Falana biography

American singer, dancer, and actress (born 1942)

Not to be confused with Lenora Fulani.

Loletha Elayne Falana^[1] or Loletha Elaine Falana^[2][3] (born September 11, 1942),^[5][6] better known by her stage name Lola Falana, is an American singer, dancer, and actress.^[7] She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1975 for her performance as Edna Mae Sheridan in Doctor Jazz.^[8]

Early life

Lola Falana was born in Camden, New Jersey.

She was the third of six children^[2] born to Bennett, a welder,^[2] and Cleo Falana, a seamstress (1921–2010).^[9] Falana's father, an Afro-Cuban,^[10] left his homeland of Cuba to serve in the U.S.

Marine Corps, later becoming a welder shortly after meeting Falana's mother, who was African-American.^[10][2] By age 3, Falana was dancing, and by age 5, she was singing in the c