Post by MR A on Jun 1, 2009 10:51:08 GMT -5
Danny La Rue
Entertainer Danny La Rue has died at his home in Kent at the age of 81.
La Rue's spokeswoman told the PA News Agency that the star had died after suffering from prostate cancer.
"Danny died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight last night after a short illness," she said.
His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent.
Danny La Rue, the self-styled grand dame of female impersonation, who died on Sunday aged 81, achieved national recognition in the late 1960s and early 1970s when he became one of the biggest stars on the cabaret circuit; his combination of expensive gowns and a flagrant overuse of double entendre proved extremely successful.
With his dazzling coiffures, extravagant costumes, immaculate make-up, fitted eyelashes, blonde peek-a-boo wig and high heels, La Rue — tall and handsome — brought an air of amiable and poised self-mockery to clubs, cabarets, variety halls and summer shows for nearly 40 years.
Beneath huge headdresses and in sequin-studded gowns, La Rue in his heyday would don specially-designed creations of beaded pink lace and tulle with trains of ostrich feathers up to 20-ft long. Thus glorified, La Rue became one of the best-loved professional cross-dressers of his time.
Entertainer Danny La Rue has died at his home in Kent at the age of 81.
La Rue's spokeswoman told the PA News Agency that the star had died after suffering from prostate cancer.
"Danny died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight last night after a short illness," she said.
His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent.
Danny La Rue, the self-styled grand dame of female impersonation, who died on Sunday aged 81, achieved national recognition in the late 1960s and early 1970s when he became one of the biggest stars on the cabaret circuit; his combination of expensive gowns and a flagrant overuse of double entendre proved extremely successful.
With his dazzling coiffures, extravagant costumes, immaculate make-up, fitted eyelashes, blonde peek-a-boo wig and high heels, La Rue — tall and handsome — brought an air of amiable and poised self-mockery to clubs, cabarets, variety halls and summer shows for nearly 40 years.
Beneath huge headdresses and in sequin-studded gowns, La Rue in his heyday would don specially-designed creations of beaded pink lace and tulle with trains of ostrich feathers up to 20-ft long. Thus glorified, La Rue became one of the best-loved professional cross-dressers of his time.
