Henrietta Loveless facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henrietta Loveless
|
|
|---|---|
Henrietta Loveless (1932)
|
|
| Born | August 26, 1903 |
| Died | March 1956 |
| Other names | Henrietta Lovelass Henrietta Lovelace |
| Occupation | Actress and singer |
| Years active | 1925–1944 |
Henrietta L. Loveless (born August 26, 1903 – died March 1956) was a talented American actress and singer. She was also known by the names Henrietta Lovelass or Henrietta Lovelace. After finishing her music studies at Fisk University, Henrietta performed in many films and theatre shows during the 1920s and early 1930s. Later, in the second half of the 1930s, she focused only on singing. She even sang as part of a harmony group at the 1939 New York World's Fair and had her own music show on the radio.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Henrietta Loveless was born in Polk County, Georgia. She started performing in plays and shows when she was just 13 years old. She later attended the Alabama Teachers College. After that, she received scholarships to attend Shaw University and then Fisk University.
In 1921, she graduated from Fisk University with a degree in music and voice. While at the university, she joined the Mozart Society. She sang as a soprano (a high-pitched female voice) in a 1916 show called The Dream of Gerontius. Later in her life, she continued her studies at the Boston Conservatory.
Acting and Singing Career
After graduating, Henrietta Loveless began acting in theatre. Her first shows were at the Lafayette Theatre in 1925. These included Aces and Queens and Playing the Numbers. She also appeared in films, such as The Spider's Web in 1926.
In late 1926, she started touring with Irvin C. Miller's show Blue Moon. She played the leading lady, which means she had the most important female role. After that, she joined the 1927 Chappelle and Stinette tour production of Kentucky Sue. She acted for two seasons in the 1932 Broadway revival of Show Boat. In this musical, she was the understudy for the role of "Queeny." An understudy learns a role so they can perform it if the main actor is unable to. After Show Boat finished its run, Henrietta moved to Hollywood to find more acting jobs. In 1937, a newspaper called The Post-Star described her as the "creole version of Sophie Tucker," who was a famous singer.
After her theatre career, Henrietta started writing songs and singing opera. She joined a singing group called the Chocolate Éclair Family. This group became very popular after performing at the 1939 New York World's Fair. They sang in the Court of Flame building. In the early 1940s, she hosted her own hour-long singing show on NBC. In 1942, she co-wrote a song called A Fool Must Have His Day with her husband. Henrietta had her first solo singing concert on February 13, 1944, at St. Martin's Little Theatre in New York City.
Personal Life
Henrietta Loveless married Lorenzo McLane, who was also a performer. They acted in theatre shows together and wrote songs throughout the 1940s. Henrietta became ill in January 1956 and passed away in March of the same year.
Performances
Theatre Shows
- Lucky Sambo (Aces and Queens) (1925)
- Playing the Numbers (1925)
- Blue Moon (1926)
- Kentucky Sue (1927)
- Hit the Deck (1927)
- Show Boat (1932) as Queeny
- Sing Out the News
- John Henry
- Mexican Mural
Films
- The Spider's Web (1926) as Mary Austin, a widow
- Lem Hawkins' Confession / Murder in Harlem (1935)
