Happy 60th Birthday, Rob Marshall! Born today in 1960 as Robert Doyle Marshall Jr., this American choreographer, producer and film and theater director knows a thing or two about musicals, thanks to his theatrical training and an ability to inspire by example.
Although Marshall was born in Madison, Wisconsin, he later grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the same street as Fred Rogers. Therefore, this literally, made them neighbors.
Marshall's father, Robert D. Marshall, was a professor and, later, a dean at the University of Pittsburgh.
Years later, Marshall graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School.
This was also the same high school that Jeff Goldblum and Curtis Martin attended. Martin would later go on to become a football running back for the New York Jets of the NFL.
Marshall later went on to study at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, of which is also in Pittsburgh. He eventually graduated in 1982. The school is one of only five schools within the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts.
Prior to his feature success, Marshall earned a reputation on Broadway as one of the finest choreographers working in the business.
This was thanks to his work on such hits as "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1993), "Damn Yankees" (1994) and "Cabaret" (1998).
During this time, Marshall was the choreographer of the 1997 season for "Damn Yankees!".
One year later, he was nominated for a 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Theatre.
The following year, Marshall made his screen debut with a television adaptation of the musical "Annie" (1999) for ABC. It starred Kathy Bates and later earned Marshall his first Emmy Award.
After establishing himself as a Tony Award-winning choreographer, Marshall made the rare transition to accomplished film director. This was with an acclaimed feature adaptation of a popular stage musical.
It was also the feature of which Marshall is best known for directing. This was the 2002 American/German/Canadian/British musical/crime film 'Chicago'.
Filmed in color (and black and white for a mock newsreel), the film explores themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Chicago during the Jazz Age.
'Chicago' was based on Bob Fosse ('Cabaret', 'All That Jazz') and American musical theatre lyricist Fred Ebb's 1975 stage musical of the same name.
The film was also based American playwright and screenwriter Maurine Dallas Watkins' 1926 play of the same name.
One year later, Marshall had been responsible for directing Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere in Golden Globe-winning performances for their roles in Chicago. This occurred at the 60th Golden Globe Awards in late January 2003.
Two months later, 'Chicago' won six Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Sound Mixing. This occurred at the 75th Academy Awards in late March 2003.
Two years later, Marshall made his first foray into non-musical territory. This was with the epic 2005 American romance/drama film 'Memoirs of a Geisha'.
The film was a solid take on American writer Arthur Golden's 1997 historical fiction novel of the same name, and allowed Marshall to put on his choreographer hat for an elaborate ceremonial dance.
Though not as revered or critically praised as 'Chicago', Marshall's second feature effort attracted Academy attention and informed critics that he was a legitimate talent.
Later that same year, Marshall was ranked in at #93 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. It is his first appearance on the list and he becomes one of very few to appear on it after their first film.
This was the eagerly-awaited 2009 British/American musical/romance drama film 'Nine'. It had been co-written by Anthony Minghella ('The English Patient') and Michael Tolkin '(The Rapture').
After 'Nine', Marshall was on firm ground to make his case for being one of Hollywood's premiere directors.
Throughout his career, Marshall had directed six actors in Oscar nominated performances: Renée Zellweger, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Penélope Cruz, and Meryl Streep. Zeta-Jones won for her performance in 'Chicago'.
Marshall been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award six times: as Best Choreographer, in 1993, along with his collaborator, American director and choreographer Vincent Paterson.
This was for "Kiss of the Spider Woman--The Musical;" in 1994, for "Damn Yankees!" and also for "She Loves Me;" in 1998 for "Cabaret;" and in 1999 for "Little Me".
Marshall was also nominated as Best Director (Musical), with collaborator Sam Mendes ('American Beauty', 'Skyfall'), for "Cabaret." Still, Marshall has yet to win.
Among his credits, Marshall is also known for directing 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), 'Into the Woods' (2014), and 'Mary Poppins Returns' (2018).
Marshall is currently directing the American musical fantasy film 'The Little Mermaid'.
Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, it is a live action/CGI adaptation of the 1989 animated film of the same name, which is itself based on Hans Christian Andersen's eponymous tale. It will star Halle Bailey as Ariel.
According to his personal life, Marshall is the brother of a twin sister named Maura.
Marshall is also a brother to a younger sister. This is American actress, director, choreographer, and creative consultant Kathleen Marshall.
Marshall currently lives in New York City, New York with his long-time partner, American actor and singer John DeLuca, a stage director and choreographer.
Marshall has been active from 1995–present.
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