Juanita Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juanita Hall
|
|
|---|---|
Juanita Hall playing Bloody Mary in the original production of South Pacific, photographed by Carl Van Vechten
|
|
| Born |
Juanita Long
November 6, 1901 Keyport, New Jersey, U.S.
|
| Died | February 29, 1968 (aged 66) Bay Shore, New York, U.S.
|
| Occupation | Actress and singer |
| Years active | 1920s–1960s |
| Spouse(s) | Clement Hall |
Juanita Hall (born Juanita Long, November 6, 1901 – February 29, 1968) was a talented American actress and singer. She was famous for her roles in two popular musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein. These were South Pacific and Flower Drum Song. She even won a Tony Award for her role as Bloody Mary in South Pacific.
Contents
Growing Up: Juanita Hall's Early Life
Juanita Hall was born in Keyport, New Jersey. Her father was African-American and her mother was Irish-American. After her mother passed away, Juanita and her three siblings were raised by their grandparents.
She went to Bordentown Industrial School. Later, she graduated from Keyport High School. Juanita also studied classical music at the famous Juilliard School.
Juanita Hall's Amazing Career
After high school, Juanita worked at the Lincoln settlement house. This was in East Orange, New Jersey. She taught music to children during the day. At night, she taught an adult choir.
In the early 1930s, she was a special singer. She also helped direct the Hall Johnson Choir. Juanita became a top Black Broadway performer. The famous writers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II chose her for their musicals. She played a Vietnamese woman in South Pacific. In Flower Drum Song, she played a Chinese-American character.
Making History: A Tony Award Winner
In 1950, Juanita Hall made history. She became the first African American to win a Tony Award. This award was for Best Supporting Actress. She won it for her role as Bloody Mary in South Pacific. She also won a Donaldson Award for this part.
Juanita played Bloody Mary for 1,925 shows on Broadway. These shows were at the Majestic Theatre. She started on April 7, 1949. She also starred in the 1954 musical House of Flowers. In this show, she sang and danced to "Slide Boy Slide."
Besides her Broadway roles, Juanita performed often in clubs. These clubs were in Greenwich Village. She sang popular songs like "Am I Blue?" and "Lament Over Love." She also sang Langston Hughes' "Cool Saturday Night."
Before Broadway: Her Own Choir
Before her big acting roles, Juanita started her own group. It was called The Juanita Hall Choir. She was very busy performing in concerts. She also recorded music, appeared in films, and sang on the radio.
She auditioned for Talent 48, a special show. Later, she performed on a radio soap opera. It was called The Story of Ruby Valentine. This show was on the National Negro Network. It was broadcast on 35 radio stations.
In 1958, she recorded an album. It was called Juanita Hall Sings the Blues. Famous jazz musicians played with her. These included Coleman Hawkins and Claude Hopkins.
Film Roles: South Pacific and Flower Drum Song
In 1958, Juanita played Bloody Mary again. This time, it was in the film version of South Pacific. Her singing voice was replaced in the movie. This was because the director thought her voice had changed. Muriel Smith, who played the role in London, sang for her.
In the same year, Hall starred in Flower Drum Song. This was another Broadway show by Rodgers and Hammerstein. She also toured with the show. However, she had to leave in early 1962 due to health issues.
Juanita Hall's Personal Life
Juanita married actor Clement Hall when she was a teenager. They were both performing in a Broadway show called Lew Lefile's Blackbirds. They did not have any children and later divorced.
In her later years, Juanita faced health problems. She had little money, so a special fund for actors helped her. This fund supported her in a home for actors and in hospitals.
Juanita Hall was a Catholic.
Juanita Hall's Passing
Juanita Hall passed away on February 29, 1968. She died at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, New York. Her death was due to complications from her health issues. She had been living at the Percy William Actors' Home.
Movies Juanita Hall Appeared In
- Paradise in Harlem (1939) – Singer in Audience
- Miracle in Harlem (1948) – Juanita Hall – Specialty 'Chocolate Candy Blues'
- Harlem Follies of 1949 (1950)
- South Pacific (1958) – Bloody Mary
- Flower Drum Song (1961) – 'Auntie' Liang (her last movie role)
See also
In Spanish: Juanita Hall para niños
