Curiosidades

Was one of Ed Sullivan's guests on the famous 9 February 1964 show that featured the US debut of The Beatles.

During one show at the London Palladium, she made her entrance on top of an elephant. During one of her performances, the elephant, which was pregnant and quite moody at the time, threw her off. She was laid up for over three months.

Her signature song was "Two-Ton Tessie from Tennessee."

Toured with ENSA during WWII.

Won Broadway's 1964 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for her rousing interpretation of a fish-and-chips seller in "The Girl Who Came to Supper."

Her father was Irish.

Had two brothers Joe and Pat.