Benjamin B. Janney


SHARON - Benjamin B. Janney died Feb. 12, 2008, on his 81st birthday, following several months of failing health.

Mr. Janney served in the U.S. Navy and later attended Ball State University.

He graduated magna cum laude from the Pasadena Playhouse in 1950.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Janney was actively involved in many theatrical productions on Broadway and throughout the country, serving as director of production or stage manager in productions including "The Matchmaker, "Romanoff and Juliet," "La Plume de Ma Tante," "Destry Rides Again" and "Irma la Douce."

He worked with many well-known actors and actresses, including Dana Andrews, Joan Fontaine, Peter Ustinov, Juliet Prowse, Hugh O'Brien, Andy Griffith, Sir Laurence Olivier, Claudette Colbert, Cyril Ritchard, Alec McGowan and Hume Cronyn, and producer David Merrick.

He had lived in Sharon for more than 15 years.

He is survived by a sister, Catherine J. Swadley of Issaquah, Wash.; a brother, William T. Janney and his wife, Elaine, of Muncie, Ind.; a nephew, Stephen Swadley, and his wife, Carolyn, of Auburn, Wash.; and nieces Catherine Morgan of Clarksville, Ga., and Tiffany Arnold and her husband, Thomas, of Muncie.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Muncie, Mr. Janneys birthplace.

The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon has charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Ball State University Museum of Art, or the Department of Theater and Dance, 2000 West University Ave., Muncie, IN 47306.

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