Thelma "Tad" Tadlock, daughter of the late Thelma Gertrude (Duke) Tadlock and Hadyn
Haekins Tadlock, was born in Port Arthur, Texas, January 19, 1931. She began dance
classes with Florence Coleman Ward at the age of three. By the age of five she knew she
wanted to be a dancer.
For fifteen years, Tadlock trained at the Florence Coleman School of Dance, sneaking
out of dance class during her high school years to don her majorette's uniform for
Friday night football games.
After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949, Tadlock was ready to try
her luck in New York, but her father wanted her to attend college. She finally persuaded
him to allow her a year in the big city; if she had no luck finding a job, she would
return and attend the University of Texas.
As luck would have it, Tadlock landed a part in Make a Wish, followed by roles in three
more Broadway plays. She continued her education at the Stanley School of Dance in
New York. In 1955, she started work on television, as part of the chorus on the old
Max Liebman Spectaculars. She next became a featured dancer on "The Hit Parade"
which was a popular radio show in 1955 and retained its popularity after moving to
television in 1958 where she danced with the "Peter Gennaro Dancers (1958-1959), then
joined the Arthur Murray Dance Party as a dancer and assistant choreographer.
Continuing her television career, Tadlock acted as spokesperson, actress, model, and
dancer for numerous commercials, appeared on many television shows as the featured
dancer, and also choreographed dance routines.
Tadlock's credits include work in choreography and staging for film, television, stage,
and television commercials. She has worked on such diverse projects as Love You to Death,
Body Heat, Heaven's Gate, the Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe pageants,
multi-media industrial presentation for Toyota, and commercials for United Airlines and
the Yellow Pages.
Although Tadlock resided in California for many years, she said that she still considered
Texas her home and looked back on Port Arthur with appreciation. Tadlock died on
December 8, 2000 after a long battle with cancer. However, her memory remains strong
among friends and admirers in her home town and abroad and her impact on the world
of dance is indelible.
Tad worked for Merv Griffin for a number of years and choreographed numerous movies
while 'connected' to Merv. How interesting because Harry was in Hollywood in the early
70's and when walking down the sidewalk by the studio where Merv taped his show and
went into the theatre to be entertained. Harry came so close to being able to see Tad
that evening!
Note: Text provided by Harry Fitzner and edited by me.
Tadlock's obituaries may be found by clicking here and on the link below:
LOS ANGELES--(obit)
Dancer, actress and choreographer Thelma "Tad" Tadlock died here Dec. 8, 2000, at the
age of 69. MSTies will surely remember her as the twinkle-toed female lead (dubbed
"Nuveena" by Mike and the 'Bots) in the short "Design For Dreaming," featured in episode
524- 12 TO THE MOON.
A native of Port Arthur, Texas, she began dance classes at the age of three. After
graduating high school in 1949, she headed to New York City and soon landed a part
in the stage show "Make a Wish." That was followed by work in more Broadway plays,
including "Pal Joey" and "Me and Juliet". In 1955, she started work on television, as
part of the chorus on the "Max Liebman Spectaculars." She next became a featured
dancer on "The Hit Parade."
Tad left the show in the late '50s, along with choreographer Tom Hansen, Claire
Gundermann and other dancers to form "The Tom Hansen Singers and Dancers" and
become the featured dancer on the "Arthur Murray Dance Party" show. She later
choreographed many of the Merv Griffin "Dance Fever" shows with Denny Terio, as
well as working as a spokesperson, actress, model and dancer for numerous commercials.
She also worked on movies including "I Love You to Death," "Body Heat," and "Heaven's
Gate," as well as the Miss Teen USA, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
In mine and Harry's estimation this is one of "Florence Coleman's Students" that really
made a name for herself and for Miss Coleman. Tad has a special place of recognition at
The Museum Of The Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, Texas.
FYI: I am the one who found her obit. I can remember running into Thelma in down-
town Port Arthur on the sidewalk near Kress's. She was dressed for the east coast and
certainly not Port Arthur. Stunning! I also remember seeing her on The Hit Parade as
the lady in red, thus this song, Lady In Red. If she were alive today I doubt she would
remember me. However, I remember her as being a very beautiful person. (Carolyn)
Tad is listed in the dancer history archives at Street Swing.
I will add a page for Helen Wood if I can find more information about her. She was my
next door neighbor when we lived at 1425 Trinity Avenue in the early '50s. But I don't
remember enough about her. Helen Ann Wood was born in Port Arthur on April 25, 1935.
If you have information please send it to me. Thanks. (Carolyn)
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Dancer/Choreographer January 19, 1931 ~ December 8, 2000