Nina Olivette | |
---|---|
Born | Hildegarde Lachmann May 9, 1907
New York, New York, U.S.
[1] |
Died | February 21, 1971 New York City, U.S. | (aged 63)
Occupations |
|
Spouse |
Nina Olivette (born Hildegarde Lachmann; May 9, 1907 – February 21, 1971) was an American actress and dancer who was sometimes described as a "dancing comedienne". [2]
Born Elizabeth Margaret Veronica Lachmann [3] in Manhattan, New York, Olivette was the daughter of Edgar [4] and Kazia Prajinska [5] Lachmann. [4] Her father was a cigar manufacturer in his native Germany; in the United States, he became a vice-president in Charles M. Schwab's steel company. Her mother was a ballet dancer in her native Poland; [5] after coming to the United States, she performed in vaudeville. [4]
As a girl, Olivette joined her mother's troupe in ballet performances, but after a leg injury prevented her from maintaining the balance needed to be a ballerina, she turned to combining dancing with comedy. [6]
Olivette worked with Violet Carlson in a vaudeville act billed as the Lachmann Sisters. [4] When she was 12, producers Jones and Green recruited her for one of their shows, taking her away from vaudeville. [7]
On Broadway, Olivette appeared in Music Box Revue, Queen High, George White's Scandals, The Sweetest Little Devil, [7] Captain Jinks, and Hold Everything! [8]
Much of Olivette's career was spent in comedic roles. Her first straight role came in Twin Beds (1954). [5] She explained in 1930 that her routines were adaptations of existing dances rather than new creations. Starting with a dance such as the Black Bottom or Charleston, she said that she relaxed her muscles, "then [I] try to give the appearance of falling apart while performing it. The effect always seems to be funny." [9]
Olivette's film debut came in Queen High (1930). [7]
She later performed as a vocalist. [3]
Olivette designed women's fashion accessories, including handbags, scarves, and stoles. Her products made her "a particularly favorite designer with stage people and television stars". [10] She also was a designer for Your Show of Shows on television in the early 1950s. [10]
Olivette was married to Harry Stockwell and was the stepmother of Dean Stockwell and Guy Stockwell. [4]
On February 21, 1971, Olivette died at Polyclinic Hospital following a heart attack. She was 63. [4]
Nina Olivette | |
---|---|
Born | Hildegarde Lachmann May 9, 1907
New York, New York, U.S.
[1] |
Died | February 21, 1971 New York City, U.S. | (aged 63)
Occupations |
|
Spouse |
Nina Olivette (born Hildegarde Lachmann; May 9, 1907 – February 21, 1971) was an American actress and dancer who was sometimes described as a "dancing comedienne". [2]
Born Elizabeth Margaret Veronica Lachmann [3] in Manhattan, New York, Olivette was the daughter of Edgar [4] and Kazia Prajinska [5] Lachmann. [4] Her father was a cigar manufacturer in his native Germany; in the United States, he became a vice-president in Charles M. Schwab's steel company. Her mother was a ballet dancer in her native Poland; [5] after coming to the United States, she performed in vaudeville. [4]
As a girl, Olivette joined her mother's troupe in ballet performances, but after a leg injury prevented her from maintaining the balance needed to be a ballerina, she turned to combining dancing with comedy. [6]
Olivette worked with Violet Carlson in a vaudeville act billed as the Lachmann Sisters. [4] When she was 12, producers Jones and Green recruited her for one of their shows, taking her away from vaudeville. [7]
On Broadway, Olivette appeared in Music Box Revue, Queen High, George White's Scandals, The Sweetest Little Devil, [7] Captain Jinks, and Hold Everything! [8]
Much of Olivette's career was spent in comedic roles. Her first straight role came in Twin Beds (1954). [5] She explained in 1930 that her routines were adaptations of existing dances rather than new creations. Starting with a dance such as the Black Bottom or Charleston, she said that she relaxed her muscles, "then [I] try to give the appearance of falling apart while performing it. The effect always seems to be funny." [9]
Olivette's film debut came in Queen High (1930). [7]
She later performed as a vocalist. [3]
Olivette designed women's fashion accessories, including handbags, scarves, and stoles. Her products made her "a particularly favorite designer with stage people and television stars". [10] She also was a designer for Your Show of Shows on television in the early 1950s. [10]
Olivette was married to Harry Stockwell and was the stepmother of Dean Stockwell and Guy Stockwell. [4]
On February 21, 1971, Olivette died at Polyclinic Hospital following a heart attack. She was 63. [4]