Sharon Baird was born dancing.
Tap dancing in particular captured young Sharon’s heart, and she trained with the very best, including the legendary Louis DaPron. By age seven, Sharon was the protege of beloved comedian Eddie Cantor, who signed Sharon to a personal contract and ensured her legs with Lloyds of London for $50,000.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw nine-year-old Sharon tapping up a storm on Cantor’s popular television show, The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950-1955). The clarity of Sharon’s taps and the difficulty of her moves was beyond impressive: pull-backs, over the tops, wings—all advanced tap steps adult tappers struggle with—Sharon executed with ease.
Sharon Baird and The Mickey Mouse Club
Given her extraordinary talent, it’s no surprise that of the thousands of kids who auditioned, Sharon was chosen to be one of Walt Disney’s original 24 Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club (1955-1958). Even more impressive, Sharon was one of nine mice to remain on the show for all three seasons.
Sharon’s dancing made her a standout even among this talented group of peers. As fellow Mouseketeer Paul Petersen remembered:
“Sharon, along with Bobby Burgess, was probably the best dancer on the Mickey Mouse Club…For pure dynamism, Sharon was hard to beat when it came to dancing.”
Beyond The Mickey Mouse Club
After The Mickey Mouse Club, Sharon’s passion for dance brought her more opportunities. She danced with Donald O’Connor in his Las Vegas nightclub act, she brought to life the puppets of Sid and Marty Krofft in such popular television shows as H.R. Pufnstuf, she was the movement model for Frodo Baggins in the animated 1978 Lord of the Rings, she was part of comedian Lou Gallagher’s classic “Sledge-O-Matic” comedy routine, and she played the title role in Sondra Locke’s cult classic 1986 film, Ratboy.
As a tap dancer myself, I have long admired Sharon Baird’s skill on the dance floor. What a privilege it was to sit down with Sharon and discuss her Hollywood career and passion for dance.
During my research for our interview, I can across a Mickey Mouse Club episode where emcee Jimmie Dodd shared a quote by Etienne Grellet. As Jimmie quoted:
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it. As I shall not pass through this way again.”
That’s what Sharon Baird has done with her love of dance. By developing and sharing her intrinsic talents, Sharon has brought joy to all who have watched her perform. It’s a beautiful application of Jimmie’s advice to use this life to bestow kindness and do good for others.
Be sure to listen to Episode 89 of Vanguard of Hollywood for all about Sharon’s Hollywood career and love of dance.
Sharon was always my favorite on The Mickey Mouse Club. What a tapper! I’d rush home after school everyday to see her. Loved listening, thank you!
That’s so great to hear Debbie! Sharon’s tapping on the Mickey Mouse Club was (and still is) absolutely show-stopping!
This was a great interview. Sharon is a joy to listen to. Loved her in the Mickey Mouse Club and had no idea that she was Ratboy!
Thanks for listening Susan! Sharon’s done so much, it’s amazing!