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 Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy with Somebody Else)", and "Second Hand Rose", which became a Top 40 hit. "Funny Girl", and its sequel "Funny Lady", took liberties with the events of Brice's life. They make no mention of Brice's first husband and suggest that Arnstein turned to crime because his pride would not allow him to live off Fanny and that he was wanted by the police for selling phony bonds. In reality, however, Arnstein sponged off Brice even before their marriage and was eventually named as a member of a gang that stole $5 million worth of