• Betty Cashman Obituary New York Times
CASHMAN-Betty, ''Coach to the Famous,'' nationally known drama coach for politicians and performers, died Wednesday after a long illness. She was 90 years old. A native of New York City she taught acting and speech skills to a wide range of public figures from the late director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William J. Casey, and the late New York City Mayor, John Lindsay, to actors, Jack Palance and Tony Curtis. She was born in New York and began her professional acting career at age 4. Betty graduated with honors from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began her coaching career in New York City. During the 1950's, Ms. Cashman received four consecutive ''Show Business Oscars'' for ''Greatest Development of New Talent in the Theatre.'' Over the years, her list of clients included Dr. Joyce Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor, Gene Shalit, and Eileen Ford. Co-Founder of Ford Models, Eileen Ford said that ''Betty Cashman was very much a part of my life and that of Ford Models in the early days of television commercials. She gave us lessons that not only improved our speech, but gave us all the confidence we all needed. Betty Cashman was the best there was. We all owed her a lot.'' In an interview with Charlie Rose on Rose's PBS program, Academy Award-winning actor, Jack Palance, singled Ms. Cashman out for praise as ''a fantastic coach.'' Bernadette Casey-Smith, daughter of the late CIA Director, William J. Casey, said her father called Betty Cashman ''a national treasure.'' Betty's technique attracted her to show producers who hired her as an ''Actor's Doctor,'' working with performers on a dramatic role. She was the author of several books on acting, one of which, ''Betty Cashman and You in Personality, Acting and Public Speaking,'' earned the coveted International Mark Twain Award. Betty is also listed in the ''Who's Who of American Women'' and ''Who's Who of the American Theatre.'' A celebration of Betty Cashman's life will be held at a later date. ''Liz'' Wickersham
CASHMAN-Betty. A prominent drama and political coach in New York City for many years. Beloved sister of Larry and Gilda. Devoted aunt of Ronald, Annette, Jeffrey and Arlene. Loving grand aunt of Brett and Jill. She will be missed by the many whose lives she touched.
Betty Cashman, Influential Acting and Speech Coach, Dead at 90
AUG 17, 2001
Betty Cashman, an acting coach and public speaking teacher who worked with stars of the stage, screen and political arena, died in New York City Aug. 15, at the age of 90, according to friends.
Betty Cashman, an acting coach and public speaking teacher who worked with stars of the stage, screen and political arena, died in New York City Aug. 15, at the age of 90, according to friends.
The New York native's students included Tony Curtis, the Gabor sisters, Jack Palance, New York City Mayor John Lindsay, Nancy Sinatra, Gene Shalit, CIA director William Casey and more, according to obituary information published by family and colleagues.
Ms. Cashman was a drama coach, author, actress and director over the years. In 1947, she founded the Betty Cashman Drama Studios. Her books include "Betty Cashman and you in — Personality, Acting and Public Speaking" (1950), "Successful Self-Expression Course" (1954) and "Thoughts for Actors and You" (1958).
As an actress, she made her stage debut at four in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch for the Poughkeepsie Players, and her New York City debut was in Honor Code at the Vanderbilt Theatre in 1931, followed by Moon Over Mulberry Street at the Lyceum Theatre in 1935. For the Professional Players Guild, she appeared in Preferred and The Torch-Bearers. For the Mansfield Players, she toured in The Merchant of Venice (as Portia) and The Taming of the Shrew (as Katharine), 1940 42.
She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Juilliard School of Music and Columbia University. She directed for the stage and served as an acting coach for New York productions (including Anna Lucasta, Polonaise, Rhapsody). She was also a radio actress. Ms. Cashman received the Show Business Award for "outstanding development of new talent" (1955-58) and her writing earned her honorary membership into the International Mark Twain Society. A celebration of her life is planned for the future.
— By Kenneth Jones
Riverside Cemetery, 12 Market Street, Saddlebrook, NJ 07663 201-843-7600. Block K. Section 56, Plot 40, ...
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