Lillian Cornell (born Lillian Michuda; June 2, 1916 - May 25, 2015) was an American singer on

old-time radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the early ...

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 = Country , subdivision_name ...

. 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 The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

, 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 The Blackstone Hotel is a historic 21-story hotel on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive in the Michigan Boulevard Historic District in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Built between 1908 and 1910, it is on the Nation ...

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 ar ...

'' 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 ''Buck Benny Rides Again'' is a 1940 American Western comedy film from Paramount Pictures starring Jack Benny and Ellen Drew. The film featured regulars from Benny's radio show including Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Andy Devine, Phil Harris, and D ...

''.

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 advertise ...

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 East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...

Partial filmography

*''

'' (1940) *''

Dancing on a Dime Dancing on a Dime is a 1940 Paramount Pictures movie directed by Joseph Santley about five actors and dancers putting on a show while living in a theatre. It is adapted from a novel of the same name written by Dorothy Young, which itself is bas ...

'' (1940) *''

Rhythm on the River ''Rhythm on the River'' is a 1940 musical comedy film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Bing Crosby and Mary Martin as ghostwriters whose songs are credited to a composer played by Basil Rathbone. Crosby and Martin sang " Only Forever ...

'' (1940) *'' The Quarterback'' (1940) *''

Kiss the Boys Goodbye ''Kiss the Boys Goodbye'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Mary Martin, Don Ameche and Oscar Levant. It is based on a play by Clare Boothe Luce which was inspired by the search for an actress to play Scarlett O'Ha ...

'' (1941) *'' The Mad Ghoul'' (1943) *'' Moon Over Las Vegas'' (1944) * ''

Sweethearts of the U.S.A. ''Sweethearts of the U.S.A.'' is a 1944 American musical comedy film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Una Merkel, Harry Parke, and Donald Novis.Taylor & Jackson p.276 In Britain, it was released under the alternative title of ''Sweethear ...

'' (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