Denise Lor

Denise Lor (born Denise Jeanne Briault;[1] May 3, 1929 – September 27, 2015) was an American popular singer and actress. She was a featured artist on The Garry Moore Show. In 1951, she appeared in the short-lived variety show Seven at Eleven.

Cast of The Garry Moore Show in 1953. Clockwise from left: Garry Moore, announcer Ken Carlson, Durward Kirby, Denise Lor.
Denise Lor
Lor in 1953
Born
Denise Jeanne Briault

(1929-05-03)May 3, 1929
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 27, 2015(2015-09-27) (aged 86)
Other namesDenise Lor Horine
Occupation(s)Singer, actress
Children2

Early years

Of French parentage and born in Los Angeles, Lor moved with her mother to Jackson Heights, Queens, New York at the age of 5,[2] following her father's death. She graduated from Newtown High School and took art courses at night at Cooper Union, intent on becoming a commercial artist, while waitressing during the day at a Schrafft's restaurant. She also had a love for singing, saving up money to do it professionally. She believed her chance to sing in Sonja Henie's New York ice show at the Center Theatre to be her big break. She also decided to use her mother's maiden name, Lor, as her stage name.[1]

Television

In addition to her work on The Garry Moore Show, Lor was a regular on The Big Payoff and Droodles.[3] She made her dramatic TV debut on Appointment with Adventure on August 14, 1955.[4]

Personal appearances

After Lor's association with The Garry Moore Show ended, she performed in night clubs and similar venues.[5] In the early 1970s, she worked in touring stock theater.[6]

Stage

Lor appeared in numerous musical comedies including Gypsy, Annie and Sweeney Todd.

Recording

Lor's main hit song was "If I Give My Heart to You",[7] which charted in 1954 at the same time as another recording of the same song by Doris Day.

Personal life

Lor married and subsequently divorced TV director and singer Jay Martin, with whom she had sons, Ron and Denis.[1] They had met when she was singing on The Garry Moore Show at CBS, where he was an associate director. Her second marriage was to writer Charles Horine (aka Chuck Horner).

References
  1. Aulis, Gwen (June 1953). "Lucky, Lucky -- That's Me" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 40 (1): 51, 89. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  2. "About Denise". Radio-TV Mirror. 39 (1): 21. December 1952. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  3. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. Pp. 103, 288.
  4. Vernon, Terry (August 14, 1956). "Tele-"Vues". Independent. California, Long Beach. p. D-16. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  5. "(advertisement for Actors Colony Inn)". The Bridgeport Post. Connecticut, Bridgeport. The Bridgeport Post. September 2, 1961. p. 7. Retrieved February 24, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. "HemisPlaza play to star Denise Lor". Express and News. Texas, San Antonio. Express and News. August 8, 1971. p. 108. Retrieved February 24, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. Obituary, legacy.com; accessed October 5, 2015.
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