Actor and singer Lillian Russell was a noted beauty of the American stage, and much beloved for her kindliness and charities. During the latter part of her life she became interested in public matters, and in 1921 President Harding appointed her a special investigator to study immigration conditions.
Sarah Bernhardt’s position as the first actress of her day was undisputed, and she tread the boards for more than 50 years.
May Beatty was one of several New Zealand performers who rose to prominence with the famed Pollard Opera Company during the 1890s.
For most of the 15 years she resided in New Zealand Mrs W. H. Foley was a star. She introduced many people to dramatic productions and whenever she appeared settlers crowded into the little halls which passed for theatres to experience the much-publicised magic of her performances.
Helena Modjeska (1844-1909), a Polish actress, who after 1876 resided in the United States.
Nola Luxford was a New Zealand-born actress, writer, pioneer broadcaster and founder of the Anzac Club in New York City during the Second World War.
In a 1915 press interview Annette Kellerman described the principal motivation at the heart of her successful career as performer, movie star, athlete and role model for the emerging 20th century modern woman: ‘Swimming for women is more than physical, it can engender self-confidence, and in the art and science of swimming, a kind of equality, even superiority to that of men. My chief pride and pleasure has been the knowledge that my work has stimulated an interest in swimming as a woman’s sport’.
Rita Moreno has influenced the entertainment industry for over 70 years as an actress, singer, and dancer. After earning the four major entertainment awards: an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, Moreno became the first Latina woman to have an “E.G.O.T.” In 2004, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her many contributions to the arts.
Sigrid Thornton is one of Australia’s most respected, popular and prolific screen and television actors. She has starred in many classic Australian films, including The Getting of Wisdom (1978), The Man from Snowy River (1982), The Lighthorsemen (1987) and The Man From Snowy River 2 (1988).
Artist, playwright, actor, novelist, director