Candy Darling American actress Date of Birth: 24.11.1944 Country: USA

1. Biography of Candy Darling
2. Early Life
3. Discovering her Identity
4. Meeting Jeremiah Newton and Becoming Candy Darling
5. Acting Career
6. Legacy and Death

Biography of Candy Darling

Candy Darling was an American actress, best known as one of the "superstars" of Andy Warhol. Born James Lawrence Slattery in Forest Hills, Queens, she was a transgender woman. She starred in Warhol's films such as "Flesh" (1968) and "Women in Revolt" (1971) and was also the muse of the proto-punk group, The Velvet Underground.

Early Life

Candy Darling was born on November 24, 1944, in Forest Hills, Queens. Her mother, Theresa Phelan, worked as an accountant at the Manhattan Jockey Club, while her father, James Slattery, was described as an aggressive alcoholic. There is debate about her exact year of birth, with some sources stating 1946, while others claim 1948. However, her close friend and posthumous editor, Jeremiah Newton, insists that she was born in 1944.

During her early childhood, she lived in Massapequa Park, Long Island, with her mother after her parents' divorce. Candy's half-brother, Warren, from her mother's previous marriage, served in the US Army, leaving Candy as the only child in the family. Warren later distanced himself from Candy. As a child, Candy spent a lot of time watching television and old Hollywood movies, which inspired her to imitate her favorite actresses, such as Joan Bennett and Kim Novak.

Discovering her Identity

In 1961, Candy enrolled in the DeVern School of Cosmetology in Baldwin, Long Island. She claimed to have learned about the secrets of sex from a salesman at a local children's shoe store and eventually discovered her inclination towards cross-dressing. Her mother, Theresa, was initially upset when rumors circulated that her son dressed as a girl and visited a local gay bar. In response, Candy left the room and returned dressed in women's clothing. Theresa later admitted that she couldn't stop Candy because she was too beautiful and talented. To avoid the curiosity of nosy neighbors, Candy would often take a taxi to the train station and travel to Greenwich Village for bohemian gatherings.

Meeting Jeremiah Newton and Becoming Candy Darling

In the summer of 1966, Candy met Jeremiah Newton. Newton, who had recently arrived in Greenwich Village from Queens, became Candy's friend and neighbor. They shared an apartment in Manhattan and Brooklyn until Candy's death in 1974. Candy initially went by the name Hope Slattery, and according to Bob Colacello, she started using this name in 1963-1964 after she began frequenting Manhattan's gay bars and seeing a doctor on Fifth Avenue who administered hormone injections. Candy then changed her name to Hope Dahl, Candy Dahl, and eventually Candy Kane. Newton believed that Candy chose the name Candy because she had a sweet tooth. Eventually, Candy became known as Candy Darling because her friend often referred to her as such, and the nickname stuck.

Acting Career

Candy often saw Andy Warhol at a nightclub and eventually met him in 1967. Warhol gave Candy a short comedic scene in "Flesh" and three years later, she played the lead role in "Women in Revolt." Candy also appeared in other independent films, including "Brand X," "Silent Night, Bloody Night," and "Some of My Best Friends Are...". She had the opportunity to act alongside Jane Fonda in "Klute" (1971) and Sophia Loren in "La mortadella." In 1971, she traveled to Vienna to star in "Der Tod der Maria Malibran". Unfortunately, Candy's attempt to secure the lead role in the Hollywood comedy "Myra Breckinridge" was unsuccessful and left her bitter.

In addition to her film career, Candy also performed in theater productions.

Legacy and Death

Candy Darling passed away from leukemia on March 21, 1974, at the age of 29. Her funeral attracted a large crowd, and she was cremated. Her ashes were buried by Jeremiah Newton in Cherry Valley, New York, at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. In the 1996 film "I Shot Andy Warhol," Candy was portrayed by actor Stephen Dorff. In February 2010, the documentary film "Beautiful Darling" premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. Directed by James Rasin and produced by Jeremiah Newton and Elisabeth Bentley, the film explored the life and legacy of Candy Darling.