By Ligia Fernandez
To access past Entertainers columns, click on the Entertainers archive
link to the left.
July 2007
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Source:
Library of Congress
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Julie Andrews
(1935 - )
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One of the world's best-loved entertainers, Julie Andrews
began her career in music halls in her native England. She made her
Broadway debut in the hit 1954 revival of THE BOY FRIEND. Two years
later, she took Broadway by storm as Eliza Doolittle in the original cast of
MY FAIR LADY opposite Rex Harrison, followed by an equally star-making role
as Guenevere in CAMELOT (1960) with Richard Burton and Robert Goulet.
But it was in film musicals where she made her biggest mark.
Losing out to Audrey Hepburn for the film version of MY FAIR LADY left her
free to take the lead in Disney's MARY POPPINS (1964) which won her a
Best Actress Oscar. Her next musical was an even bigger bit, THE SOUND
OF MUSIC 1965), which went on to win five Oscars including Best Picture.
She was nominated again, but lost to Julie Christie in DARLING. Her
other music films include THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (1967), the Gertrude
Lawrence bio-pic STAR! (1968) and VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982) (which she later
re-created on Broadway).
Still very much sought after for film projects, her most
recent work includes both PRINCESS DIARIES films (Queen Clarice) and the
voice of Queen Lillian in the SHREK films.
In 2006, she and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton,
co-authored the musical theatre-themed children's book The Great American
Mousical, one of many books mother and daughter have published together.
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Source:
Sammy Davis Jr,com |
Sammy Davis Jr.
(1925 - 1990) |
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Best known as a member of the legendary "Rat Pack" along with
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr. began his
career at a very young age when he joined his father, entertainer Sammy Sr.,
and Will Maston as part of the Will Maston Trio song-and-dance act.
Even after achieving solo success he frequently included his father and Maston
in his shows and supported them financially for the rest of their lives.
In 1956, he debuted on Broadway in MR. WONDERFUL (also
featuring the Will Maston Trio) opposite Jack Carter and Chita Rivera.
Starring in the smash boxing musical GOLDEN BOY earned him the Best Musical
Actor Tony in 1965. His only other Broadway appearances were his solo show
SAMMY (1974) and playing Littlechap in the 1978 revival of STOP THE WORLD I
WANT TO GET OFF.
Despite appearing in numerous TV programs and films, he
greatest successes were as a recording artist and nightclub entertainer.
Among his hit singles are a number of showtunes including The Candy Man,
Something's Gotta Give and Too Close For Comfort.
A life-long chain smoker, he lost his battle with throat
cancer in 1990. |
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