Cleo Laine
About
Biography
Filmography
Bibliography
Biography
Cleo Laine was an actress who had a successful Hollywood career. She began her career as a singer and actress in the 1950s. In 1959, she performed in the musical adaptation of Ronald Firbank's novel Valmouth. In 1962, she appeared in the play "A Time to Laugh" with Robert Morley and Ruth Gordon. In 1964, she won raves for her album Shakespeare and All that Jazz. In 1972, she launched her career in the U.S. with a concert at New York's Lincoln Center. In 1980, she starred in the musical "Colette" at the Comedy Theatre in London. In 1983, she released Cleo at Carnegie: The 10th Anniversary Concert; won Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female. In 1992, she appeared with Frank Sinatra for a week of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1957, she made her TV debut on "The Benny Hill Show" (BBC). Laine worked on a variety of projects during her early entertainment career, including "Cotton Club '75" (NBC, 1974-75), "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" (NBC, 1985-86) and "The 40th Annual Tony Awards" (CBS, 1985-86). She also contributed to "The Criminal" with Stanley Baker (1962), "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" (1961) starring Vivien Leigh and "The Servant" (1963) starring Dirk Bogarde. Laine won a Best Jazz Vocal Performance Grammy Award in 1983. She also contributed to a variety of television specials, including "Evening at Pops (06/20/87)" (1986-87), "CBS' Happy New Year America 1987" (CBS, 1987-88) and "Celebrating Gershwin" (PBS, 1987-88). She also appeared in "On the Town in Concert" (PBS, 1993-94). She also appeared in "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" (2000). Additionally, she could be seen on a variety of television specials like "The Great Love Songs" (1994-95), "Frank Sinatra: The Voice" (1997-98) and "Princess Margaret: The Rebel Princess" (1999-2000). Laine also contributed music to the Jimi Mistry comedy "Touch of Pink" (2004). Most recently, Laine appeared on "VE Day: Remembering Victory" (BBC 1, 2014-15). Laine had two children.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Life Events
1940
Cast as an extra in "The Thief of Baghdad"
1957
Made her TV debut on "The Benny Hill Show" (BBC)
1959
Performed in the musical adaptation of Ronald Firbank's novel Valmouth
1961
Appeared as a singer in "The Third Alibi" and "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone"
1962
Appeared in the play "A Time to Laugh" with Robert Morley and Ruth Gordon
1964
Won raves for her album Shakespeare and All that Jazz
1970
Along with husband John Dankworth, founded The Stables Theatre
1971
Cast as Julie in a production of "Show Boat" at the Adelphi Theatre in London
1972
Launched her career in the U.S. with a concert at New York's Lincoln Center
1980
Starred in the musical "Colette" at the Comedy Theatre in London
1983
Released Cleo at Carnegie: The 10th Anniversary Concert; won Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
1992
Appeared with Frank Sinatra for a week of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London
1994
Published her autobiography Cleo
2000
Made a cameo appearance in the HBO movie "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" opposite Judi Dench and Olympia Dukakis
2007
Featured in the British documentary series "Legends"
Videos
Movie Clip
Family
