Vivian Blaine

Blaine was a starlet at 20th Century-Fox, appearing in many musical comedy films, including Jitterbugs (1943), Greenwich Village (1944), and State Fair (1945).

She originated the role in 1950 on Broadway and stopped the show each night with her rendition of "Adelaide's Lament," in which she complains about having a bad cold because of her long engagement to gambler Nathan Detroit. Ms. Blaine also originated roles on Broadway in "Say Darling" and "Enter Laughing. " She also starred on Broadway in "Hatful of Rain," "Company," and, briefly, in "Zorba. " She starred in many national tours, including "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Don't Drink the Water," "Hello Dolly," and "Gypsy. " Before going to Broadway, Ms.

In the mid 1950s, Ms.

In 1952, three actresses were included by the Fashion Academy of New York in its list of the eight best-dressed women of America: Ann Sheridan, Vivian Blaine, and Betty Furness.

Ms. Blaine is most noted for having portrayed Miss Adelaide, the long-suffering, perpetually engaged chorus girl, in the Broadway and film versions of Guys and Dolls (1955).

Blaine reprised her role as Adelaide in the film version of Guys and Dolls (1955) with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando.

Married three times. First husband was Manny Franks, her agent, who was 20 years older than she. Second husband was Milton Rachmil, the head of Universal Pictures and Decca Records, who wanted an at-home trophy wife; the marriage didn't last long, also ending in divorce court. Third husband was businessman Stuart Clark, who started to supervise her career and revived it on 1970s TV. He was 13 years her junior.

After her Broadway appearance in "Company" in 1972, she appeared on national television at the 25th Tony anniversary special.

From 1973 until 1983, she appeared on many "Best Dressed Women in America" lists.