Imogene Coca was born Imogene Fernandez de Coca on November 18, 1908 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On June 2, 2001, in Westport Connecticut, Imogene Coca passed away. At the time of her death Coca was suffering from Alzhiemers Disease.
Sadie Brady Coca, a dancer and a magician was the mother of Imogene Coca. Imogene's mother also performed in Vaudeville. Imogene's father, Jose Fernandez de Coca, was a violinist and a conductor at a small Philadelphia Opera House.
As a young girl, Imogene Coca, took piano lessons, vocal training, and dance classes.At the age of fifteen Imogene Coca left Philadelphia and went to New York where she debuted in the chorus of WHEN YOU SMILE. Imogene's singing and dancing became her career in musical reviews and clubs.
Imogene Coca's first husband, Robert Burton arranged music for many of her performances. Robert Burton died in 1955. Actor King Donovan, was Imogene Coca's second husband who performed with her many times. King Donovan died in 1987.
Imogene Coca was most famous for playing opposite Sid Caesar in YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS on NBC from 1950 - 1954. Coca also starred in her own show in 1954, IMOGENE COCA SHOW.
NEW FACES, the Broadway Production, was where Imogene Coca's comedic talent began to surface.This new talent opened up a whole new career for her.
Imogene Coca, worked four summers in the Poconos with Danny Kaye and Carol Channing in various productions.
A devoted animal lover offstage showed Imogene Coca's tender spirit. It was reported that she was, offstage, a very shy person.
In 1973, Imogene Coca was in a serious car accident that blinded her in one eye.
Some of Imogene's Credits include...
HOLLYWOOD: THE MOVIE - 1996
50 YEARS OF FUNNY FEMALES - 1995
COMIC RELIEF VI - 1994
MONSTERS: THE FACE - 1989
ALICE IN WONDERLAND - TV - 1985
FANTASY ISLAND - TV - 1983
A GIFT OF MUSIC - 1984
THE BIG SHOW - TV - 1980
A SPECIAL SESAME STREET CHRISTMAS - TV - 1978
YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - 1972 - 1973
THE ENCHANTED WORLD OF DANNY KAYE: THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES - TV
BEWITCHED - TV - 1971
TTHE CAROL BURNETT SHOW - TV -1969
THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW - TV - 1966
UNDER THE YUM YUM TREE - 1963
SID CAESAR INVITES YOU - TV -1958
BUZZY WUZZY - TV - 1948
DIME A DANCE - 1937
Awards bestowed upon Imogene Coca include...
Emmy Award - 1952 - YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS
Peabody Award - 1954
Lucy Awards - 1995
American Comedy Awards - 1988 - Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy
