Cleo Laine

Cleo Laine was an actress who had a successful Hollywood career. She began her career as a singer and actress in the 1950s. In 1959, she performed in the musical adaptation of Ronald Firbank's novel Valmouth. In 1962, she appeared in the play "A Time to Laugh" with Robert Morley and Ruth Gordon. In 1964, she won raves for her album Shakespeare and All that Jazz. In 1972, she launched her career in the U.S. with a concert at New York's Lincoln Center. In 1980, she starred in the musical "Colette" at the Comedy Theatre in London. In 1983, she released Cleo at Carnegie: The 10th Anniversary Concert; won Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female. In 1992, she appeared with Frank Sinatra for a week of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1957, she made her TV debut on "The Benny Hill Show" (BBC). Laine worked on a variety of projects during her early entertainment career, including "Cotton Club '75" (NBC, 1974-75), "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" (NBC, 1985-86) and "The 40th Annual Tony Awards" (CBS, 1985-86). She also contributed to "The Criminal" with Stanley Baker (1962), "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" (1961) starring Vivien Leigh and "The Servant" (1963) starring Dirk Bogarde. Laine won a Best Jazz Vocal Performance Grammy Award in 1983. She also contributed to a variety of television specials, including "Evening at Pops (06/20/87)" (1986-87), "CBS' Happy New Year America 1987" (CBS, 1987-88) and "Celebrating Gershwin" (PBS, 1987-88). She also appeared in "On the Town in Concert" (PBS, 1993-94). She also appeared in "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" (2000). Additionally, she could be seen on a variety of television specials like "The Great Love Songs" (1994-95), "Frank Sinatra: The Voice" (1997-98) and "Princess Margaret: The Rebel Princess" (1999-2000). Laine also contributed music to the Jimi Mistry comedy "Touch of Pink" (2004). Most recently, Laine appeared on "VE Day: Remembering Victory" (BBC 1, 2014-15). Laine had two children.