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Lena Horne dies at 92
Lena Horne, the legendary actress-singer who broke new ground in Hollywood and was active in the Civil Rights movement, has died. She was 92.
Horne passed away at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York on Sunday night (May 9), as announced by son-in-law Kevin Buckley, reports the New York Times.
As one of the first black performers to significantly infiltrate the studio system by signing a long-term contract with MGM, Horne was instrumental in integrating Hollywood. She appeared in a few well known musicals such as "Stormy Weather" -- which is also one of her signature songs -- and "Ziegfield Follies."
Horne passed away at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York on Sunday night (May 9), as announced by son-in-law Kevin Buckley, reports the New York Times.
As one of the first black performers to significantly infiltrate the studio system by signing a long-term contract with MGM, Horne was instrumental in integrating Hollywood. She appeared in a few well known musicals such as "Stormy Weather" -- which is also one of her signature songs -- and "Ziegfield Follies."
Horne was born in June 1917 in Brooklyn. By her teens she began singing in nightclubs, including the famed Cotton Club as a chorus girl.
Although her Hollywood career spanned six decades, she never really achieved any huge success in that arena often because of her African American heritage was seen by studios as a deterrent when casting for lead roles or roles that might necessitate an interracial relationship on screen.
She was best known in the entertainment world for her singing and showcased that in more nightclubs, on Broadway and on TV variety shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Judy Garland Show." Later in her career she appeared on "The Cosby Show" and "The Muppet Show."
She won several Grammy awards over her career and received a best actress Tony nomination for the musical "Jamaica." Later, she received a special Tony for her one-woman show, "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music."
Her contributions to the Civil Rights movement include working alongside Paul Robeson and Medgar Evers, participating on the March on Washington and collaborating to end desegregation and lynching.
Horne is survived by her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley, and granddaughter Jenny Lumet, screenwriter of "Rachel Getting Married."
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I'm glad Lena Horne had a long life she will be sorely missed. She had a big heart and a big voice and I don't think I ever saw her without a big smile on her face. One of the reasons she didn't do so well in Hollywood movies is because he father categorically banned her from ever playing maids on screen - that wasn't the image he wanted to portray of his daughter. Her family was well off and had maids of their own.
Before Bobby Cannavale was married to her grand-daughter he used to tell stories of calling Jenny up and getting sang to by Ms Horne over the telephone - how great was that?!
Lena Horne, the enchanting jazz singer and actress who reviled the bigotry that allowed her to entertain white audiences but not socialize with them, slowing her rise to Broadway super stardom, died Sunday. She was 92. Lena Horne http://atmz.us/singer-lena-horne-465/
So sorry to hear of Ms. Horne's death. She was a beautiful lady, inside and outside. I am only 60 years old but I can imagine falling madly in love with her. Will miss her seeing her old movies and knowing she is no longer with us.
Wonderful wonderful woman!
What an icon. Now she belongs to the ages.
Lena Horne Died at age 92.
Lena Horne Death Photos:
http://www.monkeydollars.net/2010/05/lena-horne-died-at-age-92-lena-horne.html
A classy, talented lady has passed. The world will be a less musical place without her. Rest well, Miss Lena, you've more than earned it!
She was a very pretty lady.
I thought that Lena was the best, talet ,beauty and grace. I had the pleasure of seeing her at the Fairmount Hotel , San Francisco in the
80's.
Lena Horne was a very lovely lady and always a class act.