Jun 01 2009
Danny La Rue Legendary Female Impersonater Dies Aged 81
- Danny La Rue Legendary Female Impersonater Dies Aged 81 -
Danny La Rue 1927 – 2009
British Icon and National treasure Danny La Rue, OBE, has died.
Danny La Rue slipped away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 81. He had been suffering with cancer.
“His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent.”
He suffered a mild stroke in 2006 and all his UK performances for were cancelled until further notice. Since then he virtually withdrew from his beloved performing.
Danny La Rue was born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Cork, Ireland, on 26th July 1927. He left school at 15 and later joined the Royal Navy which saw him involved in the entertainment side of things.
He was a very popular and much loved entertainer. His high class act as a glamorous female impersonator was recognised by the Queen, when in in 2002 he was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to the entertainment industry.
- Order of the British Empire -
La Rue’s highly successful career spanned some 60 years in which he became an International success and one of the most loved performers that Britain has ever known.
-Barbara Windsor with Danny La Rue -
He was well respected within the show biz circuit where he was known as a gentlemen and a dame. He appeared in six smash hits West End shows and toured the world to sell out audiences.
He was a great entertainer and unusually for a drag queen he would perform most of his act using his well-spoken, natural male voice.
‘Danny lived for many years with his partner and manager, Jack Hanson, until Hanson died in Australia from a stroke in 1984’.
He entertained us in every sphere of Show Business, from films to television, to cabaret and concerts. He was a very versatile, unique and enigmatic presence in the world of entertaining.
His autobiography, “From Drags to Riches” was a best seller, basically he could do no wrong.
He appeared in the Royal Variety Performances of 1969, 1972 and 1978 and in 1969 was awarded Showbiz Personality of the Year from the Variety Club of Great Britain.
He was also made Theatre Personality of the Year in 1970 and in 1979 he was awarded Entertainer of the Decade.
“In a business he loves so much, Jimmy Tarbuck said, Danny La Rue is a giant. He is 100 per cent professional. He is a nice guy, and if anyone can captivate an audience, Dan can “.
Noel Coward described La Rue as: “The most professional, the most witty… and the most utterly charming man in the business.”
Dame Anna Neagle added: “One of the kindest and most generous men I’ve ever met”.
His passing is a huge loss to the world of entertainment. -
Danny La Rue 1927 – 2009 - R.I.P
- YouTube - Danny La Rue - with the disgraced Michael Barrymore -
How terrible that the world has lost such a great entertainer. I’m sure that he’ll be sorely missed by many - it sounds like there are a lot of people out there that have a great love and respect for the man.
I’m glad that he died peacefully in his sleep, it’s just a shame that such a successful performer is now gone.
Very well written article from you as always. An incredibly interesting piece of writing, and I feel that I know a lot more about Danny La Rue now for having read this. I’m proud of you.