Shani Wallis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shani Wallis
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|---|---|
| Born | 14 April 1933 |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom United States |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1952–2006 |
| Spouse(s) |
Bernie Rich
(m. 1968; died 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
Shani Wallis (born 14 April 1933) is a talented English actress and singer. She has performed in plays, movies, and TV shows in both her home country, the United Kingdom, and in the United States. Shani Wallis studied at the famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She is best known for her roles in London's West End and especially for playing Nancy in the 1968 Oscar-winning musical film Oliver!
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Shani Wallis's Life Story
Shani Wallis was born in Tottenham, a part of London, England. She first appeared on stage when she was only four years old! Later, she went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a top school for actors.
Her first big role in a play was as Princess Maria in Call Me Madam in London in March 1952. Shani became famous around the world when she starred as Nancy in the movie musical Oliver! in 1968. In the film, she acted alongside Oliver Reed (who played Bill Sikes), Ron Moody (as Fagin), Jack Wild (as the Artful Dodger), and Mark Lester (as Oliver). After Oliver!, Shani Wallis was offered a role in the popular TV show The Brady Bunch. However, she decided not to take it because she wanted to keep performing in musicals.
Shani Wallis has lived in the United States for over 40 years and is now a citizen there. She married her agent, Bernie Rich, on 13 September 1968. They have one daughter and two granddaughters. Shani also supports a charity called The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America, which helps theatre performers.
Movies Shani Wallis Was In
- Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)
- The Extra Day (1956)
- A King in New York (1957) as a Cabaret Singer
- Oliver! (1968) as Nancy
- Arnold (1973)
- Terror in the Wax Museum (1973)
- Mayday at 40,000 Feet (1976)
- The Great Mouse Detective (voice of Lady Mouse, 1986)
- Round Numbers (1992)
- The Pebble and the Penguin (narrator, 1995)
- Mojave Phone Booth (voice of "Greta", 2006)
TV Shows Shani Wallis Appeared In
- Two of a Kind (with Morecambe and Wise, 1961)
- The Garry Moore Show (1963-1964)
- Once Upon a Mattress (as Lady Larken, 1964)
- The Dean Martin Show (1965)
- The Red Skelton Hour (1965)
- This Is Tom Jones (1969, 1970)
- Gunsmoke (as Stella in "Women for Sale", 1973)
- The Young and the Restless (as Frances the Governess, 2004)
- The $10,000 Pyramid
- Charlie's Angels (guest appearance as Ellen Jason, 1977)
- Columbo (as Gwen, in "Strange Bedfellows" episode, 1995)
- Murder, She Wrote (guest appearance as Olivia Waverley, 1989)
- Night Gallery (as Miss Danton - "The Doll" segment, 1971)
- Mickie Finn's (as herself, 1966)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1968)
Plays Shani Wallis Performed In
- Call Me Madam, (1952), London Coliseum (as Princess Marie)
- Wish You Were Here, (1953), London Casino
- Happy As a King, (1953), Princes Theatre, London (as Juliet)
- Wonderful Town (1954), London Casino (as Fay Tomkin)
- Irma La Douce (1961), Lyric Theatre (title role)
- Fine Fettle (1959), Palace Theatre
- Green Room Rags (1954), Princes Theatre
- The Dave King Show, (1956), London Hippodrome
- Aladdin, (pantomime), (1955), Streatham Hill Theatre (as Aladdin)
- King Cole (pantomime, 1962), Palace Manchester (as Miranda)
- Bells Are Ringing (1958), Princess Theatre, Melbourne
- Bus Stop (1958), Golders Green Hippodrome (as Cherie)
- You'll Be Lucky, (1954), Adelphi Theatre with Lauri Lupino Lane
- Cowardy Custard (1989), Theatre Royal Bath
- A Time for Singing (1966), Broadway Theater
- Finian's Rainbow (1958), New Shakespeare Theatre
- 42nd Street, (1985), Drury Lane Theatre
- Follies (1990), Long Beach Civic Light Opera (as Sally Durant Plummer)
- Always (1997), Victoria Palace Theatre
Music Recordings by Shani Wallis
- Call Me Madam – original London stage recording (1952)
- Wish You Were Here – original London stage recording (1953)
- Shani! EP (1960) – Philips BBE 12337
- A Time for Singing (1966) – original Broadway cast recording
- I'm a Girl! LP (1967) – Kapp Records KS-3472
- Look to Love LP (1967) – Kapp Records KS-3527
- Oliver! (1968) – original film cast recording
- As Long As He Needs Me LP (1968) – Kapp Records KS-3573
- The Girl from Oliver LP (1969) – Kapp Records KS-3606
