Judy Canova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Judy Canova
Canova and George Raft (1979)
Born	Juliette Canova (some sources indicate Julietta Canova) (1913-11-20)November 20, 1913 Starke, Florida, U.S.
Died	August 5, 1983(1983-08-05) (aged 69) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Occupation	Comedian actress singer radio personality
Spouse(s)	Robert Burns ​ ​ (m. 1936; div. 1939)​ James Ripley ​ ​ (m. 1941; annulled 1941)​ Chester B. England ​ ​ (m. 1943; div. 1950)​ Filberto Rivero ​ ​ (1950⁠–⁠1964)​
Children	2, including Diana Canova

Judy Canova (born Juliette Canova; November 20, 1913 – August 5, 1983) was a famous American comedian, actress, and singer. She was also a popular radio star. Judy Canova appeared on Broadway and in many films. She was best known for hosting her own radio show, The Judy Canova Show, which was very popular from 1943 to 1955.

Judy Canova's Life and Career

Early Life and Show Business Start

Judy Canova was born in Starke, Florida. She was one of seven children. Her father, Joseph Francis Canova, was a businessman, and her mother, Henrietta E. Canova, was a singer. Judy said her family came from the Pyrenees mountains in Spain.

She began her career in show business with her family. She performed with her sister Annie and brother Zeke in a vaudeville act. They called themselves the "Three Georgia Crackers." They performed in theaters in Florida and then moved to a famous club in New York City called the Village Barn. Judy would sing, yodel, and play the guitar. She often played a sweet, simple country girl, sometimes barefoot with braids and a straw hat. People sometimes called her the "Ozark Nightingale."

Becoming a Star in Radio and Films

Judy Canova became famous when she was a teenager. A bandleader named Rudy Vallée invited her to be a guest on his radio show, The Fleischmann Hour. The Canova family performed on the radio often in the 1930s. They also made their first appearance on Broadway in a show called Calling All Stars.

Judy then signed with Warner Bros. and appeared in some short films. Later, she signed with Paramount Pictures. In 1939, she starred in a Broadway musical comedy called Yokel Boy with Buddy Ebsen. After this, Republic Pictures signed her in 1940. Republic Pictures was known for making films for audiences in rural areas. Judy quickly became their top female star. She played country women who often got into funny trouble in movies like Scatterbrain (1940), Sis Hopkins (1941), and Joan of Ozark (1942).

In 1943, Judy left Republic Pictures because of a disagreement about her salary. She then signed with Columbia Pictures and made three more films: Louisiana Hayride (1944), Hit the Hay (1945), and Singin' in the Corn (1946). She returned to Republic Pictures in 1951 to star in more comedy films until 1955.

The Canovas as they appeared on The Chase and Sanborn Hour in 1938. From left: Judy, Zeke and Annie

Photo from a 1944 advertisement for the Judy Canova Show

Radio and Television Fun

In 1943, Judy Canova started her own radio show, The Judy Canova Show. It ran for 12 years, first on CBS and then on NBC. On the show, she played herself as a country girl from the Ozarks who was looking for love. She split her time between her home and Southern California. The show had a great cast, including voice actor Mel Blanc, who later voiced famous cartoon characters like Speedy Gonzales and Sylvester.

Judy's radio and film careers ended in 1955. Even though her radio show didn't become a TV series, she often appeared as a guest on many television shows. These included The Colgate Comedy Hour, The Steve Allen Show, Matinee Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Mickey Mouse Club.

Singing Career

Judy Canova also recorded music for the RCA Victor label. She performed on Broadway and in Las Vegas nightclubs until the early 1970s. She even toured with a new version of the musical No, No Nanette in 1971.

Her Legacy

Judy Canova has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One star is for her work in films, and the other is for her radio career. This shows how much she contributed to entertainment!

Personal Life

Judy Canova was married several times. Her last husband was musician Filberto Rivero, whom she married in 1950. They had a daughter named Diana Canova, who also became a singer and actress. Diana is known for her roles on TV shows like Soap.

Judy Canova passed away in 1983 from cancer when she was 69 years old. She was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Filmography

Feature Films

Short Films

• The Song of Fame (1934)
• Husband's Holiday (1935)
• Meet the Stars #7: Meet Roy Rogers (1941)
• Meet the Stars #8: Stars Past and Present (1941)
• Screen Snapshots: Radio Shows (1945)
• Screen Snapshots: Fashions and Rodeo (1945)
• Screen Snapshots: The Judy Canova Show (1946)
• Screen Snapshots: Famous Hollywood Mothers (1947)

Television Appearances

• NBC Matinee Theater (1955)
• The Red Skelton Show (1956)
• The Steve Allen Show (1957)
• The Danny Thomas Show (1958)
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1960)
• Vacation Playhouse (1965)
• Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1967)
• Lil Abner (1967) (TV movie)
• The Murdocks and the McClays (1970) (TV movie)
• Love, American Style (1973)
• Police Woman (1974)
• The Love Boat (1977)

Listen to

• OTR Network Library: The Judy Canova Show (10 episodes)

See also

In Spanish: Judy Canova para niños