Born 1901 in Providence, Rhode Island, American singer, baritone and actor Nelson Eddy appeared in 19 musical films during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as in opera and on the concert stage, radio, television, and in nightclubs.
A classically trained baritone, Eddy is best remembered for the eight films in which he costarred with soprano Jeanette MacDonald. He was one of the first “crossover” stars, a superstar appealing both to shrieking bobby soxers and opera purists, and in his heyday, he was the highest paid singer in the world.
During his 40-year career, he earned three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (one each for film, recording, and radio), left his footprints in the wet concrete at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, earned three gold records, and was invited to sing at the third inauguration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. He also introduced millions of young Americans to classical music and inspired many of them to pursue a musical career.
In March 1967, Eddy was performing at the Sans Souci Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida when he was stricken on stage with a cerebral hemorrhage. He died a few hours later in the early hours of March 6, 1967, at the age of 65.
Take a look at these vintage photos to see a young and handsome Nelson Eddy in the 1930s and 1940s.
I have heard that the first impersonation Rich Little ever did in a public paid performance was Nelson Eddy
ReplyDeleteThe second was a moose!