Celebrated for her remarkable voice and down-to-earth charm in the film adaptations of Oklahoma! and Carousel, Shirley Jones has captivated audiences for over seven decades. She made a seamless transition from the stage to delightful movie musicals and compelling dramas, earning an Academy Award for her role in Elmer Gantry. However, at 90, she is perhaps best known as the beloved matriarch of the hit television series The Partridge Family, where she became a symbol of warmth, love, and music in the early 1970s.
Join us as we explore the life, loves, and career of Shirley Jones, whose lasting legacy continues to inspire and enchant us all.
Born on March 31, 1934, Shirley Jones was named after the famous child star Shirley Temple. When she was just a toddler, her family moved to the small town of Smithton, where her father helped run the family brewery, the Jones Brewing Company (which still operates today as Stoney’s Beer). At the age of six, Shirley began singing in the Methodist Church choir and took voice lessons in her hometown.
Believe it or not, the talented singer initially aspired to be a veterinarian during her teenage years. “I adored animals, raised everything in the world, and decided that was going to be my path. But I could sing,” Jones shared during an interview on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
However, acting also piqued her interest. While attending South Huntingdon High School in Ruffs Dale, Pennsylvania, she participated in school plays. In 1952, she won the Miss Pittsburgh contest and landed a small role in Gruen Guild Playhouse.
#1. Shirley Jones takes on Broadway
In 1953, during a post-high school graduation trip to New York City with her parents, Shirley Jones was introduced to an agent by a friend. The agent was immediately impressed and encouraged her to audition for John Fearnley, the casting director for the famous songwriting duo Rodgers and Hammerstein.
After her audition, Fearnley asked, “What have you done?” When she replied, “Nothing,” he called over Richard Rodgers, who was rehearsing with his orchestra across the street, followed by Oscar Hammerstein.
This serendipitous encounter marked Jones’ fortuitous introduction to the Broadway legends, who would become her mentors. They recognized her potential so strongly that Jones became the first and only singer to be put under a personal contract with the songwriting duo.
“I was a small-town girl and had no idea who Rodgers and Hammerstein even were,” she admitted in an interview with Closer. “Two weeks later, I was in my first Broadway show, South Pacific.”
For her second Broadway production, Me and Juliet, Jones advanced to a chorus girl role and later became the understudy for the lead in Chicago. Her talent soon caught the attention of movie producers, and she was dubbed “Hollywood’s new Cinderella,” as she recounts in her self-titled memoir. From there, Jones quickly rose to become a Hollywood icon, a status she has maintained ever since.
#2. Shirley Jones Movies and TV Shows
With a career spanning several decades, let’s take a look at some of Shirley Jones’ most iconic roles and career-defining moments.
#3. Shirley Jones in 1955
With a career spanning several decades, let’s take a look at some of Shirley Jones’ most iconic roles and career-defining moments.
#4. 1956
Another significant musical in Shirley Jones’ career was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, where she once again starred alongside Gordon MacRae.
#5. Shirley Jones in 1956
On August 5, 1956, Shirley Jones married actor, singer, and Tony Award winner Jack Cassidy, whom she had met as a 21-year-old small-town girl. In her memoir, Jones reflects on their relationship, stating, “He taught me a lot about everything.” Together, they raised four sons: David Cassidy, Jack’s son from his first marriage, and their three sons, Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan Cassidy.
While Hollywood was aware of Jack’s infidelities, it was his struggles with alcohol that ultimately led to their divorce in 1975. In December 1976, Jack invited Shirley for drinks to discuss reconciliation, but she declined. Tragically, that night, he fell asleep with a lit cigarette and perished in a fire that engulfed his penthouse apartment. He was only 49 years old.
#6. 1957
Shirley Jones starred alongside Pat Boone in the 1957 musical film April Love. The film showcased their chemistry and musical talents, further solidifying Jones’s reputation as a leading lady in Hollywood’s musical landscape.
#7. Shirley Jones in 1959
The 1959 film Bobbikins featured Shirley Jones and Max Bygraves as parents to a toddler who surprises them by engaging in adult conversations with his father. The charming premise added a whimsical touch to the family comedy, highlighting Jones’s ability to balance humor and heart in her performances.
#8. 1960
In the 1960 film Elmer Gantry, Shirley Jones portrayed a vengeful prostitute, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Starring alongside Burt Lancaster and directed by Richard Brooks, Jones’s powerful performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, marking a significant milestone in her career.
#9. Shirley Jones in 1960
Shirley Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1960 for her role in Elmer Gantry. Reflecting on her career, she remarked, “It was difficult to get work. I was doing a lot of movies for television, but the big screen was not as easy.”
Jones had to advocate for herself to be recognized as a serious actress, ultimately securing the pivotal role in Elmer Gantry.
#10. 1961
Shirley Jones starred in the 1961 western Two Rode Together, alongside James Stewart and Richard Widmark.
#11. Shirley Jones in 1962
One of Jones’ most iconic roles was in The Music Man, where she portrayed Marian, the librarian and piano teacher who falls in love with Robert Preston’s character.
#12. 1964
Marlon Brando and Shirley Jones shine in the film Bedtime Story.
#13. Shirley Jones in 1970
Shirley Jones appeared in the 1970 western The Cheyenne Social Club, starring alongside James Stewart and Henry Fonda.
#14. 1970
By 1970, Shirley Jones was a mother of three young boys and sought a role that would allow her to stay closer to home. She was offered, but ultimately turned down, the role of Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch, a part that went to her best friend, Florence Henderson. “I didn’t want to be the mom pulling the roast out of the oven,” she explained to Closer. She recognized that Carol Brady was one of the first working mother roles on TV without a husband, viewing it as a significant step forward.
Instead, Jones took on the role of a widowed mother in the hit series The Partridge Family, which aired for four years. Her stepson, David Cassidy, portrayed the oldest of her five children in a family embarking on a musical career. This role showcased her singing and acting talents perfectly.
However, Jones often feels the need to remind fans that the show was fiction. “No mother is perfect,” she insists. The episodes typically featured the band performing in various venues, including the family’s garage, sometimes with Shirley on drums. Who could forget the iconic theme song? “Hello world, hear the song that we’re singing; Come on, get happy.”
#15. Shirley Jones in 1977
In 1977, Jones married actor and comedian Marty Ingels. Their union raised eyebrows among Hollywood insiders and fans alike, given their drastically different personalities. Despite this, they remained together until Ingels’ death in 2015 from a massive stroke.
Their unlikely love story is captured in Jones’ autobiography, Shirley & Marty: An Unlikely Love Story. Reflecting on their relationship, she shared, “He often drove me crazy, but there’s not a day I won’t miss him and love him to my core. He made me laugh every single day and kept life from being boring.”
#16. 1979
In the 1979 disaster film Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, Jones shared the screen with familiar faces such as Sally Field and Angela Cartwright. The movie serves as a sequel to the iconic The Poseidon Adventure, continuing the thrilling story of survival following the capsizing of a luxury cruise ship.
#17. Shirley Jones in 2001
In addition to her artistic accomplishments, Shirley Jones has dedicated herself to philanthropy, utilizing her platform to create a positive impact on society. In this endeavor, she shared her bus-decorating expertise with a group of children, helping them put the finishing touches on a school bus.
#18. 2004
Jones made a rare appearance in a revival of the operetta Bitter Sweet and returned to Broadway in 2004 for a revival of 42nd Street, where she portrayed the role of diva Dorothy Brock. This marked a significant moment, as she starred alongside her son Patrick Cassidy, making them one of the first mother-son duos to share the Broadway stage together.
#19. Shirley Jones in 2006
Jones stepped outside her usual roles in the 2006 comedy film Grandma’s Boy, where she starred alongside Shirley Knight and Doris Roberts.
#20. 2008
Jones received nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy Award for her work in Hidden Places. In 2008, she also took on roles in Days of Our Lives and All My Children.
#21. Shirley Jones in 2019
Shirley Jones had the honor of presenting at the 2019 Tony Awards in New York City alongside Aasif Mandvi.
#22. 2023
In 2023, Shirley Jones and her son Shaun Cassidy participated in the TCM Classic Movie Festival, where they screened The Music Man.
What is Shirley Jones Doing Now?
Despite her lower profile in recent years, Jones has continued to stay active in her career. She is still producing new work and shows no signs of slowing down. True to the spirit of her iconic songs, “We get a happy feelin’ when we’re singing a song,” her melodious voice remains a cherished part of her legacy.
