Who is Shirley Jones?

Shirley Jones (born Shirley Mae Jones on March 31, 1934) is an American actress celebrated as a musical star in the 1950s and early 1960s. Later, she became widely recognized for her role as Shirley Partridge in the television sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74). Jones's early talent as a singer led her to study theatre and perform with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. She gained national fame after playing Laurey in Oklahoma! (1955). Her performance in Elmer Gantry (1960) won her an Academy Award for best supporting actress.

For what kind of work is Shirley Jones best known?

Shirley Jones is an American actress celebrated as a musical star from the 1950s to the early 1960s. She gained wider recognition as Shirley Partridge in the TV sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74), where she played the matriarch of a singing family. Before The Partridge Family , Jones starred in film adaptations of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals like Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956). In 1961, she won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in Elmer Gantry (1960).

What famous musicals did Shirley Jones act in?

Shirley Jones is an American actress celebrated as a musical star of the 1950s and early 60s. Jones gained national recognition for her role as Laurey in Oklahoma! (1955). Following this success, she played Julie in Carousel (1956). In 1962, Jones starred as Marian the librarian in The Music Man .

Which TV show made Shirley Jones popular with younger audiences?

Shirley Jones gained popularity with younger audiences for her role as Shirley Partridge in the television sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74). Before this role, Jones was known as a musical star in the 1950s and early 60s, appearing in film versions of Oklahoma! and The Music Man . She was twice nominated for Golden Globe Awards for The Partridge Family .

What awards or honors has Shirley Jones won in her career?

Shirley Jones, born on March 31, 1934, is an American actress celebrated as a musical star and for her role in The Partridge Family . Jones's awards include: * Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Elmer Gantry (1960). * Golden Globe nominations in 1971 and 1972 for her role in The Partridge Family .

How did Shirley Jones influence American film and television?

Shirley Jones significantly impacted American film and television through her musical talent and acting roles. Initially a star in musicals like Oklahoma! (1955) and The Music Man (1962), she showcased her versatility by winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Elmer Gantry (1960). Jones achieved further fame as Shirley Partridge in The Partridge Family (1970–74), earning two Golden Globe nominations for the role and becoming a beloved figure in family television. Her career spanned various TV series, including Shirley and recurring roles in The Drew Carey Show and Raising Hope , demonstrating her lasting influence and adaptability in the entertainment industry.

Shirley Jones

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Gordon MacRae stands beside Shirley Jones, who is seated on a carousel horse, in a scene from the 1956 film Carousel directed by Henry King.

Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones in Elmer Gantry

Shirley Jones and Robert Preston in period costumes walk arm in arm in front of a marching band in red uniforms in a scene from the film The Music Man.

Quick Facts

In full:: Shirley Mae Jones

Born:: March 31, 1934, Charleroi, Pennsylvania, U.S. (age 92)

Awards And Honors:: Academy Award (1961); Academy Award (1961): Actress in a Supporting Role

Married To:: Jack Cassidy (1956–1975); Marty Ingels (1977–2015 [his death])

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Family Weekend" (2013); "The Bob Hope Show" (1972); "McMillan & Wife" (1977); "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1963); "Burke's Law" (1994–1995); "Generic Thriller" (2009); "The Music Man" (1962); "Lux Video Theatre" (1957); "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2003); "The Love Boat" (1983); "Heaven Help Us" (1994); "April Love" (1957); "Gideon" (1998); "General Hospital" (2014); "Over the Garden Wall" (2014); "Never Steal Anything Small" (1959); "L'intrigo" (1964); "Murder, She Wrote" (1988–1990); "The Drew Carey Show" (1998–1999); "Ruby & the Rockits" (2009); "Victorious" (2012); "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" (1964); "Carousel" (1956); "Playhouse 90" (1956); "Grandma's Boy" (2006); "The Danny Thomas Hour" (1967); "The Happy Ending" (1969); "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" (1999); "Tank" (1984); "Eco-Teens Save the World!" (2018); "The Adventures of Cinderella's Daughter" (2000); "Rebound" (1952); "Manna from Heaven" (2002); "The Comedy Spot" (1962); "Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family" (2001); "The United States Steel Hour" (1957–1960); "The Partridge Family" (1970–1974); "Disneyland" (1982); "Fluffy" (1965); "Cougar Town" (2013); "Gruen Guild Playhouse" (1952); "Bobbikins" (1959); "The Cheyenne Social Club" (1970); "Elmer Gantry" (1960); "El golfo" (1969); "Shirley" (1979–1980); "Empty Nest" (1991); "Raising Genius" (2004); "The Secret of My Success" (1965); "The Cleaner" (2009); "The Middle Ages" (2015); "Make Room for Daddy" (1959); "The Slap Maxwell Story" (1988); "Bedtime Story" (1964); "Dark of Night" (1953); "The DuPont Show of the Month" (1958); "The Creature of the Sunny Side Up Trailer Park" (2006); "Ping!" (2000); "The Name of the Game" (1969); "A Ticklish Affair" (1963); "Waiting in the Wings: The Musical" (2014); "Women of the House" (1995); "Sesame Street" (2006); "Days of Our Lives" (2008); "Childrens Hospital" (2016); "A Strange Brand of Happy" (2013); "Hot in Cleveland" (2013); "Two Rode Together" (1961); "Deadly Games" (1995); "Premiere" (1968); "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" (1979); "Something So Right" (1996–1997); "Oklahoma!" (1955); "Good Luck Charlie" (2012); "Pepe" (1960); "That '70s Show" (2000); "Hotel" (1983–1987); "Monarch Cove" (2006); "Fireside Theatre" (1950); "Melrose Place" (1998); "Raising Hope" (2011–2014)

Shirley Jones

American actress

Also known as: Shirley Mae Jones

Written by

Patricia Bauer

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 22, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who is Shirley Jones?
Shirley Jones (born Shirley Mae Jones on March 31, 1934) is an American actress celebrated as a musical star in the 1950s and early 1960s. Later, she became widely recognized for her role as Shirley Partridge in the television sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74).

Jones's early talent as a singer led her to study theatre and perform with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. She gained national fame after playing Laurey in Oklahoma! (1955). Her performance in Elmer Gantry (1960) won her an Academy Award for best supporting actress.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Shirley Jones: Facts & Related Content
2. Shirley Jones
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
For what kind of work is Shirley Jones best known?
Shirley Jones is an American actress celebrated as a musical star from the 1950s to the early 1960s. She gained wider recognition as Shirley Partridge in the TV sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74), where she played the matriarch of a singing family.

Before The Partridge Family, Jones starred in film adaptations of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals like Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956). In 1961, she won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in Elmer Gantry (1960).
2 Britannica Sources
1. Shirley Jones: Facts & Related Content
2. Shirley Jones
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What famous musicals did Shirley Jones act in?
Shirley Jones is an American actress celebrated as a musical star of the 1950s and early 60s.

Jones gained national recognition for her role as Laurey in Oklahoma! (1955). Following this success, she played Julie in Carousel (1956). In 1962, Jones starred as Marian the librarian in The Music Man.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Which TV show made Shirley Jones popular with younger audiences?
Shirley Jones gained popularity with younger audiences for her role as Shirley Partridge in the television sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74). Before this role, Jones was known as a musical star in the 1950s and early 60s, appearing in film versions of Oklahoma! and The Music Man. She was twice nominated for Golden Globe Awards for The Partridge Family.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Shirley Jones: Facts & Related Content
2. Shirley Jones
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What awards or honors has Shirley Jones won in her career?
Shirley Jones, born on March 31, 1934, is an American actress celebrated as a musical star and for her role in The Partridge Family.

Jones's awards include:
* Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Elmer Gantry (1960).
* Golden Globe nominations in 1971 and 1972 for her role in The Partridge Family.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Shirley Jones: Facts & Related Content
2. Shirley Jones
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Shirley Jones influence American film and television?
Shirley Jones significantly impacted American film and television through her musical talent and acting roles. Initially a star in musicals like Oklahoma! (1955) and The Music Man (1962), she showcased her versatility by winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Elmer Gantry (1960).

Jones achieved further fame as Shirley Partridge in The Partridge Family (1970–74), earning two Golden Globe nominations for the role and becoming a beloved figure in family television. Her career spanned various TV series, including Shirley and recurring roles in The Drew Carey Show and Raising Hope, demonstrating her lasting influence and adaptability in the entertainment industry.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Shirley Jones: Facts & Related Content
2. Shirley Jones
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Shirley Jones (born March 31, 1934, Charleroi, Pennsylvania, U.S.) is an American actress who was a musical star in the 1950s and early ’60s before becoming better known for her role as Shirley Partridge, the matriarch of a family singing group, in the television sitcom The Partridge Family (1970–74).

Jones, who was named after child star Shirley Temple, showed early talent as a singer and began taking voice lessons as a child. Following high school she studied theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and performed with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. She auditioned in New York City for Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who were so impressed that they signed her to a seven-year contract. She had a small part (1953–54) in the Broadway musical South Pacific (1949–54) and was catapulted into national fame when she played the role of Laurey in Oklahoma! (1955), the film version of the smash-hit Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical. Jones performed as Julie, the female lead in Carousel (1956), the next Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to be adapted for film. She also appeared on such anthology television shows as Playhouse 90 and Lux Video Theatre, and she performed opposite Pat Boone in the movie musical April Love (1957) and with James Cagney in Never Steal Anything Small (1959). Jones played her first dramatic role, that of a good girl who becomes a prostitute out for revenge, in Richard Brooks’s Elmer Gantry (1960), based on the 1927 novel by Sinclair Lewis. Her performance earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She then played an ingénue opposite Richard Widmark in the John Ford western Two Rode Together (1961) before returning to her roots with a winning performance as Marian, the librarian, in the musical The Music Man (1962).

Jones appeared with Glenn Ford and Ron Howard in Vincente Minnelli’s The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963), with Marlon Brando and David Niven in Bedtime Story (1964), and with Tony Randall in Fluffy (1965). She also acted in Brooks’s melodrama The Happy Ending (1969) and in Gene Kelly’s western comedy The Cheyenne Social Club (1970), where she played the operator of a brothel, and she appeared in such TV movies as But I Don’t Want to Get Married! (1970). Jones was twice nominated (1971 and 1972) for Golden Globe Awards for her role in The Partridge Family. Thereafter she mostly worked in television. She starred in the unsuccessful TV series Shirley (1979–80) and played recurring characters on The Slap Maxwell Story (1987–88), The Drew Carey Show (1995–2004), and Raising Hope (2010–14), and in 2008 she appeared in a story arc on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. In addition, she performed in the film Grandma’s Boy (2006) as well as the TV movie The Irresistible Blueberry Farm (2016).

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