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Hermione GingoldEnglish actress
Date of Birth: 09.12.1897
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Hermione Gingold: The Voice of a Generation
- Broadway Success
- World War II and Return to America
- Broadway Legacy and Later Years
- Personal Life and Tragedy
- Legacy and Autobiography
Hermione Gingold: The Voice of a Generation
Early Life and CareerHermione Ferdinand Gingold was born on December 9, 1897, in New York City. Her eccentric speech and distinctively deep voice were the result of mutated vocal cords, which her mother wisely forbade from being operated on. Gingold made her stage debut at the age of 12, performing in Shakespearean plays at the New York Shakespearean Theatre.
Broadway Success
In the 1930s, Gingold established herself as a comedic actress on Broadway, starring in numerous musicals. Her talent earned her the title of "First Lady of the Musical Comedy."
World War II and Return to America
During World War II, Gingold worked in London but returned to the United States in 1951, where she continued her stage career. Her feature film debut came in 1958's "Gigi," for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Broadway Legacy and Later Years
From 1962 to 1973, Gingold continued to grace Broadway stages in productions such as "The Music Man," "A Little Night Music," and "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad." She also won a Grammy Award in 1977 for her recording of Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf."
Personal Life and Tragedy
Gingold was married twice, first to English publisher Michael Joseph and then to writer and screenwriter Eric Maschwitz. She had two sons from her first marriage. In 1977, Gingold suffered an accident while touring with "Side by Side by Sondheim," resulting in a back injury that confined her to bed until her death from pneumonia in 1987.
Legacy and Autobiography
In 1988, Gingold's autobiography, "How to Grow Old Disgracefully!", was published posthumously. It serves as a testament to her wit, resilience, and the enduring legacy she left on the world of entertainment.
