Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 3, 1910 in New Orleans, LA

Death

:

April 17, 2007 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Kitty Carlisle was an American actress, singer, and arts advocate who was born on September 3, 1910, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her birth name was Catherine Conn, and she was the daughter of a successful businessman and his wife. Her family moved to New York City when she was a child, and she grew up in a wealthy and cultured environment. Carlisle showed an early interest in music and theater, and she began taking singing lessons as a teenager. She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and studied voice with the renowned teacher Estelle Liebling in New York. She made her Broadway debut in 1930 in the musical "Three's a Crowd" and went on to appear in several other Broadway productions, including "On Your Toes" and "The New Moon." In addition to her work on stage, Carlisle also appeared in several films, including the Marx Brothers' classic "A Night at the Opera" and the 1947 musical "The Time, the Place and the Girl." She was known for her beauty, elegance, and charm, and she became a popular figure in Hollywood and New York society. Despite her success as an actress, Carlisle was perhaps best known for her work as an arts advocate. She was a longtime board member of the Metropolitan Opera and served as the chair of the New York State Council on the Arts from 1976 to 1996. She was also a frequent guest on television programs such as "What's My Line?" and "To Tell the Truth," where she became known for her wit and intelligence. Throughout her career, Carlisle remained committed to classical music, and she was a talented singer in her own right. She performed in several operas, including "Die Fledermaus" and "The Merry Widow," and she recorded several albums of popular and classical music. She was also a frequent guest on radio programs such as "The Bell Telephone Hour" and "The Voice of Firestone." One of Carlisle's most memorable performances came in 1957, when she appeared as a guest on "The Ed Sullivan Show." She sang a medley of songs from the operetta "The Merry Widow," and her performance was widely praised for its beauty and charm. She continued to perform well into her 80s, and she remained a beloved figure in the world of classical music until her death in 2007 at the age of 96. Throughout her life, Carlisle received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the arts. She was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1981, and she received the National Medal of Arts from President Ronald Reagan in 1988. She was also awarded honorary degrees from several universities, including Yale and Columbia. In addition to her work in the arts, Carlisle was also known for her philanthropy and her commitment to social causes. She was a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party and worked tirelessly to promote civil rights and other progressive causes. She was also a dedicated advocate for the arts, and she worked to ensure that funding for the arts remained a priority in government and society. In conclusion, Kitty Carlisle was a talented and accomplished artist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music and the arts. Her beauty, charm, and intelligence made her a beloved figure in Hollywood and New York society, and her commitment to social causes and the arts made her a respected and influential advocate. She will be remembered as a true icon of American culture and a shining example of the power of art to inspire and uplift.

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