Trivia

Attempting to shift the negative attitude of US TV networks towards sign language, she once sang "Over The Rainbow" while signing the words on live television. CBS had expressly forbidden her to do so.

A hearing-impaired performer for many years until four operations restored it, she has been known and won awards for her many humanitarian efforts in this field as well as others, serving on several committees that fight for the rights of the disabled or handicapped, and becoming a prime force in bringing sign language and captioning to TV.

Once had surgery to enlarge - not reduce - the size of her nose.

Seriously injured by a runaway elephant during the filming of Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978).

Aunt of actress Shelley Fabares.

Turned down the chance to be the original voice of "Wilma Flintstone" on Les Pierrafeu (1960) in order to accept Irving Berlin's offer to star in his show "Mr. President". "Mr. President" was Berlin's last completed show and only real flop, opening to such negative reviews that even Berlin's family didn't dare tell him, leaving him to read about it in the next day's papers. Les Pierrafeu (1960) , of course, have become American pop-cultural icons.

Recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award.

Appeared numerous times on "The Hollywood Squares" and would say "Hello" in sign language when introduced at the beginning of each episode.

As a child she developed otosclerosis, a closing up of the bones in the middle ear that leads to progressive deafness. This lead to academic problems and she said: "I assumed I was just stupid. She was well-established on Broadway by the time her hearing impairment was diagnosed. Four operations restored her hearing.

Won Broadway's 1949 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "Love Life." Was also nominated in the same category in 1963 for "Mr. President."

Nanette appeared in a few silent film "kid comedy shorts" by J.R. Bray Studios and in a Big Boy comedy. As a child she went by the name of Ruby Burnett and Baby Nanette as per casting directory ads.

Appeared with her niece, Shelley Fabares, on Au fil des jours (1975) and the April 15, 1975 episode of The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1965).

Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1993.

Due to her diminutive nose, one of her many nicknames was "no nose Nanette," presumably a reference to the Broadway musical No, No Nanette.

She is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA.

Her parents were Louisiana natives. Her mother, Lillie (McGovern), was born in New Orleans, of Irish ancestry, and her father, Raoul Bernard Fabares, was born in Pointe à la Hache, Plaquemines, of French descent. Her paternal grandfather was born in Lacassagne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Occitanie, France.

Honorary member of Delta Zeta sorority, Xi Omicron chapter.

Studied acting with Max Reinhardt.

Attended Los Angeles Junior College.

Was hired (along with Marie McNamara) by Radio Corporation of America (NBC) to perform as a live model for their laboratory testing and daily closed-circuit demonstrations of the first color television cameras in 1952 and '53.