Meet the Farnsworth School student who had famous dance career 

by FRANK SUERTH

Ninety-nine-year-old George Zima has fond memories of growing up in Jefferson Park, going to movies at the Times, Jeff and Gateway theaters, and attending Farnsworth Elementary School and Taft High School.

George and family lived in the 5400 block of North Linder Avenue, directly across the street from Farnsworth.

In 1934, his older sister Mildred began taking dancing lessons and would come home to teach George some of the moves she had learned.

George’s first professional job came in 1940, when he performed with the Midshipman Band, the marching band of Navy trainees, at the age of 14. George also performed on the cheerleading squad at Taft High School during the early 1940s.

During the war years, George and his sister traveled around the country performing as George and Mickey Winters in USO shows, at Navy bases, hospitals, nightclubs, and even in a Christmas show at Alcatraz. The duo also performed at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.

After the war, Mildred taught dance in the public schools and eventually opened her own dance studio.
George, meanwhile, attended Northwestern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1951 and a master’s degree in school administration in 1955.

It was not long before Broadway came calling.

In 1958, George landed a dancing role as a replacement in “Li’l Abner” at the St. James Theatre. He next appeared in “The Most Happy Fella,” which opened on February 10, 1959, at City Center in New York.

He then spent three years with “Gypsy,” starring Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman, at the Broadway Theatre, where it opened on May 21, 1959. In 1960, he appeared in the television film “Peter Pan,” starring Mary Martin.

He later performed in “Milk and Honey,” starring Molly Picon, which opened on October 10, 1961, at the Martin Beck Theatre, and finally in “Pal Joey,” which opened on May 29, 1963, at City Center in New York City.

George Zima did not hang up his dancing shoes after Broadway.

He danced for three years on “The Captain Kangaroo Show,” appeared on “The Perry Como Show,” and played Pete the Street Sweeper on “Sesame Street.”

Along the way, he met many major stars, including Betty White, Dick Van Dyke, and Jackie Gleason.
Dancing was only part of George Zima’s life.

He also built a career as a teacher and principal. Today, George lives in Winfield, Illinois, where he is enjoying retirement.

Editor’s note: This story is provided by the Northwest Chicago Historical Society. www.nwchicagohistory.org

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