Frances Godowsky

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Frances Godowsky (Gershwin)

Also Known As: "Frankie"
Birthdate:
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, New York County, New York, United States
Death: January 18, 1999 (92)
Manhattan, New York, New York County, New York, United States
Place of Burial: Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, United States
Immediate Family:

Daughter of Morris Gershwin and Rose Gershwin
Wife of Leopold Godowsky, Jr.
Mother of Alexis Gershwin; Leopold Godowsky, Ill; Private and Private
Sister of Ira Gershwin; George Gershwin and Arthur Gershwin

Occupation: Actress, singer, artist
Managed by: Carlos F. Bunge
Last Updated:
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Immediate Family

About Frances Godowsky

Frances "Frankie" Gershwin was the younger sister of George, Ira and Arthur Gershwin. She was the first of the Gershwin family to perform as a child, and she brought home a good sum of money for the time.

She married Leopold Godowsky, Jr. co-inventor (with Leopold Mannes) of Kodachrome color photography. Godowsky was also first violinist with the Los Angeles and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras and performed with his father, the world-renowned pianist Leopold Godowsky.

Frances and Leopold had four children; listed in order from oldest to youngest they are: Alexis Gershwin, Leopold Godowsky III, Georgia Keidan and Nadia Natali. All four children have been involved in the performing and fine arts.

The film Rhapsody in Blue came out in 1945, but Frankie and her third brother Arthur were not included in this semi-fictionalized version of George's life.

Frances traveled to Europe with her brother George and performed at parties with him. She also performed briefly on Broadway. After she married, she continued her artistic activities, at one point winning a French painting award. In her later years, she returned to singing again and recorded the album "For George And Ira" in 1975.

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Frances Godowsky's Timeline

1906
December 26, 1906
Manhattan, New York, New York County, New York, United States
1934
September 22, 1934
Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States
1938
June 7, 1938
Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States
1999
January 18, 1999
Age 92
Manhattan, New York, New York County, New York, United States
????
Westchester Hills Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, USA, Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, United States