Mary Costa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Costa
Mary Costa in 1976
Born	(1930-04-05) April 5, 1930 (age 95) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma mater	Los Angeles Conservatory of Music
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1942–2014 (acting)
Notable work	Voice of Aurora in Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Spouse(s)	Frank Tashlin ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1966)​
Awards	Disney Legend (1999)

Mary Costa (born April 5, 1930) is an American actress and singer who is now retired. She is best known for being the voice of Princess Aurora in the 1959 Disney animated movie Sleeping Beauty.

Mary Costa is the last living voice actress of the first three Disney Princesses created during Walt Disney's lifetime. She was honored as a Disney Legend in 1999. In 2020, she received the National Medal of Arts, a special award for artists.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Mary Costa was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. She spent most of her childhood there. Her parents were John and Hazel. Mary grew up in a Baptist family and began singing solos in Sunday school when she was just six years old.

At Knoxville High School (Tennessee), she sang in the school chorus. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. There, she finished high school and won an award for having the best voice among high school seniors in Southern California.

After high school, she studied music at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. She learned from a famous music teacher named Gaston Usigli. From 1948 to 1951, she appeared on a radio show with Edgar Bergen. She also sang with famous stars like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis at concerts.

Becoming a Disney Princess

In 1952, Mary Costa met people at a party who helped her. She auditioned for the voice of Princess Aurora in Disney's Sleeping Beauty. This was a very important role.

Just a few hours after her audition, Walt Disney himself called her. He told her that she got the part. This was a huge moment in her career.

In 1958, Mary Costa filled in for another singer at a big concert. This concert was held at the Hollywood Bowl. She sang so well that she was asked to star in her first opera. This opera was called The Bartered Bride.

Mary Costa went on to perform in 44 different opera roles. She sang on stages all over the world. This included famous places like the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also sang at the Royal Opera House in London. She even performed in Moscow.

Television and Special Performances

Mary Costa also appeared on many television shows. She was a guest on Bing Crosby's Christmas Show. She also appeared on The Hollywood Palace in 1970.

She was honored as one of the "Women of the Year" on Frank Sinatra's TV special. In 1973, Sammy Davis Jr. asked her to sing on his show. She performed a blues song with him.

In 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy asked Mary Costa to sing at a special memorial service. This service was for her husband, U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Mary sang a song called "Libera Me" at the event.

She also sang at the opening concert for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1971. In 1972, she starred in a movie called The Great Waltz. This movie was about the life of a famous composer.

Personal Life

Mary Costa married cartoonist and writer Frank Tashlin in 1953. They later divorced in 1966.

Later Years and Awards

Mary Costa stopped acting in 2014. In her later years, she has focused on helping young people. She gives inspiring talks at schools and colleges. She also supports efforts to prevent child abuse.

She still makes appearances for Disney. She helped promote the Blu-ray release of Sleeping Beauty. She also celebrated the film's 50th anniversary.

In 1999, she received the Disney Legends Award. Her handprints are now at the Disney Legends Plaza. This is at the entrance to Disney Studios. In 2003, she was chosen by President George W. Bush to be on the National Council on the Arts.

She has received several honorary degrees from colleges. In 2007, she was inducted into the Knoxville Opera Hall of Fame. She had helped start the Knoxville Opera season in 1978.

In 2014, she was honored by the YWCA Knoxville. In 2015, she received Tennessee's Governor's Arts Award. On her 86th birthday, Mary Costa wrote a letter to her fans. She thanked them for their support. She also said she would focus on working with young children.

In 2020, she announced she would no longer reply to fan mail. This was because she received so much mail after her 90th birthday. On January 13, 2021, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts.

Filmography

Television Shows

Film Roles

Awards and Recognition

See also

In Spanish: Mary Costa para niños