Actress, Singer. She is probably best remembered for introducing the song "Lullaby of Broadway" in the 1935 musical "Gold Diggers of 1935." Born Winifred Lei Momi to parents of Hawaiian and Irish descent, she was the youngest of thirteen children and started her show career as a child in her parents' vaudeville act. When the act disbanded in 1920, she struck out on her own as a singer, dancer, and actress. In 1931 she was featured in "The Ziegfield Follies of 1931" and appeared in a brief revival of Broadway's "Simple Simon". Three years later, she made her first film appearance in a uncredited role in "Cross Country Cruise" followed by "Gift of Gab" the same year. She then signed with Warner Brothers Studios and appeared in over 20 films, including "In Caliente" (1935, in which she performed the song "The Lady in Red"), the 1936 films "The Case of the Velvet Claws," "Fugitive in the Sky," "Satan Met a Lady," "The Singing Kid," "Sons O' Guns," and the 1937 films "Ready, Willing, and Able" and "Smart Blonde." In 1939 she left Hollywood when her film career waned and during World War II she toured with Jack Benny's and Ed Wynn's USO troupes. Following the war, she performed as a headline singer in night clubs and Broadway, retiring in 1955. She died at the age of 75.
Actress, Singer. She is probably best remembered for introducing the song "Lullaby of Broadway" in the 1935 musical "Gold Diggers of 1935." Born Winifred Lei Momi to parents of Hawaiian and Irish descent, she was the youngest of thirteen children and started her show career as a child in her parents' vaudeville act. When the act disbanded in 1920, she struck out on her own as a singer, dancer, and actress. In 1931 she was featured in "The Ziegfield Follies of 1931" and appeared in a brief revival of Broadway's "Simple Simon". Three years later, she made her first film appearance in a uncredited role in "Cross Country Cruise" followed by "Gift of Gab" the same year. She then signed with Warner Brothers Studios and appeared in over 20 films, including "In Caliente" (1935, in which she performed the song "The Lady in Red"), the 1936 films "The Case of the Velvet Claws," "Fugitive in the Sky," "Satan Met a Lady," "The Singing Kid," "Sons O' Guns," and the 1937 films "Ready, Willing, and Able" and "Smart Blonde." In 1939 she left Hollywood when her film career waned and during World War II she toured with Jack Benny's and Ed Wynn's USO troupes. Following the war, she performed as a headline singer in night clubs and Broadway, retiring in 1955. She died at the age of 75.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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