Gwen Verdon (January 16, 1925 - October 18, 2000) was considered Broadway's best dancer in the 1950s and '60s. With flaming red hair and an ill-mannered attitude, she had a rough marriage to Bob Fosse for quite some time. Gwen is best known as Lola in Damn Yankees.

Verdon was born in Culver City, California. As a child, she had to wear leg braces, and people called her Gimpy. She started dancing in hopes to strengthen her legs, but little did she know she would turn out to become a famous Broadway star. In 2000, Broadway theatres dimmed their lights at 8 p.m. the night she passed, in honor of this great actress.