Birth Place: USA
Cathleen Roxanne Rigby (later Mason, later McCoy; born December 12, 1952), known as Cathy Rigby, is an actress, speaker, and former artistic gymnast. Her performance in the 1968 Summer Olympics helped to popularize the sport of gymnastics in the United States.
After her retirement from gymnastics, Rigby became a stage and television actress. She is most noted for the role of Peter Pan, which she played for more than 30 years. She also became a public speaker on the subject of eating disorder, which she struggled with and overcame.
In 1974, the producers of a theater-in-the-round version of Peter Pan offered Rigby the title role. Rigby commented that she was "scared to death" during rehearsals; only 20 and just a year into "retirement," she had no idea what she would be doing with the rest of her life when the role came along. To her surprise, she discovered that she enjoyed playing Peter Pan.
In the mid-1970s, Rigby shattered an old taboo by appearing in a series of TV commercials for Stayfree maxi pads created by VMLY&R copywriter Peter Cornish, thereby becoming the first celebrity to endorse a feminine hygiene product. She then worked for 18 years as a commentator for ABC Sports and appeared in made-for-television movies. In 1976, she guest-starred as a Russian gymnast on the TV series The Six Million Dollar Man.
In 1981, she starred as Dorothy in a production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Other theatrical appearances included Annie Get Your Gun and Meet Me in St. Louis.
In 1990, Rigby again appeared as Peter Pan on Broadway theatre and later took the production on tour. She received excellent reviews for her performance and was nominated for a Tony Award. She played the role again in 1998–1999. In 2002–2003, she played the lead in the touring production of the musical Seussical, and in 2004–2005, she again toured as Peter Pan, billing it as her farewell. Yet she returned to the role in 2008 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, and in 2009 at the Mansion Theater in Branson, Missouri.
In August 2011, Rigby started another Peter Pan tour at the age of 60, continuing through 2013. In 2012, she appeared in American Girl's An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for The Stars, as McKenna's gymnastics coach. Rigby confirmed that she was leaving the role of Peter Pan for good when her tour concluded on April 28, 2013. She said, "No, we don't say goodbye, because saying goodbye means forgetting, and I'm not forgetting, I'm just going to find another adventure."
In late August 2015, Rigby reprised her role as Peter Pan in a limited 15-day run at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver.
From: Photos: Go Inside the SEUSSICAL 21st Anniversary Reunion at Feinstein's/54 Below
From: Photo Coverage: Curtain Call And Press Night Celebration of MATILDA THE MUSICAL At La Mirada Theatre
From: Photo Coverage: Inside Tommy Tune's Actors Fund Tony Awards Viewing Party
From: Photo Flash: Steven Weber, Tracie Thoms, Cathy Rigby and More at 2013 Jerry Herman Awards
Cathy Rigby, Peter Pan
Cathy Rigby , Peter Pan
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Cathy Rigby has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Cathy Rigby has not appeared in the West End.
Cathy Rigby has been nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in Peter Pan. She has also been nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for her performance in Peter Pan.
Cathy Rigby has won the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance in Peter Pan.
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