One of stage, screen, radio and TV's most delightful, inimitable eccentrics, Hermione Ferdinanda Gingold was born the daughter of an upscale Austrian financier and English homemaker. She made her stage debut in 1908, thus beginning a long, commanding presence in London playing everything from Jessica in "The Merchant of Venice" to Cassandra in "Troilus and Cressida." Her flair for quirky comedy was discovered in the 30s when she appeared to scene-stealing effect in a host of musical revues. She continued to perform in this venue for many years, sharpening her bawdy, razor-like wit for even better things to come. She entertained throughout WWII and then tested the extent of her popularity by going to the US where she became a celebrated hit, not only with her revues but in such legit Broadway plays as "Oh Dad, Poor Dad...Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad" . Gingold was a gifted raconteur and became a very popular TV talk-show guest, particularly on Jack Paar's show. She was finishing up the last touches on her autobiography when she passed away of pneumonia and other heart problems in 1987. "How to Grow Old Disgracefully" was published posthumously the next year. A one-of-a-kind entertainer if there ever was one.
Perhaps best remembered as the retired courtesan in "Gigi" in which she dueted "I Remember it Well" with Maurice Chevalier. She won theatres Donaldson Award for "John Murray Andersons Almanac" in 1954.
Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California, USA, in the Great Mausoleum.
Originally a dramatic actress with a coloratura soprano singing voice, her throaty purr developed and deepened as a result of vocal nodules, which her mother insisted she not remove.
Children from first marriage: sons Leslie and Stephen.
Was nominated for Broadways 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress for "A Little Night Music," a role she recreated in the film version of the same name, A Little Night Music .
In her appearance on Merv Griffins late night show circa 1971, she came on after Zsa Zsa Gabor and Charro. These two had been cat-fighting for most of the show. Hermione strode out carrying her toy terrier and said in stentorian tones, "You dont mind if I bring out another b---h, do you?".
One of the many celebrities who feuded with controversial gossip columnist Dorothy Kilgallen. In fact, one night Gingold appeared on "Tonight Starring Jack Paar" to be interviewed by Paar, who also was feuding with Kilgallen. When she walked out on stage she was carrying a picture of Kilgallen with a toilet seat as a frame.
She appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners: Around the World in 80 Days and Gigi .
For her work in Gigi , shes one of only 4 actresses to win the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a motion picture without receiving an Oscar nomination for the same performance. The other 3 are, in chronological order: Katy Jurado in High Noon (1952) , Karen Black in The Great Gatsby and Katharine Ross in Voyage of the Damned .
Really, sex and laughter do go very well together, and I wondered - and,I still do - which is more important.
