Evelyn Laye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Evelyn Laye
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| Born |
Elsie Evelyn Lay
10 July 1900 Bloomsbury, London, England
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| Died | 17 February 1996 (aged 95) London, England
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1915–1988 |
| Spouse(s) |
Frank Lawton
(m. 1934; died 1969) |
Evelyn Laye was a famous English actress and singer. She was known for her amazing performances in light operas and musicals in London, New York, and Hollywood. People felt a lot of sympathy for her when her first husband, Sonnie Hale, left her for another actress, Jessie Matthews. Later, she married actor Frank Lawton, and they often performed together on stage.
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Early Life and First Steps
Evelyn Laye was born as Elsie Evelyn Lay in Bloomsbury, London, on July 10, 1900. Her family and friends often called her Boo. Both of her parents were actors, and her father also managed a theatre.
Evelyn started her acting career very young. She first appeared on stage in August 1915 at the Theatre Royal in Brighton. She was only 15 years old when she made her first London appearance in a show called Honi Soit.
A Star on Stage
For the first few years of her career, Evelyn mostly performed in musical comedies and operettas. These are types of plays that combine acting, singing, and dancing. Some of her early successes included The Beauty Spot in 1917 and Going Up in 1918.
Musicals and Operettas
During the 1920s, Evelyn Laye became very popular. She starred in many successful shows. These included Phi-Phi (1922), Madame Pompadour (1923), and The Dollar Princess. She also appeared in Blue Eyes (1928) and Lilac Time.
Broadway and Beyond
In 1929, Evelyn made her debut on Broadway in New York City. She starred in the first American performance of Noël Coward's operetta Bitter Sweet. She also appeared in some early Hollywood musical films.
Evelyn continued to act in popular pantomimes, which are fun, musical plays often performed around Christmas. She played roles in shows like The Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. In 1937, she performed alongside the famous singer Richard Tauber in the operetta Paganini.
Life After the War
After the Second World War, Evelyn Laye's career slowed down a bit. However, she made a big return to the West End in London in 1954. This was in a musical called Wedding in Paris.
She often acted with her second husband, Frank Lawton. They starred together in the 1956 TV show My Husband and I. Other successful stage shows she appeared in included Silver Wedding (1957) and The Amorous Prawn (1959).
Evelyn was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life twice. This show surprises famous people by bringing together their friends and family to celebrate their life.
Her Personal Story
In 1926, Evelyn Laye married actor Sonnie Hale. However, their marriage ended in 1930 when Sonnie left her for another actress, Jessie Matthews. Evelyn received a lot of public sympathy during this time.
Later, she married actor Frank Lawton. They remained married until his death in 1969.
Special Recognition
Evelyn Laye was honored with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1973. This is a special award given by the British monarch for great achievements. She continued acting well into her nineties. It was even reported that the Queen Mother wanted Evelyn to receive an even higher honor, a DBE (Damehood).
Later Years and Legacy
Evelyn Laye passed away in a nursing home in Pimlico, London, in 1996. She was 95 years old. She is remembered as a talented actress and singer who had a long and successful career on stage and screen.
Films and TV Shows
- The Luck of the Navy (1927) - Cynthia Eden
- One Heavenly Night (1931) - Lilli
- Waltz Time (1933) - Rosalinde Eisenstein
- Princess Charming (1934) - Princess Elaine
- Evensong (1934) - Madame Irela
- The Night Is Young (1935) - Elizabeth Katherine Anne 'Lisl' Gluck
- I'll Turn to You (1946) - Herself (uncredited)
- Make Mine a Million (1959) - Herself, Cameo appearance
- Theatre of Death (1967) - Madame Angelique
- Love, I Think (1970) - Cynthia Pitman
- Say Hello to Yesterday (1971) - Woman's mother
- Never Never Land (1980) - Millie
- My Family and Other Animals (1987) - Mrs. Kralefsky
Images for kids
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Press advert from the Birmingham Evening Despatch, Friday 19 June 1942, for a 28 June Toc H charity event at Birmingham Town Hall, starring Laye and violinist Albert Sandler. The advert is presented in the voice of Little Miss Barber, a trademark of Barbers Tea.
See also
In Spanish: Evelyn Laye para niños
