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Fanny BriceAmerican actress
Date of Birth: 29.10.1891
Country:  USA |
Biography of Fanny Brice
Early Life
Fanny Brice, born Fania Borach, was an American actress born in 1891 in New York City, United States. Her parents, Hungarian Jews, owned a small but profitable saloon and raised Fanny to be a good and caring girl. However, to their surprise, in 1908, Fanny dropped out of school and embarked on a career in Broadway, participating in cheap productions and burlesque shows.
Broadway Career
Fanny's luck turned when she caught the attention of Florenz Ziegfeld, a renowned Broadway impresario and producer. A few months later, she was invited to join his show, "Ziegfeld Follies," where she appeared throughout her career. It was through "Ziegfeld Follies" that Fanny began her solo career, and the song "My Man," originally part of the troupe's repertoire, became her signature piece. Alongside the Follies, Fanny recorded around twenty songs, many of which received various awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award for "My Man."
Acting Career
Fanny's acting career also flourished, with notable roles in productions such as "Be Yourself!," "Sweet and Low," and "Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt." She also made several appearances in films such as "My Man" and "Everybody Sing." Her contributions to cinema and Broadway were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Radio and "The Baby Snooks Show"
Throughout her life, Fanny worked in radio, voicing the character of Snooks, a role she originated in "Ziegfeld Follies." The radio show gained immense popularity among listeners of all ages, and Fanny's voice became known to almost everyone in the country. In 1937, she joined CBS Broadcasting, where she had a daily show called "Maxwell House Coffee Time." In the late 1940s, Fanny created her own show, "The Baby Snooks Show," which further solidified her radio career and popularity.
Personal Life
Fanny's personal life was marked by several marriages. She married a local hairdresser, Frank White, in 1911, but the marriage lasted only a few days. Fanny later married economist and professional gambler Nicky Arnstein, with whom she lived happily for six years. However, in 1924, Nicky was arrested for attempting to steal a large sum of money, and Fanny filed for divorce, which was soon granted. Her third husband was songwriter and producer Billy Rose, but their marriage also ended in divorce shortly after their wedding.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1950, Fanny appeared on the television show "The Big Show" and spoke to viewers about her radio work. Sadly, just six months later, on May 29, 1951, Fanny Brice passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage. Her death was announced instead of another episode of "The Baby Snooks Show." Fanny's body was cremated, and her ashes rest at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Fanny left behind two children, Frances and William, with William becoming a renowned artist. Shortly after her death, a small theater was built in honor of Fanny Brice on the premises of the State University of New York.
