On Tuesday, Lola Falana celebrates her 65th birthday. If you've ever watched "Sanford and Son", there is a strong chance that you heard one of the male characters mention her name (it seems like there were at least a couple of "Lola Falana" references every season). Because she is one of those celebs who has disappeared from the public eye, "Sanford & Son" viewers under the age of 30 might be asking themselves, "Who is Lola Falana"?From the mid 1960s through the mid 1980s, the beautiful Ms. Falana was all over the place. She did TV specials/guest appearances, movies, Broadway, and headlined her own show in Las Vegas. For a time in the late 70s, Lola was the highest paid entertainer in Vegas! Although Lola never guest-starred on "Sanford & Son", she did appear with Redd Foxx in the the 1987 "Motown Merry Christmas".
It was shortly after this special that Lola was stricken with multiple sclerosis. However, she made a miraculous recovery and returned to Vegas for several sold out shows in 1989. Although she suffered a relapse, Lola bounced back once again and has since turned her life over to God. Reportedly, Lola today lives a quiet life in Vegas and devotes her time to the organization she founded, The Lambs of God Ministry.
3 comments:
Lola Falana 65...say it isn't so. Lola was iconic in the seventies.I can't even think of anyone of color today who is in her league. There are big stars, but Lola was in a class by herself. I remember watching her on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson". Guest had to be invited to sit down after they performed. Johnny always invited Lola to sit and talk. I think she could have sit in his lap if she had wanted to because he seemed to have a lot of love for her. I even recollect her brief marriage to Butch Tavares of Tavares fame. The last time I saw her she was in a get up that resembled a nun's habit. Happy Birthday Lola!
I remember her, but haven't heard her name in years! It sounds like she has had a very memorable life. I'll have to check out her ministry to see what its all about.
Pjazzy: I am hard pressed to come up with someone today of color who's in her league either. That's funny what you said about Lola sitting on Johnny's lap if she wanted to do so. I read somewhere that she has denounced her celebrity life and doesn't even do interviews anymore. As long as she's happy, it's all good.
Barbara: I hadn't thought of Lola in quite some time. I have a Calendar of Events book that has the birthdays of famous people, so that's how I knew.
Not to be "Debbie Downer", but the only time many of us think of the stars from yesteryear is usually if something bad happens to them.
Post a Comment