12 Facts About Harriet Hoctor

Harriet Hoctor was born in Hoosick Falls, New York, to Timothy Hoctor and Elizabeth Kearny Hoctor.

Harriet Hoctor was one of four children, the others being Martin Francis, John, and Eloise.

Harriet Hoctor was asked to join their act and became a key player in their Topsy and Eva show presented on Broadway.

Harriet Hoctor appeared in a doll ballet and was informed that Florenz Ziegfeld was offering her a trial part in his production of The Three Musketeers.

Harriet Hoctor appeared as herself in The Great Ziegfeld, Shall We Dance, and Billy Rose's Casa Manana Revue.

Shall We Dance featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and Harriet Hoctor danced with Astaire.

Harriet Hoctor missed at least two chances to star in major Hollywood movies with Fred Astaire.

In 1935, Hollywood gossip queen Louella Parsons reported that Astaire and Rogers were splitting up and that Harriet Hoctor would take the role in Shall We Dance meant for Rogers, but Rogers decided to take the part after all.

However, Harriet Hoctor was consoled for the loss with "Harriet Hoctor's Ballet", which appears at the end of the film.

Harriet Hoctor died in Arlington, Virginia, at the Northern Virginia Doctor's Hospital, in 1977, aged 71.

Harriet Hoctor was buried in St Mary's Cemetery in her native Hoosick Falls following a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Actress Kelly Thompson donned beads prior to appearing on stage as Harriet Hoctor, looking like a 1920s era flapper.