Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell, Helen Louise actually Leonard ( born December 4, 1860 in Clinton, Iowa, † June 6, 1922 ) was an American actress and singer.
Life
Little is known about her youth, but she should have taken music lessons in Chicago and be drawn at the age of 18 years with her mother to New York, where she is a member of the choir of the operetta HMS Pinafore was.
In 1879 she appeared with her new stage name Lillian Russell for the first time in the theater of Tony Pastor on what was known as a promoter of great celebrities at that time. Their performances were acclaimed, so it still took a few more roles in operas pastor.
The media were soon aware of them, as it was praised not only for her voice but also for her looks. More attention also caught her 40 -year relationship with businessman James Buchanan Brady.
Her most famous roles include appearances in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience and The Sorcerer and various works by Jacques Offenbach. She also starred in several movies, including one of the first color films from which these days but only fragments have been preserved.
When she died on 6 June 1922 they had recently an investigation order ( orig.: fact-finding mission ) met in Europe, the President Harding had given her. She was buried with full military honors in a private mausoleum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Biopic
1940 filmed director Irving Cummings her life in the movie Lillian Russell with Alice Faye in the title role and Don Ameche and Henry Fonda in other roles. The role of James Buchanan " Diamond Jim " Brady played Edward Arnold, while Leo Carrillo took over the representation of Tony Pastor. At the Academy Awards in 1941 Richard Day and Joseph C. Wright were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Production Design in a black and white film.