Mimi Chandler
Mimi Chandler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mildred Watkins Chandler October 15, 1926 Versailles, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 13, 2016 (aged 89) Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Happy Chandler |
| Relatives | Ben Chandler (nephew) |
Mimi Chandler (born Mildred Watkins Chandler; October 15, 1926 – September 13, 2016) was an American actress, singer and Kentucky state tourism executive.[1]
Biography
Chandler was born in Versailles, Kentucky, to Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Sr., who would go onto serve as the 2nd Commissioner of Baseball, Senator from Kentucky and Kentucky governor twice, and his wife Mildred Lucille Watkins.[1]
Chandler was discovered by David Butler when her family were invited to watch the premier of his film Kentucky (1938). Butler introduced her to Buddy DeSylva, then executive producer at Paramount Pictures.[2] Chandler had a screen test at Paramount where she sang the songs "How Come You Do Me Like You Do?" and the novelty song "Mr. Five by Five".[3] After her screen test DeSylva was impressed and was quoted as saying to her father Happy "She's a triple threat, she can sing, she can dance and she can act."[2] In 1942 she was signed to a seven-year contract to Paramount starting at $150 a week.[3] Her first role was in the 1943 film Henry Aldrich Swings It where she replaced Diana Lynn as the female lead.[4][5] She then was given a starring role as one of four singing sisters in the 1944 film And the Angels Sing with Fred MacMurray, Dorothy Lamour, Betty Hutton and Diana Lynn.[6] After And the Angels Sing, she married John Kennedy Cabell and Paramount suspended her contract, having been in films for only a year.[2]
She then went on to become a disk jockey for the then newly formed radio station WVLK and later became an executive for Kentucky State Tourism.[1][7]
Chandler died from complications of a stroke on September 13, 2016, at the age of 89, in Lexington, Kentucky.[1]
Personal life
Chandler's first marriage was to John Kennedy Cabell in 1944 and she later went on to marry Bruce Lewis.[8][1]
Filmography
- Henry Aldrich Swings It (1943) – Mimi Gray
- And the Angels Sing (1944) – Patti Angel
References
- ^ a b c d e "Obituary information for Mimi Lewis". blackburnandward.com. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Interview with Mildred Watkins Chandler, July 2, 1991". nunncenter.net. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ^ a b "Mimi Goes to Hollywood, Senator Chandler's daughter lands 7-year movie contract" (PDF). Life. November 30, 1942. pp. 60–63. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD; Bill Robinson, After 4 Years, Returning to the Screen in 'Thanks, Pal,' for Fox FANTASIA' REVIVAL HERE Uncut Version Opens Today at Little Carnegie -- New Film at Capitol Wednesday". The New York Times. December 1, 1942. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Henry Aldrich Swings It (1943) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (July 13, 1944). "' And the Angels Sing,' Mild Farce, With Hutton and Lamour, Presented at Paramount -- 'Take It or Leave It' at Roxy". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ "Mimi Chandler Does 'Side-Saddle Disk Jock' Show on Papa's Station". Variety. February 4, 1948. p. 34 – via Archive.org.
- ^ "MIMI CHANDLER TO WED; Actress, Daughter of Senator, Engaged to Maj. J. Cabell". The New York Times. June 6, 1944. Retrieved May 24, 2026.