Special Photo Flashback: Remembering Polly Bergen

BroadwayWorld.com reported yesterday the sad news that actress, singer and stage veteran Polly Bergen died today at her home in Connecticut, at 84 of natural causes. The star was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing. Today, we take a look back at photos of the star, taken by BWW's Walter McBride.

A Columbia recording artist in the 1950s, Bergen appeared on Broadway in SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, FOLLIES, (for which she received a Tony nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical), CABARET, LOVE LETTERS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS, CHAMPAGNE COMPLEX and JOHN MURRY ANDERSON'S ALMANAC.

Her film credits include the original Cape Fear (1962) opposite Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, three Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedy films in the early 1950s including At War with the Army, That's My Boy and The Stooge; Cry-Baby and Move Over, Darling.

On the small screen, Bergen appeared in The Sopranos, Desperate Housewives (Emmy nomination), and Commander-In-Chief. She won an Emmy award for her role as singer Helen Morgan in an episode of the 1950s television series Playhouse 90 and earned an additiona nomination for her role as Rhoda Henry in the ABC miniseries, The Winds of War and its sequel War and Remembrance. She also played Geena Davis' mother in ABC's short-lived 2005 drama "Commander in Chief." Bergen was a regular panelist on the CBS television game show To Tell the Truth during its debut run.

She recorded more than a dozen albums as well, including Little Girl Blue, Polly Bergen, Bergen Sings Morgan, The Party's Over, Polly and Her Pop, First Impressions, All Alone by the Telephone, Four Seasons of Love, 'Do Re Mi' and 'Annie Get Your Gun' Act One-Sing, Too, My Heart Sings Special Edition, Bob Crosby's Orchestra and
Bergen Sings Morgan/The Party's Over.

Photos by Walter McBride

Polly Bergen on October 5,1979 in New York City.

Polly Bergen on January 15, 1980 in New York City.

Polly Bergen attends a taping of 'Live at Five' on September 10, 1980 in New York City.

Peter Weller and Polly Bergen attend the 'Reds' Screening on December 15,1981 in New York City.

Peter Weller and Polly Bergen attend the 'Reds' Screening on December 15,1981 in New York City.

Polly Bergen attends the 'Reds' Screening on December 15,1981 in New York City.

Polly Bergen attends the 'Reds' Screening on December 15,1981 in New York City.

Polly Bergen attends the 'Reds' Screening on December 15,1981 in New York City.

Polly Bergen attends the 'Reds' Screening on December 15,1981 in New York City.

Polly Bergen on January 15,1982 in New York City.

Polly Bergen on September 1, 1989 in New York City.

Carol Woods, Polly Bergen, Jack Aranson during the Gypsy Robe Ceremony honoring RoxAnne Barlow for 'Follies' at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City on September 20, 2001.

Polly Bergen, Jack Aranson and Blythe Danner during the Gypsy Robe Ceremony honoring RoxAnne Barlow for 'Follies' at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City on September 20, 2001.

Carol Woods, Polly Bergen, Jack Aranson and Blythe Danner during the Gypsy Robe Ceremony honoring RoxAnne Barlow for 'Follies' at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City on September 20, 2001.

Polly Bergen (In Vintage Armani) attends The 55th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, NYC. 6/3/2001

Polly Bergen (In Vintage Armani) attends The 55th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, NYC. 6/3/2001

Polly Bergen (In Vintage Armani) attends The 55th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, NYC. 6/3/2001

Polly Bergen (In Vintage Armani) with Rex Reed attend The 55th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, NYC. 6/3/2001

Polly Bergen attends the TEA AT FIVE Opening Night at the Promenade Theatre, New York City on March 8, 2003.

Polly Bergen attends the TEA AT FIVE Opening Night at the Promenade Theatre, New York City on March 8, 2003.

Polly Bergen and Mark Hamill attending The 12th Annual Toys R Us presents BROADWAY ON BROADWAY Free Concert in Times Square, New York City. September 7, 2003

Polly Bergen and Mark Hamill attending The 12th Annual Toys R Us presents BROADWAY ON BROADWAY Free Concert in Times Square, New York City. September 7, 2003

Polly Bergen attending the Opening Night Performance of TWENTIETH CENTURY at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. March 25, 2004

Polly Bergen attending the Opening Night Performance of TWENTIETH CENTURY at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. March 25, 2004

Polly Bergen attending the Opening Night Performance of TWENTIETH CENTURY at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. March 25, 2004

Polly Bergen attending the Opening Night Performance of TWENTIETH CENTURY at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. March 25, 2004

Polly Bergen attending the Primary Stages 23rd Anniversary Gala honoring Jack O'Brien and Daryl Roth at a Private Club in New York City. November 12, 2007

Polly Bergen attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' at Studio 54 in New York City on 11/13/2012

Polly Bergen, Barbara Cook and Lainie Kazan.attending the Opening Night Performance of 'The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess' at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City. 1/12/2012

Polly Bergen.attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'Follies' at the Marquis Theatre in New York City,

Polly Bergen.attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'Follies' at the Marquis Theatre in New York City,

Phyllis Newman & Polly Bergen.attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'Follies' at the Marquis Theatre in New York City,

Polly Bergen.performing at the "Nothing Like A Dame: A Party For Comden And Green" at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City.

Polly Bergen.performing at the "Nothing Like A Dame: A Party For Comden And Green" at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City.

Polly Bergen.performing at the "Nothing Like A Dame: A Party For Comden And Green" at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City.

Polly Bergen.performing at the "Nothing Like A Dame: A Party For Comden And Green" at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City.

Polly Bergen.performing at the "Nothing Like A Dame: A Party For Comden And Green" at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City.

Polly Bergen.attending the Primary Stages 23rd Anniversary Gala.honoring Jack O'Brien and Daryl Roth at a Private Club in New York City on November 12, 2007.

Polly Bergen.attending the Primary Stages 23rd Anniversary Gala.honoring Jack O'Brien and Daryl Roth at a Private Club in New York City on November 12, 2007.

Polly Bergen & Charles Busch.attending the Joan Rivers hosted book party in honor of authors, Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine's new book, 'Double Life: A Love Story from Broadway to Hollywood at the 21 Club in New York City.

Eileen Fulton, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Polly Bergen & Charles Busch.attending the Joan Rivers hosted book party in honor of authors, Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine's new book, 'Double Life: A Love Story from Broadway to Hollywood at the 21 Club in New York City.

Eileen Fulton, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Polly Bergen.attending the Joan Rivers hosted book party in honor of authors, Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine's new book, 'Double Life: A Love Story from Broadway to Hollywood at the 21 Club in New York City.

Polly Bergen & Elaine Stritch.attending the Primary Stages 23rd Anniversary Gala.honoring Jack O'Brien and Daryl Roth at a Private Club in New York City on November 12, 2007.

Polly Bergen & Elaine Stritch.attending the Primary Stages 23rd Anniversary Gala.honoring Jack O'Brien and Daryl Roth at a Private Club in New York City on November 12, 2007.

Polly Bergen & Elaine Stritch.attending the Primary Stages 23rd Anniversary Gala.honoring Jack O'Brien and Daryl Roth at a Private Club in New York City on November 12, 2007.