Liliane Montevecchi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Liliane Montevecchi
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Montevecchi in the 1957 film The Living Idol
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| Born | October 13, 1932 Paris, France
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| Died | June 29, 2018 (aged 85) New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress, dancer, singer |
| Years active | 1953–2018 |
Liliane Montevecchi (born October 13, 1932 – died June 29, 2018) was a talented French-Italian actress, dancer, and singer. She was known for her amazing performances on stage and in movies. Liliane had a long career, lasting over 60 years! She started as a dancer and became a big star on Broadway and in Hollywood.
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Liliane's Early Life and Dance Training
Liliane Montevecchi started dancing when she was just 8 years old. Her first teacher was Pierre Duprez, a famous dancer from the Paris Opera in France. She studied at a special school called the Conservatoire. There, she learned from other great teachers like Jeanne Schwarz and Mathilde Kschessinska.
Liliane first performed on stage at the Champs Elysées theater in a ballet. A ballet is a type of dance performance. She then worked with other famous dancers and performed in Monte Carlo. This was for the coronation of Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1949. She also danced at the famous Casino de Paris.
Becoming a Star Dancer
Liliane became a lead dancer, also known as a prima ballerina, in Roland Petit's dance company. This was a big step in her international career. She was very skilled and graceful.
Liliane's Movie Career
Liliane Montevecchi also became a movie star! She appeared in films like The Glass Slipper and Daddy Long Legs. In both these movies, she acted alongside Leslie Caron.
In the mid-1950s, a big movie studio called MGM signed her to a contract. This meant she would make many movies for them. She starred in films such as Moonfleet with Stewart Granger. She also appeared in Meet Me in Las Vegas with Cyd Charisse.
Working with Famous Actors
Liliane worked with many famous actors of her time. She was in The Sad Sack with Jerry Lewis. She also starred in King Creole with the legendary Elvis Presley. Another big movie was The Young Lions, where she acted with Montgomery Clift, Dean Martin, and Marlon Brando. She even knew Gene Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Clark Gable!
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Broadway and Stage Success
After her time in Hollywood, Liliane decided to focus on live performances. She became a star at the Folies Bergère in Las Vegas. This is a famous show known for its dancers and costumes. She toured with the company for nine years. Then, she performed at the original Folies Bergère in Paris from 1972 to 1978.
Winning Awards on Broadway
In 1982, Liliane became a huge hit on Broadway. She starred in a musical called Nine with Raúl Juliá. Her performance was so amazing that she won two major awards: the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award. Both were for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. This was a huge achievement for her!
Seven years later, she starred in another musical called Grand Hotel. She was nominated for another Tony Award, this time for Best Actress in a Musical.
Later Stage and Concert Work
Liliane continued to perform on stage and in concerts. She appeared at famous venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. She also toured around the world with her own shows, like On the Boulevard. She even released a solo album called On the Boulevard.
She starred in other popular musicals, including Irma La Douce, Gigi, and Hello Dolly!. In 1998, she played the Wicked Witch of the West in a touring show of The Wizard of Oz. She performed alongside Mickey Rooney, who played the Wizard.
Liliane also performed in shows at Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle and San Francisco. She was known for her role as Madame ZinZanni. She continued to perform well into her later years, even recreating her Tony-nominated role in a special concert for Grand Hotel in 2015.
Awards and Special Honors
Liliane Montevecchi received many awards and honors throughout her life.
- In 1982, she won both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her role in the musical Nine.
- She was very active in helping with humanitarian causes, like fighting against AIDS and cancer. Because of her good work, she was knighted by the Knights of Malta in 1985. This is a special honor given for service.
- In 1990, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Grand Hotel.
- She received the "Woman of the Year Award" from the Columbus Citizens Foundation in 1995.
- In 2009, she was honored as "Entertainer of the Year" by Boys' Towns of Italy.
- The French Minister of Culture honored her in 2013 as an "Officer of Arts and Culture." This recognized her contributions to art and culture in France and worldwide.
- In 2017, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ziegfeld Society of New York City.
Liliane's Final Years
Liliane Montevecchi passed away on June 29, 2018, when she was 85 years old. A memorial service was held in New York City, and she was buried in Gambais, France. She left behind a wonderful legacy as a dancer, actress, and singer who brought joy to many people around the world.
Selected Works
Films and TV Shows
- The Glass Slipper (1955)
- Daddy Long Legs (1955)
- Moonfleet (1955)
- Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)
- The Living Idol (1957)
- The Sad Sack (1957)
- The Young Lions (1958)
- King Creole (1958)
- Wall Street (1987)
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Stage Performances
- La Plume de Ma Tante (1958) – Broadway
- Nine (1982) – Broadway (Won Tony and Drama Desk Awards)
- Grand Hotel (1989) – Broadway (Tony nomination)
- Hello, Dolly! (1995)
- Gigi (1996)
- The Wizard of Oz (1998-1999) – Touring production
- Mistinguett, la dernière revue (2001) – Paris
- Love, Chaos and Dinner (2002-2003, 2007) – Teatro ZinZanni
Albums
- Nine: Original Cast Album (1982)
- Follies in Concert (1985)
- Grand Hotel: The Musical - Broadway Cast Recording (1992)
- On the Boulevard (1998)
- The Divas (2006)
See also
In Spanish: Liliane Montevecchi para niños
