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Lola Falana Biography

(Singer)

Birthday: September 11, 1942 (Virgo)

Born In: Camden, New Jersey, United States

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Lola Falana is one of America’s pioneering showgirls known for her acting, singing, dancing as well as modeling career. She is widely regarded as the ‘First Lady of Las Vegas’. Lola started her dancing career under Dinah Washington and with her unique style and personality she worked her way to the top of the country’s show business scenario. With time, she also garnered international recognition and became a global icon. Born into a large family, she began singing and dancing at an early age to earn some money to augment her parents’ income. As a teenager she started dancing in nightclubs. Beautiful, graceful, and talented, it did not take her long to become a popular figure in the nightclub scene in Las Vegas. Soon enough, she forayed into acting as well.

Birthday: September 11, 1942 (Virgo)

Born In: Camden, New Jersey, United States

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Loletha Elayne Falana, Loletha Elaine Falana

Age: 82 Years, 82 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Feliciano Tavares Jr. (m. 1971–1975)

father: Bennett Falana

mother: Cleo Falana

siblings: Fluffy Falana

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Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Females

Ancestry: Cuban American

U.S. State: New Jersey

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You wanted to know

  • 1

    What were Lola Falana's notable works in the entertainment industry?

    Lola Falana was a versatile entertainer known for her work as a singer, dancer, and actress. Some of her notable works include appearances in films such as "The Liberation of L.B. Jones" and "The Klansman," as well as performances in TV shows like "The New Bill Cosby Show" and "The Hollywood Palace."
  • 2

    How did Lola Falana break barriers in the entertainment industry?

    Lola Falana broke barriers in the entertainment industry by becoming one of the first African-American women to achieve mainstream success as a singer, dancer, and actress in the 1960s and 1970s. Her talent and charisma helped her overcome racial barriers and gain widespread recognition for her work.
  • 3

    What was Lola Falana's approach to activism and social causes?

    Lola Falana was known for her involvement in various charitable causes and social activism efforts. She used her platform as a celebrity to advocate for civil rights, racial equality, and other social issues. She participated in fundraisers and events to support marginalized communities and promote positive change.
  • 4

    How did Lola Falana inspire future generations of entertainers?

    Lola Falana inspired future generations of entertainers by showcasing her talent, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. As a trailblazer for African-American women in the entertainment industry, she paved the way for others to pursue their dreams and break through barriers of race and gender.
  • 5

    What legacy did Lola Falana leave in the entertainment industry?

    Lola Falana left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry as a pioneering African-American performer who achieved success as a singer, dancer, and actress. Her contributions to music, film, and television continue to be remembered and appreciated by fans and fellow artists alike.

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Career
Lola Falana got her first ever big break when Dinah Washington offered her the opening act slot in one of her nightclub appearances in Philadelphia. She was just sixteen at that time and the offer from Washington was a generous one for her, which she accepted readily. She was spotted by Samuel George Davis Jr., and was given an offer to appear in his 1964 Broadway musical ‘Golden Boy’. Under Davis’s mentorship, Lola started her professional music career and recorded her first single ‘My Baby’ with Mercury Records in 1965.
She also recorded for Frank Sinatra’s record label during her recording career after the initial success with Mercury Records. She was launched by Davis in one of his films titled ‘A Man Called Adam’ alongside Ossie Davis and Cicely Tyson in 1966. In the next few years, Lola toured with Davis, singing, dancing and also appearing in Italian films. She made a name for herself in the Italian film industry where she was called the ‘Black Venus.’ After a successful partnership, she parted ways with Davis.
She made her debut in Hollywood with a role in the film ‘The Liberation of L.B. Jones’, for which she earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for ‘New Star of the Year – Actress’.
Around this time, she posed for ‘Playboy’ and became the first ever black woman to feature in the Faberge ‘Tigress’ perfume commercials. Lola then took over the television audience with her appearances on ‘The Joey Bishop Show’ and ‘The Hollywood Palace’ where she showcased her dancing, singing, and comic talents.
She later appeared on the ‘The New Bill Cosby Show’; interestingly, she was known to Bill Cosby from her college days. Lola went on to appear in several popular television shows including ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’, ‘Laugh-In’, ‘The Muppet Show’, and ‘The Flip Wilson Show.’ She also appeared in the Broadway musical ‘Doctor Jazz’, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She won the 1975 Theater World Award for the same.
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Personal Life
Lola was born in Camden, New Jersey, on 11 September 1942 to a middle-class family. She was the third of the six children of Bennett Falana, a welder by profession, and Cleo Falana, a seamstress. Lola’s father was an Afro-Cuban and who initially served in the US Marine Corps before taking up welding. She started dancing and singing at a very tender age and began singing in the church choir.
After the birth of her two younger siblings, her family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lola began dancing in the nightclubs when she was in junior high school. A few months before her final exams, Lola dropped out of Germantown High School and moved to New York City to pursue her musical career, much to the frustration of her family, especially her mother.
During their professional partnership, Lola and Davis ended up having an affair, which Davis himself confessed to his wife May Britt. This led to the couple’s divorce in 1968. Lola married Feliciano “Butch” Tavares Jr. in 1970. The marriage ended with a divorce in 1975.
Lola Falana suffers from multiple sclerosis and several other health problems which forced her to retire from the show business.
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Facts About Lola Falana
Lola Falana was not only a talented singer and dancer, but she was also a skilled acrobat, known for her impressive flips and splits on stage.
In addition to her entertainment career, Lola Falana was a successful businesswoman, with ventures in real estate and cosmetics.
Despite her glamorous image, Lola Falana was known for her down-to-earth personality and sense of humor, endearing her to fans and colleagues alike.
Lola Falana was a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, becoming one of the first African American women to achieve mainstream success in Las Vegas.
Beyond her work in entertainment, Lola Falana was also a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice, using her platform to raise awareness for important causes.
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- Lola Falana Biography
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