Lauper, Cyndi 1953–

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Lauper, Cyndi 1953–

(Mona Flambay, Mona Flambe, Ellen Shaw)

PERSONAL

Full name, Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper; born June 22 (some sources cite June 20), 1953, in Ozone Park (some sources cite Astoria), NY; daughter of Fred and Catrine Dominique (a waitress) Lauper; married David Thornton (an actor), November 24, 1991; children: Declyan Wallace. Education: Attended a Vermont college for one year.

Addresses:

Agent—Jon Podell, Podell Talent Agency, 22 West 21st St., 9th Floor, New York, NY 10010.

Career:

Singer, songwriter, actress, recording artist, and producer. Sang with dance cover bands, early 1970s-1977; member of the bands Flyer, 1977, and Blue Angel, 1977-1982; solo artist, c. 1983—, including international tours with Doc West, 1974, Tina Turner, 1997, and Cher, 1999, 2002; music producer, sometimes credited as Mona Flambay or Mona Flambe. Manager of a female wrestler named Wendi Richter and other competitors. Appeared in Japanese television commercial for Dominoes Pizza, 1995; also appeared in Dr. Pepper soft drink commercial, 2002. Worked in a New York City Japanese nightclub, a vintage clothing store, and as a housekeeper, waitress, kennel worker, and racetrack horse walker.

Awards, Honors:

American Music Awards, outstanding pop/rock female artist and outstanding pop/rock female video artist, both 1984; seven award nominations, National Academy of Video Arts and Sciences, 1984; Grammy Award nominations, record of the year and best female pop vocal performance, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and MTV Video Music Award nomination, best new female artist, all 1984, for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"; MTV Video Music Award nomination, best new female artist, 1985, for "Time After Time"; Grammy Award, best new artist, 1984, for "She's So Unusual"; New Directions Award, Crystal Awards, Women in Film, 1985; Emmy Award nomination, 1994, and Emmy Award, 1995, both outstanding guest actress in a comedy series, for Mad About You; Grammy Award nomination, best dance single, 1998, for "Disco Inferno"; platinum and multi-platinum certified albums, Recording Industry Association of America.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Specials:

We Are the World (also known as We Are the World: The Video Event), 1985.

The Patti LaBelle Show, NBC, 1985.

An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., NBC, 1986.

Cyndi Lauper in Paris, HBO, 1987.

Rolling Stone Magazine's 20 Years of Rock 'n' Roll, ABC, 1987.

Late Night With David Letterman Sixth Anniversary Special, NBC, 1988.

Late Night With David Letterman Eighth Anniversary Special, NBC, 1990.

Tribute to John Lennon, syndicated, 1990.

Young Pink, The Wall: Live in Berlin (also known as The Wall: Berlin 90), 1990.

In a New Light '93, ABC, 1993.

The American Music Awards 20th Anniversary Special, ABC, 1993.

Lifetime Applauds: The Fight against Breast Cancer, Lifetime, 1995.

"We Are the World:" A 10th Anniversary Tribute, Disney Channel, 1995.

Unauthorized Biography: Milo—Death of a Supermodel, Comedy Central, 1997.

Intimate Portrait: Patti LaBelle, Lifetime, 1998.

Christmas in Rockefeller Center, NBC, 1998.

Intimate Portrait: Cyndi Lauper, Lifetime, 1999.

Voice of Pidge, The Happy Prince: An Animated Special from "The Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child" (animated), 1999.

Grammy's Greatest Performances, CBS, 1999.

Rock 'n Roll Moments, The Learning Channel, 1999.

An All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell, TNT, 2000.

Women Rock! Girls & Guitars, Lifetime, 2000.

Martha Stewart's Christmas Dream, CBS, 2000.

Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music, TNT and The WB, 2001.

VH1 Presents the '80s, VH1, 2001.

Pops Goes the Fourth! 2001, Arts and Entertainment, 2001.

Intimate Portrait: Lee Grant, Lifetime, 2001.

From the Waist Down: Men, Women & Music, VH1, 2001.

Everybody Talk AboutPop Music!, MTV, 2001.

Broadway's Best, Bravo, 2002.

VH1 Divas Las Vegas, VH1, 2002.

(In archive footage) American Bandstand's 50th Anniversary Celebration, ABC, 2002.

A Barry Manilow Christmas: Live by Request, Arts and Entertainment, 2003.

Totally Gayer, VH1, 2004.

VH1 Divas 2004, VH1, 2004.

E! Nobel Peace Prize Concert Special, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

(In archive footage) Lipstick & Dynamite, Piss & Vinegar: The First Ladies of Wrestling, 2004.

The Great Wall Concert, MTV, 2005.

All Time Greatest Movie Songs, BBC, 2006.

CMT Greatest Moments: Wynonna, Country Music Television, 2006.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Presenter, The 11th Annual American Music Awards, ABC, 1984.

The 26th Annual Grammy Awards, 1984.

MTV 1st Annual Video Music Awards, MTV, 1984.

Performer, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV, 1985.

The 30th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1988.

MTV's 1988 Video Music Awards, MTV, 1988.

The 33rd Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1991.

Presenter, The American Music Awards, ABC, 1993, 1994.

Presenter, The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 1995.

Presenter, The 45th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 2003.

Lifetime's Achievement Awards: Women Changing the World, Lifetime, 2003.

Audience member, The 47th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 2005.

Performer, 2005 American Music Awards, ABC, 2005.

The 60th Annual Tony Awards, 2006.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Singer, An Evening at the Improv, syndicated, 1982.

The Rock 'n' Roll Evening News, syndicated, 1986.

Herself, "Captain Lou Is Missing," The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (also known as Club Mario), syndicated, 1989.

ABC in Concert, ABC, 1991.

Marianne Lugasso, "A Pair of Hearts," Mad About You, NBC, 1993.

Singer, Fotogramas de Plata 94, 1995.

Marianne Lugasso, "Money Changes Everything," Mad About You, NBC, 1995.

Marianne Lugasso (in archive footage), "Clip Show," Mad About You, NBC, 1996.

Voice, "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1999.

Marianne Lugasso, "Stealing Burt's Car," Mad About You, NBC, 1999.

Fox News, Fox News Channel, 2000.

Herself, 190 North, 2002.

Chartbusting 80s, 2004.

Voice of Operator Hero, "Smooth Operator/Stinky Situation," Higglytown Heroes (animated), Disney Channel, 2004.

Herself, "Home Fires," The Chris Isaak Show, Showtime, 2004.

Miss Petuto, "Art Breaker," That's So Raven!, Disney Channel, 2005.

Herself, Queer as Folk (also known as Q.A.F. and Queer as Folk USA), Showtime, 2005.

(In archive footage) "Lo veraniego," La tierra de la 1000 musicas, 2005.

(In archive footage) 80s, Television de Catalunya, 2005.

Celebrity Duets, Fox, 2006.

(In archive footage) Video on Trial, 2006.

Also appeared in episodes of Hard Rock Live and True Spin, VH1.

Television Guest Appearances; Episodic:

Top of the Pops (also known as All New Top of the Pops and TOTP), BBC, multiple appearances, 1984—.

The New Show, 1984.

American Bandstand (also known as AB and Bandstand), ABC, 1984.

The Rock 'n' Roll Evening News, syndicated, 1986.

Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1989.

The Howard Stern Show, 1993.

Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show and Late Show Backstage), CBS, multiple appearances, between 1993 and 2004.

Live & Kicking, 1993, 1995, 1997.

The Jack Dee Show, 1994.

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC, 1994, 1997.

Politically Incorrect (also known as P.I.), Comedy Central, 1995.

The Oprah Winfrey Show (also known as Oprah), syndicated, 1995, 1999, 2004.

Howard Stern, E! Entertainment Television, 1996.

Smap x smap, Fuji, 1996.

The RuPaul Show, VH1, 1997.

Noel's House Party, 1997.

Special guest, The Girlie Show, 1997.

Taratata, 1997.

Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1997.

The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 1998.

Live with Regis and Kelly, syndicated, 2000.

The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (also known as The Late Late Show), CBS, 2000, 2002.

"Cyndi Lauper," Behind the Music (also known as VH1's "Behind the Music"), VH1, 2002.

Access Hollywood, syndicated, 2002.

The Caroline Rhea Show, syndicated, 2002.

Today (also known as NBC News Today and The Today Show), NBC, 2002, 2005.

Breakfast with the Arts, Arts and Entertainment, 2003.

VH1: All Access, VH1, 2003.

Die Harald Schmidt Show (also known as Late Night Show mit Harald Schmidt), 2003.

Tout le monde en parle, 2003.

V Graham Norton, Channel 4, 2003.

Today with Des and Mel, ITV, 2003.

This Morning (also known as This Morning with Richard and Judy), ITV, 2004.

Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC, 2004.

The Sharon Osbourne Show (also known as Sharon), syndicated, 2004.

Rove Live, 10 Network, 2004.

Good Morning Australia (also known as G.M.A.), 10 Network, 2004.

The Footy Show, 9 Network, 2004.

110 Percent Tony Squires, 7 Network, 2004.

Mornings with Kerri-Anne, 2004.

Mondo Thingo, ABC (Australia), 2004.

Today (also known as The Today Show), 9 Network, 2004.

Soundstage, PBS, 2004.

"Cyndi Lauper Guest Programs Rage," Rage, ABC (Australia), 2004.

The Graham Norton Effect, Comedy Central, 2004.

Canada A.M. (also known as Canada A.M. Weekend), CTV, 2005.

The Tony Danza Show, syndicated, 2005.

Showbiz Tonight, Cable News Network, 2005.

Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, syndicated, 2005.

Corazon de …, 2005.

The View, ABC, 2006.

Good Morning America, ABC, 2006.

Martha, syndicated, 2006.

Davina, BBC, 2006.

Also guest for The Uncle Floyd Show.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

America's Top 10, 1990.

I Love the '80s Strikes Back, VH1, 2003.

Retrosexual: The 80's, VH1, 2004.

Television Appearances; Other:

Mary (who had a little lamb), Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (movie), Disney Channel, 1990.

Herself, The Naked Brothers Band (pilot), Nickelodeon, 2005.

Television Work; Series:

(As Ellen Shaw) Theme song performer, Pee-wee's Playhouse, CBS, 1986-91.

Television Work; Specials:

Producer, Rock 'n' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular, CBS, 1985.

Film Appearances:

Sylvia Pickel, Vibes (also known as Vibes: The Secret of the Golden Pyramids), Columbia, 1988.

Just One Step: The Great Peace March, 1988.

Cyd Morse, Off and Running (also known as Moon over Miami), 1991.

Geena Briganti, Life with Mikey (also known as Give Me a Break), Buena Vista, 1993.

(Uncredited) Picnic guest, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (also known as Mrs. Parker and the Round Table), Lauren Film, 1994.

Sally Mahon, The Opportunists, First Look Pictures Releasing, 2000.

Film Work; Song Performer:

(And song producer) "The Goonies 'r' Good Enough" and "What a Thrill," The Goonies, Warner Bros., 1985.

(And song producer) "Hole in My Heart," Vibes (also known as Vibes: The Secret of the Golden Pyramids), Columbia, 1988.

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Peter's Friends, Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1992.

"Time After Time," Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Buena Vista, 1997.

"She Bop," Never Been Kissed, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1999.

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Karaoke Verite, 1999.

"I Want a Mom that Will Last Forever," Rugrats in Paris—The Movie, Paramount, 2000.

"Time After Time," Napoleon Dynamite, Fox Search-light, 2004.

Many recordings of Lauper's songs have been featured in numerous other films.

Stage Appearances:

Jenny, The Threepenny Opera, Roundabout Theatre Company, Studio 54, New York City, 2006.

Radio Appearances; Episodic:

Upper Room with Joe Kelly, 2002.

Guest on National Public Radio; also guest on British, Japanese, and Australian radio programs.

RECORDINGS

Albums:

(With Blue Angel) Blue Angel, Polydor, 1980.

She's So Unusual, Portrait/CBS, 1984.

True Colors, Portrait/CBS, 1987.

A Night to Remember, Epic, 1989.

Hatful of Stars, Epic, 1993.

That's What I Think, Sony, 1994.

(And director) Cyndi Lauper: 12 Deadly Cynsand Then Some, Epic, 1995.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Sony, 1995.

Sisters of Avalon, Epic, 1997.

Merry ChristmasHave a Nice Life, Epic, 1998.

Wanna Have Fun, Sony Music Special Products, 1998.

Best Remixes, Sony International, 1999.

Feels like Christmas, Sony Music Special Products, 2001.

Shine, 2002.

Time After Time: The Best of Cyndi Lauper, 2002.

The Essential Cyndi Lauper, Legacy Recordings, 2003.

At Last, Epic, 2003.

Great Cyndi Lauper, Rajon, 2003.

Greatest Collection, Platinum Disc, 2004.

Les Indispensables, Sony International, 2004.

Hey Now! Remixes & Rarities, Sony BMG, 2005.

Rock Breakout Years: 1984, Madacy, 2005.

The Body Acoustic, Epix/Daylight/Sony, 2005.

Cyndi Lauper Featuring Jeff Beck: Above the Clouds, CBS, 2006.

She's So Unusual, 2006.

Video Appearances:

Prime Cuts, 1984.

Herself, Wrestlemania (also known as WWF Wrestlemania), Coliseum Video, 1985.

Herself, Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues, 1988.

(And director) Cyndi Lauper: 12 Deadly Cynsand Then Some, Sony Music Video Enterprises, 1994.

I Want My MTV, 1996.

(And executive producer) Cyndi Lauper: Liveat Last, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 2004.

SingStar Party (video game), 2004.

From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans, Rhino, 2006.

Other music videos include "In Paris," CBS/Fox Video, 1991.

WRITING

Film Music:

Songwriter, "The Goonies 'r' Good Enough" and "What a Thrill," The Goonies, Warner Bros., 1985.

Composer, Private Property (also known as Island of the Damned), E.P. Production, 2002.

Songs:

Lauper's songs have been featured in many films and television presentations, especially "All Through the Night," "Change of Heart," "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "I Drove All Night," "She Bop," "Time After Time," and "True Colors"; songs written for other artists to perform include "Chicken Man," "Code of Silence," "If You Believe," "It's Not Like You," "The Only Fish in My Sea," "Paper Heart," "Signals," and "Steady." Many albums and music videos also feature her original songs.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Contemporary Musicians, Volume 11, Gale, 1994.

Contemporary Newsmakers 1985, issue cumulation, Gale, 1986.

St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, St. James Press, 2000.

Willis, K. K., Jr., Cyndi Lauper, Ballantine, 1984.

Periodicals:

Advocate, March 19, 2002, p. 12.

Billboard, July 31, 1999, p. 92.

Interview, December, 2003, p. 114.

Life, April, 1984, p. 114.

People Weekly, September 17, 1984, p. 82; July 1, 1985, p. 42.

Rolling Stone, October 31, 2002.

Scholastic Update, January 12, 1987, p. 25.

Times (London), March 21, 2006.

US Weekly, August 21, 2000, p. 24.

Electronic:

Cyndi Lauper Official Site,http://www.cyndilauper.com, December 26, 2006.

Other:

Intimate Portrait: Cyndi Lauper (television special), Lifetime, 1999.

About this article

Lauper, Cyndi 1953–

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