Shirley Jones Biography

Shirley Jones was virtually unknown when Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein cast her as Laurie in the 1955 movie version of their hit stage musical Oklahoma!

She later played the same role on Broadway and established a career in both theater and the movies, including the musicals The Music Man (1962) and Carousel (1956, featuring a young Ron Howard). She won a 1960 Academy Award for her portrayal of a prostitute in the film Elmer Gantry (based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis and starring Burt Lancaster).

From 1970-74, Shirley Jones played Shirley Partridge on the TV show The Partridge Family, the role for which she is perhaps most remembered. On the show she was the single parent of a family “rock” act, mothering them while also singing in the band. The show co-starred Danny Bonaduce and her real-life stepson, early ’70s heartthrob David Cassidy. She was married to actor Jack Cassidy from 1956-74 and is also the mother of late ’70s heartthrob Shaun Cassidy.