• LIFE

Dinah Shore’s Centennial: How a TV Queen Became an American Everywoman

2 minute read

Often, a gulf exists between the haves and the have-nots—a gulf that only widens as fame and success increase. But in the case of Dinah Shore, a bridge existed in place of a chasm. When LIFE dedicated its cover to Shore in 1960, she was the most successful actress on television, watched by 32 million viewers of NBC’s Chevy Show, later renamed The Dinah Shore Chevy Show. The singer, actress and TV personality would have a career that spanned half a century. But she was as relatable to the average American woman—or more accurately, white woman of at least modest means—as the housewife in the split-level next door.

The Nashville-born entertainer graduated from her college days as a sociology student and cheerleader to become a radio star, bestselling recording artist, TV host and actress. Her multi-hyphenate professional career was matched only by her dedication to her family—despite long hours at work, the magazine explained, she “still knows just where her kids are all of the time and when they last washed their hair.” In an era during which models of working motherhood were few, Shore’s life was an example of a challenging but attainable balancing act (one which, to be sure, was made easier— though never easy—by a healthy bank account).

Shore’s blend of Southern manners and, in LIFE’s words, “triumph of talent and personality over rather ordinary good looks,” led her to be voted among America’s most admired women in four separate Gallup polls throughout the 1950s and ‘60s. Her approach to fashion—classy but never risque—encapsulates best how so many women felt about her: Of her couture frocks, LIFE wrote, “housewives feel, ‘If Dinah can wear them, I can too.”

Dinah Shore cover of LIFE Magazine 1960
February 1, 1960 cover of LIFE magazine, cover photo by William HelburnLIFE Magazine

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Dinah gives her 5-year-old Jody a loving hug before sending him home from a rehearsal he was beginning to disrupt with his horseplay.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. High-style Dinah is carried in a dance wearing ostrich-feathered outfit. "I'm not comfortable in a sexy role," says Dinah, "I don't quite get away with a bare-shouldered sheath. Besides, it's drafty."Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. In dance duet Dinah and Yves Montand, popular Parisian entertainer, rehearse with Tony Charmoli (striped shirt). When Dinah groped for French word for derby, Montand Suggested "le melon"—which she used. Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Giggling in delight, Dinah listens to Montand struggle with lyrics of Ain't We Got Fun? She admired his performance. "When I work with a person with that much talent," Dinah said, "I grow a little bit myself."Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Suggesting a step, Dinah demonstrates a clownish high kick while holding tight to Montand's arm. "I try for new things all the time," she explains. "I don't just come in the studio and ask, 'What do I do?' "Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Serious singer, Dinah records I Have Oh So Many Things To Do Today in studio.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. As she listens to a playback she is dissatisfied, decides to do it over.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. On show, Dinah holds heels of dancer behind her, TV camera showed her from waist up, so legs looked like Dinah's. (Cover bottom of picture to get effect).Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Studio visitors, Dinah's family drops in on rehearsal of her show. Her husband and 12-year-old Missy (Melissa) watch Jody (John David) trying on earphones. Children often visit Sunday rehearsal, and a few weeks ago Melissa danced on the show with ballet class. Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Dancing guest at Montgomery home in Beverly Hills, Gregory Peck demonstrates a tap step he learned for a film. Here, as on her TV show, Dinah gets into her guests' song or dance acts—the family follows her lead with George and Missy joining in the hoofing.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Primping Missy, Dinah straightens part. "When I'm 15, I'm not wearing it this way any more," says Missy. "It's too babyish."Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Helping Jody, Dinah boosts him to washbowl. When scolded for pouring perfume into bowl, Jody protested, "I'm only 5 years old."Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Four in one, in a six-foot-wide bed Montgomery had his furniture factory build, family watches an early evening television show. Headboard is by Susan Eisendieck but Dinah paints her own oils and proudly hangs them in the house.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Backyard basketball is a game which engages the whole family. Dinah always loses to George, but keeps trying. "I feel everyone has the same set of muscles," she remarked as she watched this shot fall short.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dinah Shore LIFE magazine cover story from 1960
Caption from LIFE. Living room ballet gives Missy's parents a chance to check the results of two years of dance lessons they paid for. "I treasure my family as a gourmet treasures his food," says Dinah. "I am surrounded by love."Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com