Carmen Miranda
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
Advertisement
Advertisement
13
Carmen Miranda 1909 - 1955
Maria Do Carmo Miranda Da Cunha of Marco de Canaveses, Porto District Portugal was born on February 9, 1909 at marco de canaveses in marco de canaveses to José Maria Pinto Da Cunha and Maria Emilia Miranda Da Miranda. Maria Cunha died at age 46 years old on August 5, 1955 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California United States, and was buried in August 1955 at Cemitério São João Batista Botafogo. in Município de Rio de Janeiro., Rio De Janeiro Brazil.
Maria Do Carmo Miranda Da Cunha
Carmen Miranda, Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha, The Brazilian Bombshell
Marco de Canaveses in Marco de Canaveses, Porto District 4630-280, Portugal
February 9, 1909
marco de canaveses in marco de canaveses, Porto District, 4630280, portugal
August 5, 1955
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California, United States
Female
Looking for another Maria Cunha?
ADVERTISEMENT
BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Maria.
and everyone who remembers Maria.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.
and we'll notify you when they do.
Maria Do Carmo Miranda Da Cunha's History: 1909 - 1955
Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.- Discover how AncientFaces works.
-
Carmen Miranda was born Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha on February 9, 1909, near Porto, Portugal, in the town of Marco de Canavezes. Not long after her birth her family moved to Brazil, where her father was involved in the produce business. The family settled in the then-capital city of Rio de Janeiro. After leaving school, Carmen got a job at a local store, and began singing on the job. Before long she was discovered and got a singing job on a local radio station. She ultimately got a recording contract with RCA. By 1928 she was a genuine superstar in Brazil. As with other popular singers of the era, she eventually made her way into the film world. She made her debut in the Brazilian documentary A Voz do Carnaval (1933). Two years later she appeared in her first feature film, Alô, Alô, Brasil (1935). However. it was Estudantes (1935) that seemed to solidify Carmen in the minds of the Brazilian movie audiences. Now they realized she could act as well as sing. Although there was three years between "Alo, Alo Carnaval" and Banana-da-Terra (1939), Carmen continued to churn out musical hits in Brazil. The latter film would be the last in her home country. In late 1939 Carmen arrived, with much fanfare in the press, in New York City. She was now ready to capture Americans' hearts with her talent. She appeared in some musical revues on Broadway and, just as everyone thought, was a huge hit. In 1940 Carmen was signed to appear in the Twentieth Century-Fox production Down Argentine Way (1940), with Betty Grable and Don Ameche. The only complaint that critics had was the fact that Carmen was not on the screen enough. In 1941 she was again teamed with Ameche in addition to Alice Faye in That Night in Rio (1941). The film was extremely popular with the theater patrons. Her unique songs went a long way in making her popular. It was after Weekend in Havana (1941) that American cartoon artists began to cash in on Carmen's ever-growing popularity. In the 1930s and 1940s cartoons were sometimes shown as a prelude to whatever feature film was showing. Sure enough, the cartoon version of Carmen came wriggling across the screen, complete with her trademark fruit hat and wide, toothy grin. In 1942 Carmen starred in Springtime in the Rockies (1942) with Betty Grable and Cesar Romero, both of whom she had worked with before. It was shortly after this that America began adopting her style of dress as the latest fad. 1944 saw her in three films: Something for the Boys (1944), Four Jills in a Jeep (1944) and Greenwich Village (1944). The first two did well at the box-office, but the last one left a lot to be desired. It was her last busy year in film. Carmen made one film each in 1945, '46, '47 and '48. After that she didn't make a film for two years, until Nancy Goes to Rio (1950), a production for MGM. Once again she didn't make a film for several years, returning with Scared Stiff (1953). She did stay busy, singing on the nightclub circuit and appearing on the relatively new medium of television. However, "Scared Stiff" was her final performance on the silver screen. On August 4, 1955, she suffered a heart attack, although she didn't realize it at the time, during a video taping of The Jimmy Durante Show (1954). She went home after attending a party. Early the next morning, on August 5, Carmen suffered a fatal heart attack. She was just 46 years old. Her body was flown to her adopted country of Brazil, where her death was declared a period of national mourning.
-
02/91909February 9, 1909Birthdatemarco de canaveses in marco de canaveses, Porto District 4630280, portugalBirthplaceADVERTISEMENT BY
-
Carmen was born in Portugal but her family migrated to Brasil, where she was raised and began her career. She later moved to the United States where she had a successful film and television career. Carmen died in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
-
Carmen attended school in Brazil.
-
She was a practicing Catholic so she did not divorce her husband who was a brute to her.
-
The intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive was named Carmen Miranda Square. [September 1998] In the 1940s, she was the highest paid star and performer in the United States. The Lady with the Tutti-Frutti Hat in Hollywood musicals of the 1940s. See her at her sparkling best as the cheeky Rosita Murphy in the gorgeous Technicolor Springtime in the Rockies (1942), in which, without the slightest effort, she virtually steals every scene she's in - upstaging even the film's [nominal] star, Betty Grable. She appeared in the 1939 Broadway revue, "Streets of Paris", in which she introduced the song "South American Way". Sister of actress Aurora Miranda (born 1915), Olinda da Cunha (born 1907), Amaro da Cunha (born 1911), Cecília da Cunha (born 1913) and Oscar da Cunha (born 1916). Jimmy Buffett made her the subject of a song called "They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More". The song appeared on his album "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean" (1973). Leslie Fish made Carmen Miranda, or rather her ghost, the subject of a song called "Carmen Miranda's ghost is haunting Space Station Three". There is also a book by that name, containing a collection of short stories. The only connection between the stories is that each have to do with the title. Her contract with 20th Century Fox specified that there would be no cutting away from her to reaction shots and/or dialog from other players while her musical numbers were in progress. Daughter of José Maria Pinto da Cunha (1887-1938) and Maria Emília Miranda (1886-1971). She was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6262 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960. Pictured on one of five nondenominated USA commemorative stamps honoring Latin Music Legends, issued on 16 March 2011; price on day of issue was 44¢. The other stamps honored Tito Puente, Selena, Carlos Gardel and Celia Cruz. Following her sudden death, she was flown back to Rio de Janerio according with her wishes, and was interred at San Joao Batista Cemetery. To date (2016), she was the only Brazilian to have their hand - and footprints in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater. Though this was not widely known by her fans, she refused to wear panties forcing the camera to do very careful filming. Although born in Portugal, she considered herself Brazilian deep down.
-
Carmen Miranda was a young hat maker before she was invited to display her singing talents at a music academy. That attempt proved successful and she went on to become a popular singer in clubs and on radio in Brazil. It was during this time that she developed the costume with the distinctive fruit hat from the traditional headdress seen on black women fruit sellers. In the mid-thirties, a theatrical producer named Lee Shubert saw her act in Brazil and offered her a spot on his new Broadway show. Knowing the need for a real Brazilian band to keep the appropriate music true, she insisted that her backup band be included in the deal. With the help of the Brazilian government who saw the good national image opportunity in Carmen, her demand was met. She proved to be a hit on Broadway, though her image was that of a foreign bimbo because she didn't know English. She later made films, but by then much of Brazil thought she became too "Americanized". When the US entered World War II, South America became the subject of American diplomatic attention, because it was an alternative source for raw materials that previously came from Europe. Carmen was the showpiece of Hollywood's contribution to this attitude of trans-Continental chumminess. Unfortunately, in doing so, Carmen became trapped in the image of the fruit dancer that every producer insisted on having. Even her attempt at a break-out role in Copacabana had to have her doing the same dance act for part of the film. It proved to be a disaster in many ways since it failed and she married the producer of the film, David Sebastian. He proved to be an abusive and opportunistic brute who made Carmen's life hell. Yet Carmen was a good Catholic and never considered a divorce. Instead she kept up a grueling schedule of shows, taking uppers and downers to remain functional, even when they began to damage her health. Eventually she collapsed and her doctor ordered her to go back to Brazil. She recovered and returned to America to resume the grind until she died of a heart attack hours after her final appearance on the Jimmy Durante Show. Spouse (1) Dave Sebastian (17 March 1947 - 5 August 1955) ( her death)
-
08/51955August 5, 1955Death dateBeverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California United StatesHeart attackCause of deathDeath locationADVERTISEMENT BY
-
08/dd1955August 1955Funeral dateCemitério São João Batista Botafogo. in Município de Rio de Janeiro., Rio De Janeiro BrazilBurial location
-
Carmen Miranda ORIGINAL NAME Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha BIRTH 9 Feb 1909 Marco de Canavezes, Marco de Canaveses Municipality, Porto, Portugal DEATH 5 Aug 1955 (aged 46) Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA BURIAL Cemitério São João Batista Botafogo, Município de Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil PLOT Alea 5 - n.1724E-1 MEMORIAL ID 1588 · View Source Renowned Actress, Dancer, and Singer. Born in Marco de Canavezes, Portugal, her family moved to Brazil when she was still a toddler. She was singing at her hatmaking job as a teenager when she was discovered by a local promoter. She began singing on local radio and secured a recording contract with RCA, soon becoming a major Brazillian star. Miranda made her United States debut in 1939, singing and dancing in several well-received Broadway revues and nightclub performances. Her first film, "Down Argentine Way," was released in 1940 to good notices, and would be followed with such films as "Weekend in Havana," "Springtime in the Rockies," "Something for the Boys," "Four Jills in a Jeep," "Copacabana," and "Scared Stiff." She would also make regular television appearances and live appearances, almost always in her often-copied fruit hat and distinctive dress. She died of a heart attack after performing a dance number on a Jimmy Durante TV show. Parents José Maria Pinto da Cunha 1887–1938 Maria Emilia Miranda da Miranda Cunha 1886–1971 Spouse David Alfred Sebastian 1908–1990 Siblings Aurora Miranda 1915–2005ADVERTISEMENT BYLooking for more information?
Advertisement
Advertisement
16 Memories, Stories & Photos about Maria
Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
10/29/2023
Carmen Miranda
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
10/29/2023
Carmen Miranda
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
10/29/2023
Carmen Miranda
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Daniel Pinna 
Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
10/29/2023
Carmen Miranda
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
10/29/2023
Carmen Miranda
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Loading...one moment please
Family, friend, or fan...
share memories, stories,
photos, or simply leave
a comment to show
you care.
Remember the past to connect today & preserve for tomorrow.
- See how biographies work.
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT
BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Maria Cunha's Family Tree & Friends
|
Partner
Child
|
Sibling
|
Parent
Parent
|
Partner
Sibling
Child
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
13 Followers & Sources
ADVERTISEMENT
BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Other Biographies
Other Maria Cunha Biographies
Cunha, Maria (Born circa 1968)
Cunha, Maria (Born circa 1944)
Cunha, Maria (Apr 29, 1925 - Jan 10, 2011)
Cunha, Maria (Apr 19, 1931 - Aug 4, 2005)
Cunha, Maria (Mar 25, 1893 - Sep 1978)
Cunha, Maria (Nov 18, 1916 - Dec 27, 2002)
Cunha, Maria (Dec 13, 1918 - May 5, 1999)
Cunha, Maria (Nov 1, 1895 - Jan 1992)
Cunha, Maria (Oct 19, 1895 - Feb 1983)
Cunha, Maria (Dec 28, 1917 - May 31, 1998)
Cunha, Maria (Jan 14, 1915 - Jul 18, 1993)
Cunha, Maria (Nov 9, 1952 - Jan 2, 2011)
Cunha Mendes, Maria (Jan 24, 1958 - Mar 29, 1991)
Cunha, Maria (May 30, 1922 - Sep 2, 1993)
Cunha, Maria (Aug 31, 1920 - Jun 25, 2002)
Cunha, Maria (Jan 17, 1927 - May 3, 1997)
Cunha, Maria (Apr 14, 1923 - Nov 15, 1999)
Cunha, Maria (Sep 26, 1894 - Feb 1986)
Cunha, Maria (Feb 16, 1901 - Oct 3, 1987)
Cunha, Maria (Jun 12, 1925 - Apr 21, 2002)
Other Cunha Family Biographies
Cunha, Manuel (Nov 28, 1909 - Jan 1, 2000)
Cunha, Robert (Sep 13, 1943 - Mar 25, 2004)
Cunha, Albina (May 22, 1918 - Feb 4, 2007)
Cunha, Carol (Jun 2, 1940 - Mar 13, 2006)
Cunha, Elizabeth (Jun 6, 1881 - Jul 15, 1970)
Cunha, Lutina (Jun 24, 1894 - Nov 1970)
Cunha, Frank (Dec 29, 1901 - Feb 18, 1993)
Cunha, Anthony (Feb 10, 1903 - Sep 1953)
Cunha, John (Nov 2, 1900 - Feb 1983)
Cunha, Arthur (Oct 25, 1926 - Nov 25, 2008)
Cunha, Mary (Apr 18, 1902 - Nov 3, 1995)
Cunha, John (Oct 3, 1927 - Apr 2, 2003)
Cunha, Rose (Dec 7, 1925 - Oct 26, 1995)
Cunha, Gerald (Feb 16, 1939 - Jan 8, 2010)
Cunha, Sharryn (May 31, 1946 - Nov 4, 1997)
Cunha, Humberto (Nov 15, 1929 - Aug 4, 2003)
Cunha, Daniel (Jun 21, 2010 - Oct 10, 2010)
Cunha, Joseph (Feb 24, 1897 - May 1965)
Cunha, Hele (Nov 2, 1913 - Feb 28, 1999)
Cunha, Joseph (Apr 10, 1912 - Nov 26, 2002)
Advertisement
Advertisement
About the AncientFaces Community