Matinee Classics - Judy Canova Biography & Filmography

Judy Canova ACTOR

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JUDY CANOVA BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Judy Canova was born on November 20th, 1913 in Starke, Florida with the birth name Juliette Canova, born to Joseph Francis and Henrietta Perry Canova. Her mother was a professional singer and she instilled singing in all of the children encouraging them to pursue their talents.

Canova first began her singing career in yodeling, where she also played the guitar. She joined her two older siblings, Anne and Zeke in a singing vaudeville and radio act and became known as, The Georgia Crackers. Soon they become a foursome including their younger brother, Pete and the group traveled to New York to perform.

They first found radio work and then were given the chance to perform on Broadway in a production of, "Calling All Stars" (1934). Soon, Canova was given the opportunity to work as a solo artist performing on "Rudy Vallee's Radio Show". By 1936 she was also showcased in, "The Ziefeld Follies" and next was starring in her very own Broadway show, "Yokel Boy" (1939).

Still performing with her siblings on stage, the group was offered from Warner Brothers the chance to make their first short film debut in, "The Song of Fame" (1934) followed by their first feature film, "In Caliente" (1935).

Soon, Judy began to turn her focus on a solo career. She signed a contract with Republic Studios and was appearing in such films as, "Scatterbrain" (1940), "Sis Hopkins" (1941), "Puddin' Head" (1941), "True to the Army" (1942), "Sleepytime Gal" (1942), "Joan of Ozark" (1942) and "Chatterbox" (1943).

In addition to her film acting she also recorded for the RCA Victor label with such songs as, "Sleepy Lagoon", "Love in Bloom", "Rainbow Road" and "You Gotta Go Where the Train Goes" among many others.

Judy also started her own radio show in 1943 called, "The Judy Canova Show" which aired for twelve years. In addition she also guest appeared on other radio shows such as, "Bud Abbott", "Lou Costello" and "Fred Allen's" shows.

As her career progressed she did two more films, "Carolina Cannonball" (1955) and "Lay That Rifle Down" (1955). Judy then turned her focus to raising her family, focusing on her radio show and appeared mostly in television guest spots for the remainder of her career adding such credits as, "The Colgate Comedy Hour", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Red Skelton Hour", "Love, American Style" and her final appearance was on, "The Love Boat" in 1977.

Judy did start her own television production company called, Caravan Inc and also never neglected her love of live performing, making occasional appearances in Las Vegas nightclubs. Judy was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to the Film and Radio Industry.

She married a total of four times, first to Bob Burns, a radio and film personality in 1936, however the marriage came to an end just three years later. She was then married for just a couple months to James Ripley, but this marriage was annulled in 1941. Her third husband was Chester B. England in 1943 and they had one child together before this marriage ended in 1950. Her fourth and final husband was Filiberto Rivero in 1950 and they also had one child together. This marriage was also unsuccessful, ending in divorce in 1964.

Judy did not re-marry and on August 5th, 1983 she passed away at the age of sixty nine from cancer in Los Angeles, California. Her remains are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Glendale, California.