Lola Falana, the renowned showgirl and multi-talented performer, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Known as the ‘First Lady of Las Vegas’, Lola’s journey from humble beginnings to international fame is nothing short of remarkable. From her early days of singing and dancing to support her family, to captivating audiences in nightclubs and eventually conquering the world of acting, Lola’s unique style and undeniable talent have propelled her to the pinnacle of show business. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary life and career of this iconic figure.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Loletha Elayne Falana, Loletha Elaine Falana
- Age: 81 Years, 81 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Feliciano Tavares Jr. (m. 1971–1975)
- Father: Bennett Falana
- Mother: Cleo Falana
- Siblings: Fluffy Falana
- Occupation:
- Models
- Dancers
- Height: 5’5″ (165 cm), 5’5″ Females
- Ancestry: Cuban American
- U.S. State: New Jersey
Lola Falana’s Career
Lola Falana’s career took off when she was just sixteen years old. Dinah Washington, a renowned singer, offered her the opening act slot in one of her nightclub appearances in Philadelphia. This was a generous offer that Lola readily accepted. Samuel George Davis Jr. noticed Lola during this time and offered her a role in his 1964 Broadway musical ‘Golden Boy’. Under Davis’s mentorship, Lola began her professional music career and recorded her first single ‘My Baby’ with Mercury Records in 1965. She also recorded for Frank Sinatra’s record label after her initial success with Mercury Records. Lola was launched by Davis in the film ‘A Man Called Adam’ in 1966, alongside Ossie Davis and Cicely Tyson. She then toured with Davis, singing, dancing, and appearing in Italian films. In Italy, she gained recognition in the film industry and was known as the ‘Black Venus’. After a successful partnership, Lola and Davis went their separate ways. Lola made her Hollywood debut in the film ‘The Liberation of L.B. Jones’ and received a Golden Globe Award nomination for ‘New Star of the Year – Actress’. She also posed for ‘Playboy’ and became the first black woman to feature in the Faberge ‘Tigress’ perfume commercials. Lola gained popularity on television with her appearances on shows like ‘The Joey Bishop Show’, ‘The Hollywood Palace’, and ‘The New Bill Cosby Show’. She also appeared on popular shows like ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’, ‘Laugh-In’, ‘The Muppet Show’, and ‘The Flip Wilson Show’. Lola was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway musical ‘Doctor Jazz’ and won the 1975 Theater World Award.
Personal Life
Lola Falana was born on September 11, 1942, in Camden, New Jersey, to a middle-class family. She was the third of six children. Her father, Bennett Falana, was an Afro-Cuban who served in the US Marine Corps before becoming a welder. Her mother, Cleo Falana, was a seamstress. Lola showed an interest in dancing and singing from a young age and began singing in the church choir. When her two younger siblings were born, her family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lola started dancing in nightclubs while she was in junior high school. A few months before her final exams, Lola dropped out of Germantown High School and moved to New York City to pursue her musical career, much to the frustration of her family, especially her mother. During her professional partnership with Samuel George Davis Jr., Lola and Davis had an affair, which led to Davis’s divorce from his wife May Britt in 1968. Lola married Feliciano “Butch” Tavares Jr. in 1970, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1975. Lola Falana suffers from multiple sclerosis and other health problems, which forced her to retire from show business.