Fanny Brice was an American actress, known for her work in theatre, film, and radio. She gained fame for her incredible performances in productions like “Ziegfeld Follies” and the radio show “The Baby Snooks Show.” Brice’s signature songs, including “My Man” and “Second Hand Rose,” remain iconic to this day.
Early Life
Born Fania Borach on October 29, 1891, in New York City, she was the daughter of Rose and Charles Borach, who owned a saloon and were of Hungarian Jewish descent. Brice was the third child in her family and left school at the age of 16 to pursue a career in entertainment. She started performing in burlesque and quickly became associated with Florenz Ziegfeld, starring in his famous Ziegfeld Follies from 1910 until the 1930s.
Personal Life
Fanny Brice was married three times. Her first marriage was to Frank White in 1910, but they divorced in 1913. She then married Julius Wilford Arndtstein, with whom she had two children, before divorcing in 1927. Later, she married Billy Rose in 1929, but their relationship ended in divorce in 1939. Despite her tumultuous personal life, her career flourished as she became a beloved figure on Broadway and in film.
Death and Legacy
Fanny Brice passed away on May 29, 1951, from a cerebral hemorrhage in Beverly Hills, California. She is remembered as a pioneering woman in comedy and performance, with influential contributions to stage and radio. Her legacy continued when Barbra Streisand portrayed her in the Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” which was later adapted into a film in 1968, bringing Brice’s story to new audiences.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ziegfeld Follies | 1945-08-26 | Norma Edelman (segment A Sweepstakes Ticket) |
| Everybody Sing | 1938-01-01 | Olga Chekaloff |
| The Great Ziegfeld | 1936-04-08 | Fannie Brice |
| Be Yourself! | 1930-02-07 | Fannie Field (as Fannie Brice) |
| My Man | 1928-12-15 | Fannie Brand |
| Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? | 1975-08-06 | Self (archive footage) |
| Hollywood Goes to Town | 1938-07-07 | Self |
| The Man from Blankley’s | 1930-03-28 | |
| Crime Without Passion | 1934-08-30 | Woman in Hotel Lobby (uncredited) |
| Almonds and Raisins | 1985-08-09 | |
| The Great Radio Comedians | 1971-05-11 | |
| Night Club | 1929-03-28 | Self |
| Making Trouble: Three Generations of Funny Jewish Women | 2007-06-16 | Self (archive footage) |
| Zelig | 1983-07-15 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |