Lillian Cornell (born Lillian Michuda; June 2, 1916 - May 25, 2015) was an American singer on old-time radio and an actress in films in the early 1940s.

Early years

Cornell was born Lillian Michuda June 2, 1916, in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

. Her name was changed to Lillian Cornell by studio executives when she began to act in films.

Radio

In 1936, Cornell (billed as Lillian Michuda) had her own radio program on WCFL in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Three years later, she had moved to NBC, where she had the self-titled ''Lillian Cornell'' program.Sies, Luther F. (2014). ''Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 161. She also performed on ''Pleasure Parade'', '' Club Matinee'', ''Roy Shield Revue'', ''Jamboree'' and ''Sunday Dinner at Aunt Fanny's''.

Personal appearances

In 1944, Cornell was the featured singer at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. A review published in the ''

Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television a ...

'' on November 26, 1944, described Cornell as "a dark haired beauty with a clear, impressive voice and an admirably gracious, easy manner."

Film

Cornell's venture into the film industry was initiated via radio. ''Radio Varieties'' magazine reported that because radio commitments kept Cornell in Chicago, "her managers arranged a cocktail party in the movie mecca, at which an audition of Lillian's voice was heard by special wire from the Windy City." She signed a contract with

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

and soon appeared in '' Buck Benny Rides Again''.

Television

In 1946, Cornell was part of the cast of ''The Window Shade Revue'', a 45-minute musical broadcast on WNBT in New York City. An article in

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

magazine reported that the program was "said to be one of the biggest budgeted shows yet done by NBC on WNBT since the web took over Channel Four." She also appeared on ''Close-Ups'' on NBC that year.

Personal life

In 1947, Cornell married Asa Fessenden. They were married until he died in 1984.

Death

Cornell died May 25, 2015, in

Miami, Florida Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a coastal metropolis and the county seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida, United States. With a population of 442,241 at th ...

Partial filmography

*'' Buck Benny Rides Again'' (1940) *'' Dancing on a Dime'' (1940) *'' Rhythm on the River'' (1940) *'' The Quarterback'' (1940) *'' Kiss the Boys Goodbye'' (1941) *'' The Mad Ghoul'' (1943) *'' Moon Over Las Vegas'' (1944) * '' Sweethearts of the U.S.A.'' (1944)

Partial discography

*''Gems from Sigmund Rombert Shows'' - with Sigmund Romberg and his Orchestra and Chorus, Genevieve Row, Eric Mattson and Lawrence Brooks (RCA Victor Album M-1051) *''Gems from Sigmund Romberg Shows, Volume 2'' - with Sigmund Romberg and his Orchestra and Chorus, Genevieve Row and Lawrence Brooks (RCA Victor Album MO-1256)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cornell, Lillian 1916 births 2015 deaths People from Chicago American film actresses 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American singers 21st-century American women American radio personalities