Kimberly Garrison: At 85, dancer is still on her toes

WHEN I GROW UP, I'm going to be just like Dorothy Dale Kloss.

At 85, Kloss is the undisputed oldest performing showgirl in the world. If you don't believe me, just check her out in the "Guinness Book of Records."

The effervescent Chicago native began dancing at the tender age of 3 and has been kicking up her heels ever since.

"I'm here for the duration," Kloss told me recently. "Every time I hit the stage, it's magic for me. I love what I'm doing. I've always loved to dance since I was 3 years old, when the Charleston came out. I've done it all - tap, ballet, modern, and jazz dance."

Indeed, she has done it all. She even taught tap dancing to fellow Chicagoan and renowned dancer/choreographer/filmmaker Bob Fosse.

Kloss has performed with greats such as Eddy Duchin, Liberace, the Mills Brothers, Mel Torme, Cantinflas, Howard Keel, Kay Starr, Frankie Laine and Chico Marx, to name a few.

Fourteen years ago, at 71, she joined the cast of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies in Palm Springs, Calif.

She does nine high-energy Follies shows a week, including several solos.

Last week, I caught up with the charismatic Kloss between shows and she shared some wisdom on longevity, health and happiness. Here are a few snippets of our conversation:

Q: So Dorothy, please tell me what is your secret to success?

A: I was given talent. Maybe it was my old Irish grandfather or the fact that I'm happy with myself and I love what I do.

Q: Do you follow any special diet?

A: Noooo. If I had a special diet, I wouldn't be able to dance. No health food. I need all the preservatives I can get. No, I don't have a banana split every day, but I don't deprive myself of anything.

Q: Do you follow a special exercise program? Where do you get the energy from?

A: I don't know. I'm a dancer, not a doctor. In good times and bum times, I've always been happy. Most people take life too seriously.

Q: Yes, I guess most of us are too serious! Clearly it's not working, and we would be wise to follow your lead. Is it true that you had colon cancer?

A: Yes, I've been a colon cancer survivor for 21 years. I never thought about it, though. I just changed my thinking and my eating habits. I'm here to stay!

Q: What is your philosophy about life?

A: Focus on life ahead of you, not behind you. I look forward to tomorrows. Also, do something you always wanted to do. Last week, I bought a piano. I decided to get out the old music books from 40 years ago. This keeps the brain going. I do it for the sheer joy of it.

Q: How about some advice for young people?

A: Be good to people. Be nice. Don't be hateful, mean or rude. Be kind. Just roll along, singing a song. *

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com). E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo!