Billy Rose Fame. Rose was a leading character in the 1975 musical film "Funny Lady," a sequel to "Funny Girl", which continues the story of Fanny Brice, again played by Barbra Streisand. Despite physical dissimilarities, actor James Caan was cast as Rose. The 1962 film "Billy Rose's Jumbo", starring Doris Day, depicted the original Broadway show staged by Rose. Although he was not involved in the making of the film, a contractual stipulation made it mandatory that his name appear in the title. Posthumous Credits Billy Rose Billy Rose (born William Samuel Rosenberg, September 6, 1899 – February 10, 1966) was an
Fanny Brice was completely devoted to the character, as she told biographer Norman Katkov: "Snooks is just the kid I used to be. She's my kind of youngster, the type I like. She has imagination. She's eager. She's alive. With all her deviltry, she is still a good kid, never vicious or mean. I love Snooks, and when I play her I do it as seriously as if she were real. I am Snooks. For 20 minutes or so, Fanny Brice ceases to exist." "Baby Snooks" writer/producer Everett Freeman told Katkov that Brice did not like to rehearse the role ("I can't