Of modest beginnings, his father James was a factory worker and mother Pauline a maid and wardrobe mistress. Thanks for contacting us. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. 26, Filing All Rights Reserved. Let's stay updated! The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things," states Ben.On Broadway, Ben Vereen has appeared in Wicked, Fosse, I'm Not Rappaport, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin,Grind, Jelly's Last Jam and A Christmas Carol. Andrea Levy, Washington (5 matches): Phone Number, Email, Address - Spokeo. Andrea Townsley's The marriage, which produced son Ben Jr., lasted only a few years. Vereen subsequently sued for divorce a second time, stating his attorney in 1972 never followed up with the court to make sure the divorce was actually granted. Your email will be shared with newsone.com and subject to its, Happy Birthday, Whitney Houston! 56,366, This story has been shared 29,657 times. The 69-year-old actor had already initiated the lawsuit against Townsley, 66 and she wanted nearly $63,000 from her ex to cover her legal fees. What you need to know about same-sex divorce with child custody, 4 tips to help you stick to your shared parenting plan. The Community Mental Health Council awarded Ben with their 2004 Lifeline Celebration Achievement Award. Andrea Levy in Washington. His first attorney, John DiMascio, did not respond to messages seeking comment. 13,411, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved They had been Brooklyn teenagers in love, then parents far too young, and briefly, a married couple: Ben Vereen and Andrea Townsley Vereen. That was more than 50 years ago. Wed met in choir, Mr. Vereen, the actor, singer and dancer, said this week. She was really cute, and she could sing. There's nothing like a live audience. Played the character of E.L. "Tenspeed" Turner in the unrelated television shows. 29,657, This story has been shared 29,357 times. Ben Vereen is currently filed for divorce from Nancy Bruner. Twitter Inc. suspended the accounts of several prominent journalists alleging they were endangering the social networks billionaire owner Elon Musks family, This is according to reports in the media. Andrea Townsley is currently available. Ben was, Ben's Performing Arts High School classmates were. In 1989, he spearheaded his own organization, "Celebrities for a Drug Free America," which raised more than $300,000 for drug rehabilitation centres, educational programs and inner city community-based projects. Add an Affair, Check out our New "Top 10 Newest Celebrity Moms", Go To Andrea Townsley's ProfileGo To Ben Vereen's Profile. In 2009, he performed at the Inaugural Ball and entertained at the reopening of the Ford Theatre in Washington, D.C., which was attended by President Obama. Vereen and Andrea Townsley married in 1965 when they were both still teenagers. Vereen thought he had filed for divorce in New York in 1972, shortly before moving to LA and marrying his second wife, Nancy Bruner, in 1976. Celebrity Biographies Ben Vereen is divorced from Andrea Townsley. Sunshine said he had to balance the weight of the wealthier litigants wallet to determine how much to give Townsley for her legal bills. 27, Filing Nancy also supported Vereen, when in 1992, whilewalking along a dark road one morning near his Malibu home, he was struck by a large SUV and almost died: While the actor was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital, miraculously, his life was spared, although he was told that he would have to find another profession because he would never sing, much less walk or dance again. News24 reported that on late Thursday, reporters from publications including the Washington Post, the New York Times Mashable and. - IMDb Mini Biography By: I was like Mr. Inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, 2011. 11, US District Court for the Western District of Washington. It was Townsleys attorney, Harold Mayerson, who eventually tracked down the Aug. 21, 1974 judgement of divorce. In most cases, ending a marriage is tough for an Ohio couple. In 1972, Ben filed for divorce before he moved to Los Angeles and believed the action had been finalized. His own network television shows are Ben Vereen: His Roots (Seven Emmy Awards), Tenspeed and Brownshoe and You Write the Songs. Help us build our profile of Ben Vereen and Andrea Townsley! His role in Pippin garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for "Best Actor in a Musical. How do valuation issues affect mediation? Nancy and Ben Vereens daughter, Karon Vereen, co-founded Underground Museum with husband, Noah Davis. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in Cinematic Arts. Ben Vereens daughter, Karon is co-founded Underground Museum with her husband, Noah. Ben's son by his first wife, Benjamin "Benji" Vereen, Jr., 55, a dancer and choreographer, was found dead on 8 August 2020 after being missing from his home for several weeks. Questions worth asking potential divorce mediators. In 2001, Medgar Evers College created the Ben Vereen Scholarship for the Performing Arts, and in 2004, he received an Achievement in Excellence Award from his alma mater, the High School of the Performing Arts.Ben celebrated Eartha Kitt's 80th birthday in concert at Carnegie Hall to multiple standing ovations and in front of the Armed Forces for those men and women who have served in Iraq, truly a major highlight of his career. Relationship Statistics Details More about Andrea Townsley Less about Andrea Townsley edit Dating History Grid List Table #1 Ben Vereen 40 Andrea Townsley and Ben Vereen are He wound up entering a rehab facility in order to combat his addictions, and has since regained his spiritual balance. In brief snippets from the routines that made Fetchit famous (and infamous), Mr. Vereen also reveals the glowing pride of an entertainer whose gifts sometimes managed to transcend the offensive uses to which they were put." Help keep Ben Vereen and Andrea Townsley profile up to date. He also earned a coveted spot in the Casino Legends Hall of Fame. He attached a document showing that hed brought the first New York action in 1972, but his attorney, John DiMascio, never searched for paperwork to see if the first divorce was finalized, the decision says. 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Mayerson joked when asked how his client failed to remember that her divorce had already been granted. Ben Vereen must pay up in bizarre divorce mix-up | Page Six Ben Lost His Daughter, Naja In An Accident. Ten months after his doom-and-gloom prediction, Vereen was back on Broadway and co-starring with the late Gregory Hines in the Broadway hit Jellys Last Jam., SEE ALSO: Soul Food Stymies Low-Salt Efforts. It mystifies the court as to how these two parties, absent proof to the contrary, could forget that they had been divorced previously and then proceed to engage in significant litigation, he wrote in his ruling. Vereen who won a best actor in a musical Tony in 1973 for Pippin and who was nominated for an Emmy for his role as Chicken George in the groundbreaking TV miniseries Roots (1977) earned $166,000 in 2015 and has significant liabilities, according to the ruling. 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Filing He appears in two soon to be released features, 21 and a Wake-Up starring Faye Dunaway andMama, I Want to Sing! At age 65, he is the youngest man performing today. "She was a good mother. Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. A subscription to PACER is required. Ben met first wife Andrea Townsley when they were young and singing together at her father's Brooklyn church in the gospel choir. He left four children. [July 2005]. Friends with Jeff Goldblum and Brian Stokes Mitchell. This is always a dangerous idea, because it risks alientating the audience who wants to hear the melody of a familiar tune, but Vereen not only pulled it off, he left the audience wanting him to do moreThe lasting impression was of a man who loves life, wants you to love life, and has mastered both his medium and his message. He flirted with off notes and inventive runs during classics such as "My Funny Valentine." His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country's artistic legacy. 4 daughters (Kabara, Malaika, Naja, and Karon) with current wife. Was nominated the year before, in 1972, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "Jesus Christ, Superstar.". These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! Subscribe to Justia's Free Newsletters featuring summaries of federal and state court opinions. While Nancy and Vereen reportedly met on the set of one of his plays and tied the knot in July 1976, according to court papers, he and his estranged wife, Nancy, have been living separately since March of this year. If you put out good things, then you'll get good things back. Spokane Office 601 West 1st Avenue, Ste 1402 Spokane, WA 99201-3825 TEL (509) 570-7448 In June of 1992, he suffered a stroke following a minor car accident in which he hit his head on the steering wheel earlier that day. Is my retirement account marital property? Songstress Brenda Russells name has been tossed around, but at press time, this has not been confirmed. However, after his own diligent search, Townsleys attorney found the finalized divorce decree that had been granted in 1974. While Vereen was married once to Andrea Townsley back in 1966, theres now talk that there could be someone else waiting in the wings for the veteran performer. That number led to court files and the 1974 final judgment of divorce for Benjamin A. Vereen and Andrea Townsley Vereen. They had been divorced for 42 years. The presiding judge, after questioning how both parties could forget they had gone through a divorce all those years ago leading to such a costly second lawsuit, considered the income of both parties and ordered Vereento pay a sum of $10,000, giving an August 15 deadline. Toll Free:866-829-0717Phone:614-891-4230 Fax:614-891-4301, 2023 Treneff Cozza Law, LLC All Rights Reserved, Disclaimer| Site Map| Privacy Policy |Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters, Ben Vereen must pay up in bizarre divorce mix-up. videos, Login Tony Award-winning actor and legendary hoofer Ben Vereen (pictured) has decided to call his 36-year marriage a wrap, reports TMZ. His strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to reach out to his audiences and convey to them a deep feeling of understanding. When they found the ring photos, Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. At least one partner goes through the span of emotions, from denial and anger to, finally, acceptance. How old is Leslie Uggams now? Together, he and Nancy have endured the death of his 16-year-old daughter, Naja, who was killed when the vehicle she was a passenger in was struck by a tractor-traileron a New Jersey highway ramp back in 1987. Official Sites, Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1985. -The Star-LedgerAdditionally, Ben has a recurring role on the CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother, playing Wayne Brady's father. Prosper Africa Plans to Invest $170 million to Boost African Exports and U.S Investment by Savannah Energy Announces Termination of SPA for PETRONAS Chad and Cameroon Portfolio, INEC Disagrees with APC Candidate Tinubu on BVAS Comment at Chatham House, More Winners to emerge in the Ongoing Polaris Bank Save & Win Promo. Hennessey was unavailable to comment and Vereen did not return calls. Mom". Andrea Townsley is currently available. So in September, he sued Townsley for divorce, again. Born Benjamin Augustus Middleton on 10th October, 1946 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, USA, he is famous for Funny Lady in a career that spans 1965present. His zodiac sign is Libra. While filming Idlewild with the award winning group Outkast, Ben also served as the acting coach for both Andre 3000 and Big Boy. An Ohio attorney can be of invaluable assistance should there be confusion pertaining to a persons legal history. In 1972, Ben filed for divorce before he moved to Los Angeles and believed the action had been It taught me discipline, dedication and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me a lifetime. Ben Vereen Entertainment - Actor Why Famous: N/A Age: 47, Filing This story has been shared 56,366 times. In 2004, Ben was nominated for a "Career Achievement Award" by the Le Prix International Film Star Awards Organization.The lecture circuit has become an integral part of Ben's career, as he has become one of the Nations' most requested speakers among audiences of all ages. Ben recently starred in the world premier of Fetch Clay, Make Man directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) at the McCarter Theatre. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of Arizona, Emerson College, St. Francis College, and Columbia College in Chicago. The Tony Award-winning Pippin actor married Andrea Townsley in 1965 when he was 19 and she was just 14 and pregnant with their son. Why is Andrea Townsley and Ben Vereen are divorced. African-American actress and former model. This December, Nigerian Breweries through its brands is set to bring all the fun and excitement at Wonderland Lagos. Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Andrea Townsley. Publicity Listings In one scene, after Fetchit has been forced to acknowledge what he'd been, Vereen blinks three times, and actually manages to make a statement with each blink: The first acknowledges the charge, the second shows his pain at being reminded, and the third hopes to push away the memory." [June 2004], Currently playing the Wizard of Oz in the musical "Wicked" on Broadway. We think its unfortunate that the judge didnt award more, but we think the judge was balancing the interests as he saw them, Mayerson said. (grandchild). Ben Vereens Daughter, Karon Is An Artist. Ben and his band are currently touring his one man shows, "Ben Sings a Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. featuring the music of Sammy Davis Jr." and "Brooklyn to Broadway" at top performing arts centres. Andrea Townsley is divorced from Ben Vereen. And the couple remained together even during Vereens self-destructive plunge that resulted in an obsessionwith liquor and cocaine that he just could not shake. Name Meaning- Naja, Karon, Malaika, -Variety"As Fetchit, Ben Vereen creates a man who comports himself with dignity in hopes of negating all that he did before. in partnership with sanofi-aventis pharmaceuticals. Below are some of Ben's reviews from the show:"A seething resentment can be sensed underneath the wary cool with which Fetchit negotiates with Fox. The following documents for this case are available for you to view or download: Use the links below to access additional information about this case on the US Court's PACER system. But Vereen was still on the hook. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, The Best Actors from Entertainment to Movies & Television, Darryl Vereen Privacy Notice After many decades of searching, he finally traced his mother, Essie May Middleton (Pearson). Additional credits include: Anne Rice's Feast of All Saints(Showtime), Intruders They Are Among Us (Emmy nomination), Zoobilee Zoo, Faerie Tale Theatre's Puss N' Bootswith Gregory Hines, The Jesse Owens Story, Ellis Island (Golden Globe Nomination), Lost in London, and Salute to Liberty Special. Like our content? But I was home during the day, and she worked, I potty-trained him, weaned him off the bott. Sitemap, Your California Privacy Rights We've received your submission. Graduated from the New York's High School of the Performing Arts. Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. Terms of Use See The marriage, which produced son Ben Jr., lasted only a His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, Black history, motivational topics, recovery through physical and occupational therapy and the importance of continuing education - to name a few.Ben's gift of time has benefited many organizations. Find Andrea Levy's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading Join Facebook to connect with Andrea Vereen and others you may know. Ben is leading an ongoing diabetes awareness campaign called "S.T.A.N.D." Vereen, who is best known for his unforgettable portrayal of the character Chicken George in the 1977 epic saga Roots, reportedly filed a petition on Thursday Born Benjamin Augustus Middleton on 10th October, 1946 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Other - Spouse. He played "Chicken" George Moore--between the ages of 18 in 1824 and 64 in 1870-- in, Performing at the Very Special Arts Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC [June 2004], Portraying the Wizard in Broadway's Wicked.