Helen Morgan

Biography

Helen Morgan was an American singer and actress who performed on stage and in films, known for her work as a torch singer. Born in Danville, Illinois, she took voice lessons and began singing in Chicago clubs. Florenz Ziegfeld noticed her in the chorus of Sally in 1923, and she later appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1931, also taking music lessons at the Metropolitan Opera. Her best-known role was Julie LaVerne in the original 1927 Broadway production of Show Boat, and she played the part again in a 1932 revival and in the 1936 film version, Show Boat (1936). She also starred as Kitty Darling in Applause (1929) and took the title role in the Broadway musical Sweet Adeline. She died in 1941.

41years old at death

Born August 2, 1900Danville
Died October 8, 1941Chicago
Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22

Movie Career

Films: 4
Career span: 7 years1929 to 1936

Every film, newest first

1936Show BoatIMDb rating 7.4
1935Sweet MusicIMDb rating 5.8
1929ApplauseIMDb rating 7.1
1929Glorifying the American GirlIMDb rating 5.7

Genres

Did you know?!

Big break
Florenz Ziegfeld spotted Morgan in 1923 when she danced in the chorus of his production Sally. She later performed with the Ziegfeld Follies in 1931, that group's last active year.
Early training
Morgan started singing in Chicago speakeasies after taking voice lessons, and she had done both by the time she was 20.
Own stunts
Helen Morgan made a pose draped over the piano her signature while she performed at Billy Rose's Backstage Club in 1925.

Helen Morgan movies on Netflix

Show Boat1936IMDb rating 7.4as Julie LaVerne
Sweet Music1935IMDb rating 5.8as Herself
Applause1929IMDb rating 7.1as Kitty Darling
Glorifying the American Girl1929IMDb rating 5.7as Helen Morgan - Appearance in Revue Scenes

Worked with

Helen Morgan shares two films with Rudy Vallee, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Rudy Vallee

Henry O'Neill

Russell Hicks

Allen Jenkins

Addison Richards

Clarence MuseJames WhaleDirector, 1 film Rouben MamoulianDirector, 1 film Millard WebbDirector, 1 film

Films together

Rudy Vallee2 films together, 1929 to 1935
Rudy Vallee's page
- Sweet Music1935IMDb rating 5.8Morgan as HerselfVallee as Skip Houston
- Glorifying the American Girl1929IMDb rating 5.7Morgan as Helen Morgan - Appearance in Revue ScenesVallee as Rudy Vallee - Appearance in Revue Scenes
Henry O'Neill1 film together, 1935
Henry O'Neill's page
- Sweet Music1935IMDb rating 5.8Morgan as HerselfO'Neill as Louis Trumble
Russell Hicks1 film together, 1935
Russell Hicks's page
- Sweet Music1935IMDb rating 5.8Morgan as HerselfHicks as Mayor of New York City
Allen Jenkins1 film together, 1935
Allen Jenkins's page
- Sweet Music1935IMDb rating 5.8Morgan as HerselfJenkins as Barney Cowan
Addison Richards1 film together, 1935
Addison Richards's page
- Sweet Music1935IMDb rating 5.8Morgan as HerselfRichards as Mr. Thomas
Clarence Muse1 film together, 1936
Clarence Muse's page
- Show Boat1936IMDb rating 7.4Morgan as Julie LaVerneMuse as Sam
James WhaleDirector, 1 film, 1936
All films by James Whale
- Show Boat1936IMDb rating 7.4Morgan as Julie LaVerne
Rouben MamoulianDirector, 1 film, 1929
All films by Rouben Mamoulian
- Applause1929IMDb rating 7.1Morgan as Kitty Darling
Millard WebbDirector, 1 film, 1929
All films by Millard Webb
- Glorifying the American Girl1929IMDb rating 5.7Morgan as Helen Morgan - Appearance in Revue Scenes

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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