archive — as are all the photographs below, of Sarah Bernhardt and Edwin Booth, Denzel Washington and Audra McDonald.
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Billy Rose was more! Ever hear of “Carmen Jones” (1943) for example, or “We Will Never Die” (also 1943) or the show Jumbo (1935), or the Aquacade at the 1939 Worlds Fair or his true love the swimmer Eleanor Holme, or the Billy Rose sculpture Garden, or the many songs he helped write. And More!