Shani Wallis facts for kids

Shani Wallis (born on April 14, 1933) is a talented English actress and singer. She has performed in plays, movies, and TV shows. Shani has worked in both her home country, the United Kingdom, and in the United States. She studied acting at the famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Shani is best known for her roles in London's West End shows. She is also famous for playing Nancy in the 1968 Oscar-winning movie musical Oliver!

About Shani Wallis

Early Life and Training

Shani Wallis was born in Tottenham, a part of London, England. She started performing on stage when she was very young, at just four years old! Later, she went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. This is a special school where people learn to act.

Becoming a Star

Shani made her first big stage appearance in March 1952. She played Princess Maria in a show called Call Me Madam at the London Coliseum. She became famous around the world in 1968. This was when she starred as Nancy in the musical film Oliver!. The movie won an Oscar. In Oliver!, she acted alongside other great stars. These included Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes and Ron Moody as Fagin. After Oliver!, Shani was offered a role in the TV show The Brady Bunch. However, she decided not to take it. She wanted to keep performing in musicals.

Life in the United States

Shani Wallis has lived in the United States for over 40 years. She is now a naturalised citizen of the U.S. This means she has officially become a citizen there. On September 13, 1968, she married her agent, Bernie Rich. They had one daughter together. Shani also has two granddaughters. She supports a theatre charity called The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America.

Shani Wallis's Work

Movies and TV Shows

Shani Wallis has appeared in many films. Her most famous movie role was Nancy in Oliver! (1968). She also lent her voice to animated films. For example, she was the voice of Lady Mouse in The Great Mouse Detective (1986). She was also the narrator in The Pebble and the Penguin (1995).

On television, Shani appeared in various popular shows. She was on The Dean Martin Show and This Is Tom Jones. She also made guest appearances in crime dramas. These included Gunsmoke, Charlie's Angels, Columbo, and Murder, She Wrote. She even had a role in the soap opera The Young and the Restless.

Theatre Performances

Shani Wallis has had a long and successful career in theatre. She performed in many musicals and plays. Some of her notable roles include the title role in Irma La Douce (1961). She also starred in 42nd Street (1985). Shani played Sally Durant Plummer in a 20th Anniversary Revival of Follies (1990).

Recordings

Shani Wallis has also recorded several albums and cast recordings. These include the original London stage recordings for Call Me Madam (1952) and Wish You Were Here (1953). She also recorded the original film cast album for Oliver! (1968). She released her own albums like I'm a Girl! (1967) and The Girl from Oliver (1969).