Trivia

A devoted animal lover, she once bought a crippled duck for 60 cents while vacationing in California. She nursed the bird back to health on the terrace of her Manhattan penthouse.

Offstage, Imogene Coca was extremely shy and gentle.

During an evening talk show (1960), she described the comical side of audiences thinking she and Sid Caesar were married, due to their long, successful work together, as she described Sid's wife as being tall and gorgeous, and who invariably heard restaurant customers whisper loudly "Well, I wonder what Imogene will think when she hears about this", as she walked by with Sid, her husband. Imogene always complimented Sid's wife on her sense of humor at her acceptance of these comments.

Was of Spanish and Irish descent. Her paternal grandfather emigrated to the US from Coca, Segovia, Spain.

Was severely injured in a 1973 car accident in which she lost sight in her right eye when the rear view mirror hit her eye, split her leg open, broke her cheekbone, and fractured her ankle.

First husband Robert Burton arranged music for many of her sketches. Second husband was actor King Donovan, who often performed with her in theater.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1978 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "On the Twentieth Century."

A talented singer and dancer who took piano lessons at 5, singing lessons at 6, and dance class at 7. Made stage debut as 9-year-old dancer, then solo singing stint at age 11.

Suffered from Alzheimer's disease at the time of her death.

Made breakthrough in Broadway revue 'New Faces of 1934.'

Was the daughter of José Fernandez de Coca, a violinist and vaudeville band leader, and Sadie Brady Coca, a dancer who also performed in a magician's act.

Profiled in the book, "Funny Ladies", by Stephen M. Silverman. (1999)

Author Mike Sims as a teenager watched Imogene perform at a play in Houston, TX. He and his friend caught her attention in the middle of the act laughing so hard.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 109-111. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387