Kane, Helen (1903–1966)

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Kane, Helen (1903–1966)

American actress, dancer and singer. Born Helen Schroeder in the Bronx, NY, Aug 4, 1903; died Sept 16, 1966, in Jackson Heights, NY; studied with Ned Wayburn; m. Joseph Kane, 1924 (div. 1928); m. Max Hoffman Jr., 1932 (div. 1933); m. Dan Healy, 1939.

Vaudeville performer from age 17, made Broadway debut in musical A Night in Spain (1927); her squeaky "boop-boop-a-doop" rendition of "I Wanna Be Loved by You," in the musical Good Boy (1928), catapulted her to a short-lived career in early talkies; films include Nothing but the Truth (1929), Sweetie (1929), Paramount on Parade (1930), Dangerous Nan McGrew (1930) and Heads Up (1930). Portrayed by Debbie Reynolds in film Three Little Words (1950), for which Kane dubbed the singing.

See also Women in World History.