Jerry Antes

Jerry Antes, Actor, Singer, and Dancer of Palm Springs, California passed away on February 8th, 2019, age 91at Desert Regional Medical Center. Born Gerald Irvin Antes on June 2nd, 1927, in Seattle, Washington, he was the son of Margaret Loretta (Burns) and Irvin Albert Antes.

Jerry's career spanned over 66 years. At age 11, he performed at Seattle's Palomar Theater with his father at the piano. His family moved to "Hollywood" in the 1940s. He attended the Hollywood Professional School and North Hollywood High, Class of '45 working as a chorus dancer in musical films.

He served in the Navy during World War II stationed in Hawaii. He wrote for the base newspaper, Aiean. The Navy had him perform as a part of Specialized Entertainment.

He attended UCLA where he starred their theater productions but left to resume his professional career on stage and film.

In the 50s and 60s, he was part of the Tony Charmoli Dancers, appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, Celebrity Playhouse, The Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore, Alan Young and The Rosemary Clooney Shows to name a few. He danced and sang in the film The Opposite Sex alongside Joan Collins in 1956. He married in 1957 and had three children. They divorced in 1972. He toured with Betty Hutton, Anne-Marie Alberghetti and Debbie Reynolds. He was under contract with Columbia Studios, Lucille Ball's Desilu Productions, the Choreographer on many commercials and the film The Lawless Street with Angela Lansbury. In Las Vegas, he starred in The Ziegfeld Follies at the Thunderbird Hotel and Vive Les Girls at the Dunes. He made two record albums under Dot Records, Paris Smiles and Jerry Antes Sings, Sings & Sings. He worked on The Debbie Reynolds Show, joined her Las Vegas show and on tour. He starred as Billy in the national tour of No, No, Nanette and won The Drama Critic's Award in 1972 for that role. He starred in many stage productions all over the United States. He sold real estate in the San Fernando Valley in the 1980s and Coachella Valley in the 1990s. He performed in The Palm Springs Follies for 11 years and briefly the Branson Follies. In 1997 he was featured in the documentary Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. In 2005, at the age of 78, he joined Debbie Reynolds on her world tour. In 2007, he was honored with the Gypsy Robe by the Professional Dancer's Society.

He enjoyed spending time with family. He loved the beach, staying fit, getting way too tan (preferably on a beach) and everything ice cream.

Jerry will be remembered for his awe-inspiring life-long commitment to fitness, his tireless quest for self-realization, truly amazing talent and fabulous sense of humor.

Jerry is survived by his three children, two sons and a daughter; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister; his cousins; five nieces and a nephew.

It was his wish to be laid to rest near his parents. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 27th at 12:30 Church of the Hills at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068.