Lola Falana: Difference between revisions

Lola Falana
Lola Falana
	Falana circa 1972
Born	Loletha Elayne Falana; or Loletha Elaine Falana; September 11, 1942 (age 82); Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations	Actress; singer; dancer;
Years active	1961–1997
Spouse	Feliciano Tavares Jr. (m. 1970; div. 1975)

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Loletha Elayne Falana^[1] or Loletha Elaine Falana^[2]^[3] (born September 11, 1942),^[5]^[6] better known by her stage name Lola Falana, is an American singer, dancer, and actress.^[7] She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1975 for her performance as Edna Mae Sheridan in Doctor Jazz.^[8]

Early life

Lola Falana was born in Camden, New Jersey. She was the third of six children^[2] born to Bennett, a welder,^[2] and Cleo Falana, a seamstress (1921–2010).^[9] Falana's father, an Afro-Cuban,^[10] left his homeland of Cuba to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, later becoming a welder shortly after meeting Falana's mother, who was African-American.^[10]^[2] By age 3, Falana was dancing, and by age 5, she was singing in the church choir. In 1952, Falana's family, which by this time included two more siblings, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the period she was in junior high school, Falana was dancing in nightclubs to which she was escorted by her mother. Pursuing a musical career became so important to her that, against her parents' wishes, she dropped out of Germantown High School^[3] a few months before graduation and moved to New York City.

Career

In 1958, Falana's first dancing gig was at age 16^[2] during a Dinah Washington nightclub appearance in Philadelphia in which Washington gave her the opening act slot to perform. Washington, dubbed the Queen of Blues, was influential in fostering Falana's early career. While dancing in a chorus line in Atlantic City, New Jersey,^[3] Falana was discovered by Sammy Davis Jr.,^[10] who gave her a featured role in his 1964 Broadway musical Golden Boy. After the musical, Falana launched her music career later in 1964. "My Baby", her first single, was recorded and released for Mercury Records in 1965. Later in her career, she recorded under Frank Sinatra's record label, “Reprise.” In the late 1960s, Falana was mentored by Sammy Davis, Jr.^{[citation needed]}

In 1966, Davis cast Falana, with himself, Ossie Davis, and Cicely Tyson, in her first film role, in A Man Called Adam. Falana became a major star of Italian television in 1966 and cinema in 1967. In Italy, she learned to speak fluent Italian while starring in three movies, the first of which was considered a Spaghetti Western. She sang and danced on the TV show Sabato sera, next to singer Mina. She was known as the "Black Venus". During this time she was busy touring with Davis as a singer and dancer, making films in Italy, and reprising her role in Golden Boy during its revival in London. In 1969, Falana ended her close working relationship with Sammy Davis Jr., but the two remained friends. "If I didn't break away," she told TV Guide, "I would always be known as the little dancer with Sammy Davis Jr...I wanted to be known as something more." In 1970, she made her American film debut in The Liberation of L.B. Jones and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress for her performance. The same year, she posed for Playboy magazine. She was the first black woman to model for the Fabergé "Tigress" perfume ads. In those early years, she starred in a few movies considered to be of the blaxploitation genre. She appeared at the Val Air Ballroom sponsored by Black Pride, Inc., in 1978.^{[citation needed]}

American TV audiences became familiar with Falana during the early 1970s. She often appeared on The Joey Bishop Show and The Hollywood Palace, displaying her talent for music, dance, and light comedy. These appearances led to more opportunities. She was the first supporting player hired by Bill Cosby for his much-anticipated variety hour The New Bill Cosby Show, which made its debut on September 11, 1972 (her 30th birthday). Cosby had met Falana in his college days when he was a struggling comic and she was a teenager dancing in Philadelphia nightclubs.^[11] Throughout the mid-1970s, Falana made guest appearances on many popular TV shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Muppet Show, Laugh-In and The Flip Wilson Show. She also starred in her own television specials. In 1975, Falana's disco record There's A Man Out There Somewhere reached #67 on the Billboard R&B chart. That same year, she returned to Broadway as the lead in the musical Doctor Jazz. Although the production closed after five performances, Falana was nominated for a Tony Award, and she won the 1975 Theater World Award.^[12]

With help from Sammy Davis, Jr., she brought her act to Las Vegas, and she became a top draw there. By the late 1970s, Falana was considered the "Queen of Las Vegas". She played to sold-out crowds at The Sands, The Riviera, and the MGM Grand hotels. Finally The Aladdin offered her $100,000 per week to perform. At the time, Falana was the highest paid female performer in Las Vegas. Her show ran 20 weeks during the year, and it became a major tourist attraction. While playing to sold-out crowds in Las Vegas, Falana looked for other TV roles. She was slated to star in a remake of the 1950s Vampira Show. When this project collapsed, she joined the cast of the short-lived CBS soap opera Capitol as Charity Blake, a wealthy entertainment mogul.^{[citation needed]}

Later career and life

In 1995, Falana recorded the song "Don't Cry, Mary" with Catholic artist Joseph Lee Hooker. No longer performing, she tours the country with a message of hope and spirituality. When not on tour, she lives a quiet life in Las Vegas working on The Lambs of God Ministry, an apostolate she founded. The ministry is focused on helping children who have been orphaned in Sub-Saharan Africa, and works closely with the group Save Sub-Saharan Orphans.^[13] Falana's last known musical performance was in 1997 at Wayne Newton's theater in Branson, Missouri.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Love affair and marriage

Sometime between 1965 and 1968, Lola Falana had an affair with her then-mentor Sammy Davis Jr. that became public knowledge after Davis confessed it to his then-wife May Britt, which led to their divorce in 1968.^[14]

In 1970, Falana married Feliciano "Butch" Tavares Jr., one of five brothers of the popular R&B and soul vocal band Tavares; they divorced in 1975.^[2]

Health problems

In June 1987, Falana had a severe relapse of multiple sclerosis.^[10] Falana's left side was paralyzed, she became partially blind, and her voice and hearing were impaired. Her recovery lasted a year and a half, and she spent most of her time praying. Falana attributes her recovery to a spiritual experience which she described as "Being able to feel the presence of the Lord".^[10] Falana converted to Catholicism in 1988.^[10] Although she performed again in Las Vegas shows in 1987, Falana's practice of religion and faith became the center of her life. After another bout with multiple sclerosis in 1996, Falana returned to Philadelphia and lived with her parents for a short time.^{[citation needed]}

Cultural references

Rapper Foxy Brown rapped "Lola Falana dripped in Gabbana, 90's style, the finest style..." in her song "I'll Be Good", with Jay Z on her debut album Ill Na Na.
In D.C. Cab, Tyrone (played by Charlie Barnett) asks the character Denise "When you goin' out with me?" Her incredulous response of "Why should I go out with you?" is met by a defiant "Because I'm black and I'm beautiful." Denise deadpans "Well, so is Lola Falana, but you don't see me goin' out with her."
In A Different World, Whitley Gilbert makes numerous references to Lola Falana throughout the series.
In Wayans Bros., Marlon and Shawn attempt to pick up an elderly man in their "afrocab" and tell him that they have an old magazine with Lola Falana (you remember her from all those hilarious Bob Hope specials Marlon proclaims) as the centerpiece. They force the man into the cab after he declines and runs off, and Shawn and Marlon realize the magazine is gone. Shawn then says "those white guys sure love them some Lola Falana."
The SCTV character Lola Heatherton, played by Catherine O'Hara, was derived from the names of Lola Falana and Joey Heatherton. The character spoofed both women, especially in their later career television variety show appearances in the 1970s.
In a January 19, 1991 sketch^[15] on Saturday Night Live entitled "The Sinatra Group," Frank Sinatra (Phil Hartman) tells Luther Campbell (Chris Rock), "You got talent! You got a Dionne Warwick/Falana kind of thing going."
In Roxanne Shante's song "Have a Nice Day", she declares herself "A pioneer/like Lola Falana".
In Barbershop 2: Back in Business, barber Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) admonishes his boss Calvin (Ice Cube) for making him take down his picture of Lola Falana from the wall of his booth.
In Family Matters, Eddie (Darius McCrary) wants new high-tops that cost $70, but Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) "would not pay $70 for shoes if Lola Falana was in them."
In Marvel Comics's Tomb of Dracula #58 (published in July 1977), the vampire hunter Blade says "That's why I was watchin' that clock like it was a Penthouse pin-up of Lola Falana!"
In the Sanford and Son episode "The Escorts" (season 5, episode 19) Fred (Redd Foxx) is hired by Lola Falana and returns from her home exhausted and disheveled with her dog, a huge Saint Bernard, on a chain.
Rapper Esham recorded a song titled "Lowlafalana" in 1997.
"Miss Black Person USA," a recurring sketch on In Living Color, takes place at the fictional Lola Falana Recreational Center in Detroit.
In an early episode of Family Guy, Peter Griffin flashes back to a time when he confused his girlfriend Leslie Uggams with Lola Falana.
In an August 2019 interview with Vulture, actress Niecy Nash named Falana as her earliest inspiration: "I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was 5 years old and I saw the most gorgeous black woman on television. I said to my grandmother 'Who is that?,' and she said 'Baby, that's Lola Falana.' And I said 'That's what I want to be, Grandma. I want to be black and fabulous and on TV.'"^[16]
In 2022, R&B singer Muni Long referred to Falana with her performance at the BET Awards.
In 2024, Falana was depicted by Lori Harvey in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. ^[17]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1966	A Man Called Adam	Theo
1967	Lola Colt	Lola Gate
	Stasera mi butto	Lola
	When I Say That I Love You	Julia	original title: "Quando dico che ti amo"
1970	The Liberation of L.B. Jones	Emma Jones
1974	The Klansman	Loretta Sykkes
1975	Lady Cocoa	Coco
1990	Mad About You	Casey's Secretary
2013	Mary's Land [es]	Herself	documentary

Television work

Sabato sera (1967) – Italy
The Flip Wilson Show, season 1, episode 8 (1970)
Teatro Dieci (1971) – Italy
The New Bill Cosby Show (1972–1973)
Hai visto mai? (1973) – Italy
The Streets of San Francisco, episode "A String of Puppets" (February 7, 1974)
Ben Vereen... Comin' at Ya (1975) (canceled after 4 episodes)
Lola (1975)
The Lola Falana Show, four variety specials on ABC (January – March 1976)
The Love Boat, season 2, episodes 1 and 2 (1978)
Liberace: Valentine's Day Special (1979)
The Muppet Show, season 4, episode 11 (1979)
Fantasy Island, "Spending Spree", season 2, episode 19 (1979)
Lola, Lola y Lollo (1982)
Made in Italy (1982) – Italy
Capitol (1984–1986)

References

^ ^a ^b S. Richter (2013). Women, Pleasure, Film: What Lolas Want. Springer. ISBN 978-1-137-30973-0. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Thomson Gale (2005). "Falana, Lola 1942–". Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Jan Onofrio (1999). Pennsylvania Biographical Dictionary. Somerset Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-0-403-09950-4. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ Kathleen Fearn-Banks, Anne Burford-Johnson (2014). Historical Dictionary of African American Television. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-8108-7917-1. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry (2015). Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-4702-4. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry (2009). The A to Z of African American Cinema. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7034-5. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ Jessie Carney Smith (1996). Notable Black American Women, Book 2. VNR AG. ISBN 978-0-8103-9177-2. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ https://www.playbill.com/production/doctor-jazz-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011541 ^{[bare URL]}
^ "CLEO F. TWINE". Legacy. 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Tia Williams (August 18, 2011). "Vintage Vamp: Showgirl Lola Falana". Essence. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
^ "Bette Rogge interviews Lola Falana". February 5, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2023 – via University of Dayton.
^ "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^ Catholic Exchange, "Former Entertainer Lola Falana Founds New Catholic Apostolate", August 31, 2002
^ "May Britt Keeps Kids, Divorces Sammy Davis Jr". Jet. January 9, 1969. Retrieved December 28, 2017 – via Google Books.
^ "The Sinatra Group - SNL Transcripts Tonight". SNL Transcripts Tonight. October 8, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
^ Angelica Jade Bastién (2019). "Niecy Nash on the Claws Finale and Why Desna Is a 'Strip-Mall Superhero'". Vulture. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
^ "Meet Peacock's Fight Night Cast And Their Real-Life Inspirations". NBC Insider Official Site. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.

External links

[Springer-1] S. Richter (2013). Women, Pleasure, Film: What Lolas Want. Springer. ISBN 978-1-137-30973-0. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[Encyc-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Thomson Gale (2005). "Falana, Lola 1942–". Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[Penn-3] Jan Onofrio (1999). Pennsylvania Biographical Dictionary. Somerset Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-0-403-09950-4. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[4] Kathleen Fearn-Banks, Anne Burford-Johnson (2014). Historical Dictionary of African American Television. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-8108-7917-1. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[5] S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry (2015). Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-4702-4. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[6] S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry (2009). The A to Z of African American Cinema. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7034-5. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[7] Jessie Carney Smith (1996). Notable Black American Women, Book 2. VNR AG. ISBN 978-0-8103-9177-2. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[8] ttps://www.playbill.com/production/doctor-jazz-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011541 ^{[bare URL]}

[9] "CLEO F. TWINE". Legacy. 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[Essence-10] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Tia Williams (August 18, 2011). "Vintage Vamp: Showgirl Lola Falana". Essence. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.

[11] "Bette Rogge interviews Lola Falana". February 5, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2023 – via University of Dayton.

[12] "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.

[13] Catholic Exchange, "Former Entertainer Lola Falana Founds New Catholic Apostolate", August 31, 2002

[14] "May Britt Keeps Kids, Divorces Sammy Davis Jr". Jet. January 9, 1969. Retrieved December 28, 2017 – via Google Books.

[15] "The Sinatra Group - SNL Transcripts Tonight". SNL Transcripts Tonight. October 8, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

[16] Angelica Jade Bastién (2019). "Niecy Nash on the Claws Finale and Why Desna Is a 'Strip-Mall Superhero'". Vulture. Retrieved August 12, 2019.

[17] "Meet Peacock's Fight Night Cast And Their Real-Life Inspirations". NBC Insider Official Site. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|American singer, dancer, and actress}}
+{{Short description|American singer, dancer, and actress (born 1942)}}
 {{distinguish|Lenora Fulani}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
-{{BLP sources|date=March 2013}}
 {{Infobox person
 | name                    = Lola Falana
@@ Line 18: / Line 17: @@
 }}
-'''Loletha Elayne Falana'''<ref name=Springer /> or '''Loletha Elaine Falana'''<ref name=Encyc /><ref name=Penn /> (born September 11, 1942),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8NJbCQAAQBAJ&q=lola+falana+1942&pg=PA155 |title=Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema |author=S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry |date=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-4702-4 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W28vCHtlJyUC&q=lola+falana+1942&pg=PA108 |title=The A to Z of African American Cinema |author=S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry |date=2009 |publisher=Scarecrow Press. |isbn=978-0-8108-7034-5 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> better known by her stage name '''Lola Falana''', is an American singer, dancer, and actress.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ssMBzqrUpjwC&q=lola+falana+1942&pg=PA214 |title=Notable Black American Women, Book 2 |author=Jessie Carney Smith |date=1996 |publisher=VNR AG |isbn=978-0-8103-9177-2 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref>
+'''Loletha Elayne Falana'''<ref name=Springer /> or '''Loletha Elaine Falana'''<ref name=Encyc /><ref name=Penn /> (born September 11, 1942),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8NJbCQAAQBAJ&q=lola+falana+1942&pg=PA155 |title=Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema |author=S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry |date=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-4702-4 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W28vCHtlJyUC&q=lola+falana+1942&pg=PA108 |title=The A to Z of African American Cinema |author=S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry |date=2009 |publisher=Scarecrow Press. |isbn=978-0-8108-7034-5 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> better known by her stage name '''Lola Falana''', is an American singer, dancer, and actress.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ssMBzqrUpjwC&q=lola+falana+1942&pg=PA214 |title=Notable Black American Women, Book 2 |author=Jessie Carney Smith |date=1996 |publisher=VNR AG |isbn=978-0-8103-9177-2 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> She was nominated for the [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical]] in 1975 for her performance as Edna Mae Sheridan in ''[[Doctor Jazz (musical)|Doctor Jazz]]''.<ref>https://www.playbill.com/production/doctor-jazz-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011541 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>
 == Early life ==
-Lola Falana was born in [[Camden, New Jersey]]. She was the third of six children<ref name=Encyc /> born to Bennett, a welder<ref name=Encyc>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/falana-lola-1942 |title=Falana, Lola 1942– |author=Thomson Gale |date=2005 |website=Encyclopedia |publisher=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> and Cleo Falana, a seamstress (1921–2010).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?pid=138772698 |title=CLEO F. TWINE |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2010 |website=Legacy |publisher=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> Falana's father, an [[Afro-Cuban]],<ref name=Essence>{{cite web |url=https://www.essence.com/2011/08/18/vintage-vamp-lola-falana |title=Vintage Vamp: Showgirl Lola Falana |author=Tia Williams<!--Not stated--> |date=August 18, 2011 |website=Essence |access-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232059/https://www.essence.com/2011/08/18/vintage-vamp-lola-falana |url-status=dead }}</ref> left his homeland of Cuba to serve in the [[U.S. Marine Corps]], later becoming a welder shortly after meeting Falana's mother, who was African-American.<ref name=Essence /><ref name=Encyc /> By age 3, Falana was dancing, and by age 5, she was singing in the church choir. In 1952, Falana's family, which by this time included two more siblings, moved to [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. In the period she was in junior high school, Falana was dancing in nightclubs to which she was escorted by her mother. Pursuing a musical career became so important to her that, against her parents' wishes, she dropped out of [[Germantown High School (Philadelphia)|Germantown High School]]<ref name=Penn>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0HqhGvQF4CQC&q=lola+falana+germantown+high+school&pg=PA373 |title=Pennsylvania Biographical Dictionary |author=Jan Onofrio<!--Not stated--> |date=1999 |publisher=Somerset Publishers, Inc. |isbn=978-0-403-09950-4 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> a few months before graduation and moved to New York City.
+Lola Falana was born in [[Camden, New Jersey]]. She was the third of six children<ref name=Encyc /> born to Bennett, a welder,<ref name=Encyc>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/falana-lola-1942 |title=Falana, Lola 1942– |author=Thomson Gale |date=2005 |website=Encyclopedia |publisher=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> and Cleo Falana, a seamstress (1921–2010).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?pid=138772698 |title=CLEO F. TWINE |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2010 |website=Legacy |publisher=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> Falana's father, an [[Afro-Cuban]],<ref name=Essence>{{cite web |url=https://www.essence.com/2011/08/18/vintage-vamp-lola-falana |title=Vintage Vamp: Showgirl Lola Falana |author=Tia Williams<!--Not stated--> |date=August 18, 2011 |website=Essence |access-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232059/https://www.essence.com/2011/08/18/vintage-vamp-lola-falana |url-status=dead }}</ref> left his homeland of Cuba to serve in the [[U.S. Marine Corps]], later becoming a welder shortly after meeting Falana's mother, who was African-American.<ref name=Essence /><ref name=Encyc /> By age 3, Falana was dancing, and by age 5, she was singing in the church choir. In 1952, Falana's family, which by this time included two more siblings, moved to [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. In the period she was in junior high school, Falana was dancing in nightclubs to which she was escorted by her mother. Pursuing a musical career became so important to her that, against her parents' wishes, she dropped out of [[Germantown High School (Philadelphia)|Germantown High School]]<ref name=Penn>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0HqhGvQF4CQC&q=lola+falana+germantown+high+school&pg=PA373 |title=Pennsylvania Biographical Dictionary |author=Jan Onofrio<!--Not stated--> |date=1999 |publisher=Somerset Publishers, Inc. |isbn=978-0-403-09950-4 |access-date=December 28, 2017 }}</ref> a few months before graduation and moved to New York City.
 == Career ==
-In 1958, Falana's first dancing gig was at age 16<ref name=Encyc /> during a [[Dinah Washington]] nightclub appearance in Philadelphia in which Washington gave her the opening act slot to perform. Washington, dubbed the Queen of Blues, was influential in fostering Falana's early career. While dancing in a chorus line in Atlantic City, New Jersey,<ref name=Penn /> Falana was discovered by [[Sammy Davis Jr.]],<ref name=Essence /> who gave her a featured role in his 1964 Broadway musical ''[[Golden Boy (musical)|Golden Boy]]''. After the musical, Falana launched her music career later in 1964. "My Baby", her first single, was recorded and released for [[Mercury Records]] in 1965. Later in her career, she recorded under [[Frank Sinatra]]'s record label. In the late 1960s, Falana was mentored by Sammy Davis, Jr.
+In 1958, Falana's first dancing gig was at age 16<ref name=Encyc /> during a [[Dinah Washington]] nightclub appearance in Philadelphia in which Washington gave her the opening act slot to perform. Washington, dubbed the Queen of Blues, was influential in fostering Falana's early career. While dancing in a chorus line in [[Atlantic City]], New Jersey,<ref name=Penn /> Falana was discovered by [[Sammy Davis Jr.]],<ref name=Essence /> who gave her a featured role in his 1964 Broadway musical ''[[Golden Boy (musical)|Golden Boy]]''. After the musical, Falana launched her music career later in 1964. "My Baby", her first single, was recorded and released for [[Mercury Records]] in 1965. Later in her career, she recorded under [[Frank Sinatra]]'s record label, “Reprise.”   In the late 1960s, Falana was mentored by Sammy Davis, Jr.{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}}
-In 1966, Davis cast Falana, with himself, [[Ossie Davis]], and [[Cicely Tyson]], in her first film role, in ''[[A Man Called Adam (film)|A Man Called Adam]]''. Falana became a major star of Italian television in 1966 and cinema in 1967. In Italy, she learned to speak fluent Italian while starring in three movies, the first of which was considered a [[Spaghetti Western]]. She was a showgirl for Saturday night main TV show ''Sabato sera'', next to acclaimed singer [[Mina (Italian singer)|Mina]]. She was known as the "Black Venus". During this time she was busy touring with Davis as a singer and dancer, making films in Italy, and reprising her role in ''Golden Boy'' during its revival in London. In 1969, Falana ended her close working relationship with Sammy Davis Jr., but the two remained friends. "If I didn't break away," she told ''TV Guide'', "I would always be known as the little dancer with Sammy Davis Jr...I wanted to be known as something more." In 1970, she made her American film debut in ''[[The Liberation of L.B. Jones]]'' and was nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress]] for her performance. The same year, she posed for ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine. She was the first black woman to model for the [[Fabergé]] "Tigress" perfume ads. In those early years, she starred in a few movies considered to be of the [[blaxploitation]] genre. She appeared at the Val Air Ballroom sponsored by Black Pride, Inc., in 1978.[[File:Gino Bramieri and Lola Falana.jpg|thumbnail|Falana with [[Gino Bramieri]] on the Italian TV show ''Hai visto mai?'', 1973.]]{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}
+In 1966, Davis cast Falana, with himself, [[Ossie Davis]], and [[Cicely Tyson]], in her first film role, in ''[[A Man Called Adam (film)|A Man Called Adam]]''. Falana became a major star of Italian television in 1966 and cinema in 1967. In Italy, she learned to speak fluent Italian while starring in three movies, the first of which was considered a [[Spaghetti Western]]. She sang and danced on the TV show ''Sabato sera'', next to singer [[Mina (Italian singer)|Mina]]. She was known as the "Black Venus". During this time she was busy touring with Davis as a singer and dancer, making films in Italy, and reprising her role in ''Golden Boy'' during its revival in London. In 1969, Falana ended her close working relationship with Sammy Davis Jr., but the two remained friends. "If I didn't break away," she told ''TV Guide'', "I would always be known as the little dancer with Sammy Davis Jr...I wanted to be known as something more." In 1970, she made her American film debut in ''[[The Liberation of L.B. Jones]]'' and was nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress]] for her performance. The same year, she posed for ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine. She was the first black woman to model for the [[Fabergé]] "Tigress" perfume ads. In those early years, she starred in a few movies considered to be of the [[blaxploitation]] genre. She appeared at the Val Air Ballroom sponsored by Black Pride, Inc., in 1978.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}
+[[File:Gino Bramieri and Lola Falana.jpg|thumbnail|Falana with [[Gino Bramieri]] on the Italian TV show ''Hai visto mai?'', 1973.]]
-American TV audiences became familiar with Falana during the early 1970s. She often appeared on ''[[The Joey Bishop Show (talk show)|The Joey Bishop Show]]'' and ''[[The Hollywood Palace]]'', displaying her talent for music, dance, and light comedy. These appearances led to more opportunities. She was the first supporting player hired by [[Bill Cosby]] for his much-anticipated variety hour ''[[The New Bill Cosby Show]]'', which made its debut on September 11, 1972 (her 30th birthday). Cosby had met Falana in his college days when he was a struggling comic and she was a teenager dancing in Philadelphia nightclubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FYSeHl42MQ |title=Bette Rogge interviews Lola Falana |author=<!--Not stated--> |via=University of Dayton |access-date=July 28, 2023 }}</ref> Throughout the mid-1970s, Falana made guest appearances on many popular TV shows, including ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'', ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', ''[[Laugh-In]]'' and ''[[The Flip Wilson Show]]''. She also starred in her own television specials. In 1975, Falana's [[disco]] record ''There's A Man Out There Somewhere'' reached #67 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart. That same year, she returned to Broadway as the lead in the musical ''Doctor Jazz''. Although the production closed after five performances, Falana was nominated for a [[Tony Award]], and she won the 1975 Theater World Award.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}
+American TV audiences became familiar with Falana during the early 1970s. She often appeared on ''[[The Joey Bishop Show (talk show)|The Joey Bishop Show]]'' and ''[[The Hollywood Palace]]'', displaying her talent for music, dance, and light comedy. These appearances led to more opportunities. She was the first supporting player hired by [[Bill Cosby]] for his much-anticipated variety hour ''[[The New Bill Cosby Show]]'', which made its debut on September 11, 1972 (her 30th birthday). Cosby had met Falana in his college days when he was a struggling comic and she was a teenager dancing in Philadelphia nightclubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FYSeHl42MQ |title=Bette Rogge interviews Lola Falana |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=February 5, 2015 |via=University of Dayton |access-date=July 28, 2023 }}</ref> Throughout the mid-1970s, Falana made guest appearances on many popular TV shows, including ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'', ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', ''[[Laugh-In]]'' and ''[[The Flip Wilson Show]]''. She also starred in her own television specials. In 1975, Falana's [[disco]] record ''There's A Man Out There Somewhere'' reached #67 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart. That same year, she returned to Broadway as the lead in the musical ''Doctor Jazz''. Although the production closed after five performances, Falana was nominated for a [[Tony Award]], and she won the 1975 Theater World Award.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theatreworldawards.org/past-recipients.html | title=Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards | access-date=April 5, 2024 | archive-date=May 25, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525163614/http://www.theatreworldawards.org/past-recipients.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
-With help from Sammy Davis, Jr., she brought her act to Las Vegas, and she became a top draw there. By the late 1970s, Falana was considered the "Queen of Las Vegas". She played to sold-out crowds at [[Sands Hotel|The Sands]], [[Riviera (hotel and casino)|The Riviera]], and the [[MGM Grand Hotel and Casino|MGM Grand]] hotels. Finally [[Aladdin, Las Vegas|The Aladdin]] offered her $100,000 per week to perform. At the time, Falana was the highest paid female performer in Las Vegas. Her show ran 20 weeks during the year, and it became a major tourist attraction. While playing to sold-out crowds in Las Vegas, Falana looked for other TV roles. She was slated to star in a remake of the 1950s [[The Vampira Show|''Vampira Show'']]. When this project collapsed, she joined the cast of the short-lived CBS soap opera ''[[Capitol (TV series)|Capitol]]'' as Charity Blake, a wealthy entertainment mogul.
+With help from Sammy Davis, Jr., she brought her act to Las Vegas, and she became a top draw there. By the late 1970s, Falana was considered the "Queen of Las Vegas". She played to sold-out crowds at [[Sands Hotel|The Sands]], [[Riviera (hotel and casino)|The Riviera]], and the [[MGM Grand Hotel and Casino|MGM Grand]] hotels. Finally [[Aladdin, Las Vegas|The Aladdin]] offered her $100,000 per week to perform. At the time, Falana was the highest paid female performer in Las Vegas. Her show ran 20 weeks during the year, and it became a major tourist attraction. While playing to sold-out crowds in Las Vegas, Falana looked for other TV roles. She was slated to star in a remake of the 1950s [[The Vampira Show|''Vampira Show'']]. When this project collapsed, she joined the cast of the short-lived CBS soap opera ''[[Capitol (TV series)|Capitol]]'' as Charity Blake, a wealthy entertainment mogul.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}
 === Later career and life ===
-In 1995, Falana recorded the song "Don't Cry, Mary" with Catholic artist [[Joseph Lee Hooker]]. No longer performing, she now tours the country with a message of hope and spirituality. When not on tour, she lives a quiet life in Las Vegas working on The Lambs of God Ministry, an [[Lay apostolate|apostolate]] she founded. The ministry is focused on helping children who have been orphaned in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], and it works closely with the group Save Sub-Saharan Orphans.<ref>[http://catholicexchange.com/2002/09/01/92396/ Catholic Exchange], "Former Entertainer Lola Falana Founds New Catholic Apostolate", August 31, 2002</ref> Falana's last known musical performance was in 1997 at [[Wayne Newton]]'s theater in Branson, Missouri.
+In 1995, Falana recorded the song "Don't Cry, Mary" with Catholic artist [[Joseph Lee Hooker]]. No longer performing, she tours the country with a message of hope and spirituality. When not on tour, she lives a quiet life in Las Vegas working on The Lambs of God Ministry, an [[Lay apostolate|apostolate]] she founded. The ministry is focused on helping children who have been orphaned in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], and works closely with the group Save Sub-Saharan Orphans.<ref>[http://catholicexchange.com/2002/09/01/92396/ Catholic Exchange], "Former Entertainer Lola Falana Founds New Catholic Apostolate", August 31, 2002</ref> Falana's last known musical performance was in 1997 at [[Wayne Newton]]'s theater in [[Branson, Missouri]].{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}
 == Personal life ==
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 === Health problems ===
-In 1987, Falana had a severe relapse of [[multiple sclerosis]].<ref name=Essence /> Falana's left side was paralyzed, she became partially blind, and her voice and hearing were impaired. Her recovery lasted a year and a half, and she spent most of her time praying. Falana attributes her recovery to a spiritual experience which she described as "Being able to feel the presence of the Lord".<ref name=Essence /> Falana converted to Catholicism in 1988.<ref name=Essence /> Although she performed again in Las Vegas shows in 1987, Falana's practice of religion and faith became the center of her life. After another bout with multiple sclerosis in 1996, Falana returned to Philadelphia and lived with her parents for a short time.
+In June 1987, Falana had a severe relapse of [[multiple sclerosis]].<ref name=Essence /> Falana's left side was paralyzed, she became partially blind, and her voice and hearing were impaired. Her recovery lasted a year and a half, and she spent most of her time praying. Falana attributes her recovery to a spiritual experience which she described as "Being able to feel the presence of the Lord".<ref name=Essence /> Falana converted to Catholicism in 1988.<ref name=Essence /> Although she performed again in Las Vegas shows in 1987, Falana's practice of religion and faith became the center of her life. After another bout with multiple sclerosis in 1996, Falana returned to Philadelphia and lived with her parents for a short time.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}
 == Cultural references ==
+{{more citations needed section|date= April 2024 }}
 * Rapper Foxy Brown rapped "Lola Falana dripped in Gabbana, 90's style, the finest style..." in her song "I'll Be Good", with Jay Z on her debut album ''[[Ill Na Na]]''.
 * In ''[[D.C. Cab]]'', Tyrone (played by [[Charlie Barnett (comedian)|Charlie Barnett]]) asks the character Denise "When you goin' out with me?" Her incredulous response of "Why should I go out with you?" is met by a defiant "Because I'm black and I'm beautiful." Denise deadpans "Well, so is Lola Falana, but you don't see me goin' out with her."
@@ Line 50: / Line 51: @@
 * In ''[[Wayans Bros.]]'', Marlon and Shawn attempt to pick up an elderly man in their "afrocab" and tell him that they have an old magazine with Lola Falana (you remember her from all those hilarious Bob Hope specials Marlon proclaims) as the centerpiece. They force the man into the cab after he declines and runs off, and Shawn and Marlon realize the magazine is gone. Shawn then says "those white guys sure love them some Lola Falana."
 * The ''[[Second City Television|SCTV]]'' character Lola Heatherton, played by [[Catherine O'Hara]], was derived from the names of Lola Falana and [[Joey Heatherton]]. The character spoofed both women, especially in their later career television variety show appearances in the 1970s.
-* In a January 19, 1991 sketch<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-08 |title=The Sinatra Group - SNL Transcripts Tonight |url=https://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90ksinatra.phtml |access-date=2023-07-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> on [[Saturday Night Live]] entitled "The Sinatra Group," [[Frank Sinatra]] ([[Phil Hartman]]) tells [[Uncle Luke|Luther Campbell]] ([[Chris Rock]]), "You got talent! You got a [[Dionne Warwick]]/Falana kind of thing going."
+* In a January 19, 1991 sketch<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-10-08 |title=The Sinatra Group - SNL Transcripts Tonight |newspaper=SNL Transcripts Tonight |url=https://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90ksinatra.phtml |access-date=2023-07-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> on [[Saturday Night Live]] entitled "The Sinatra Group," [[Frank Sinatra]] ([[Phil Hartman]]) tells [[Uncle Luke|Luther Campbell]] ([[Chris Rock]]), "You got talent! You got a [[Dionne Warwick]]/Falana kind of thing going."
 * In [[Roxanne Shante]]'s song "Have a Nice Day", she declares herself "A pioneer/like Lola Falana".
 * In ''[[Barbershop 2: Back in Business]]'', barber Eddie ([[Cedric the Entertainer]]) admonishes his boss Calvin ([[Ice Cube]]) for making him take down his picture of Lola Falana from the wall of his booth.
@@ Line 61: / Line 62: @@
 * In an August 2019 interview with ''[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]'', actress [[Niecy Nash]] named Falana as her earliest inspiration: "I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was 5 years old and I saw the most gorgeous black woman on television. I said to my grandmother 'Who is that?,' and she said 'Baby, that's Lola Falana.' And I said 'That's what I want to be, Grandma. I want to be black and fabulous and on TV.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/claws-season-3-finale-niecy-nash-interview.html |title=Niecy Nash on the Claws Finale and Why Desna Is a 'Strip-Mall Superhero' |author=Angelica Jade Bastién |date=2019 |website=Vulture |access-date=August 12, 2019 }}</ref>
 * In 2022, R&B singer [[Muni Long]] referred to Falana with her performance at the BET Awards.
+*In 2024, Falana was depicted by [[Lori Harvey]] in [[Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist]]. <ref> {{Cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Meet Peacock's Fight Night Cast And Their Real-Life Inspirations |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/fight-night-cast-characters-real-life-peacock-kevin-hart?amp |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=NBC Insider Official Site |language=en}}   </ref>
 == Filmography ==
@@ Line 73: / Line 75: @@
 |1966 ||''[[A Man Called Adam (film)|A Man Called Adam]]'' ||Theo ||
 |-
-|rowspan=2|1967 ||''[[Lola Colt]]'' ||Lola Gate ||
+|rowspan=3|1967 ||''[[Lola Colt]]'' ||Lola Gate ||
+|-
+|''[[Stasera mi butto (film)|Stasera mi butto]]'' ||Lola ||
 |-
 |''When I Say That I Love You'' ||Julia ||original title: "Quando dico che ti amo"
@@ Line 141: / Line 145: @@
 [[Category:20th-century American singers]]
 [[Category:Hispanic and Latino American actresses]]
-[[Category:Actors from Camden, New Jersey]]
+[[Category:Actresses from Camden, New Jersey]]
 [[Category:Catholics from New Jersey]]
 [[Category:Dancers from New York (state)]]

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