Name: Shani Wallis
Date of Birth: 14 April 1933 A popular musical name noted on film for one delightfully feisty Cockney lass, Shani Wallis was born in 1933 in Tottenham (North London), England, and initially studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on a scholarship. On stage from age 4 and performing in repertory as an early teen, she became one of the brighter young singing voices of her day. She made her West End musical debut at age 18 with "Call Me Madam" at the Coliseum in 1952, and immediately established herself in the role of Pri... ncess Maria, the leading ing?nue. Following other starring roles in the mediocre musicals "Happy as a King" and "Wish You Were Here," she scored again in "Wonderful Town" (1955) playing a comic soubrette, and as another spirited ing?nue in "Finian's Rainbow" (1958). In between were a number of musical revue shows. In 1960 she replaced Tony-winner 'Elizabeth Seal' (qv) in the title role of "Irma La Douce" at London's Lyric Theatre. After the show closed, few offers seemed to come her way so she decided to try her luck in America. She went about rebuilding her name on the cabaret, concert and club circuits, and added more musical roles such as "South Pacific," "The King and I" and "Bells Are Ringing" to her credits. She finally made it to Broadway in 1966, co-starring with the legendary 'Tessie O'Shea' (qv) in "A Time For Singing," a musical version of "How Green Was My Valley." Backed by three strong numbers, she had a chance to shine in the 'Maureen O'Hara (I)' (qv) colleen role, but the show closed after a disappointing run of 41 performances. A few inconsequential film roles had come her way earlier in England, including _The Extra Day (1956)_ (qv) and _Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)_ (qv), not to mention a minor singing bit in 'Charles Chaplin' (qv)'s _A King in New York (1957)_ (qv). Other than assorted variety show appearances and a televised performance supporting 'Carol Burnett' (qv) in _Once Upon a Mattress (1964) (TV)_ (qv), she found only a modicum of on-camera work. All the more astounding then when she nabbed the role of a lifetime as the ill-fated Nancy in the Oscar-winning picture _Oliver! (1968)_ (qv). Successfully replacing the seemingly irreplaceable 'Georgia Brown (I)' (qv), Shani made a durable marquee name for herself while giving her all in the rousing "Oom-pah Pah" number and putting her own indelible stamp on the show-stopping "As Long As He Needs Me," now considered her signature song. Having never played the part before, she went on to perform Nancy on the theatre stage as well. Shani was seen only sporadically in films following this breakthrough, including the horror opus _Terror in the Wax Museum (1973)_ (qv), for the live stage was still her first love. Over the years she has gamely performed in a number of musical staples, including "42nd Street" and "Follies," and toured with 'Liberace (I)' (qv) for five years during the 1980s. Lately she is a regular on the day-time soap _"The Young and the Restless" (1973)_ (qv) as a nanny type. Long married to agent and former actor 'Bernard Rich' (qv), their daughter 'Rebecca Rich (I)' (qv) is a costume designer.Read more Shani Wallis movies (actor)User Comments |
