Nelson Eddy

Nelson Eddy
Name	Nelson Eddy
Caption	Eddy in the 1940s
Birth date	29 June 1901
Birth place	Providence, Rhode Island
Death date	06 March 1967
Death place	Miami Beach, Florida
Occupation	Singer, actor
Spouse	Ann Denitz Franklin, 1939, 1967
Years active	1922–1967

Nelson Eddy was an American baritone and actor who achieved immense fame during the 1930s and 1940s as a star of MGM's musical films. He is best remembered for his eight highly successful screen partnerships with soprano Jeanette MacDonald, a collaboration that defined the Hollywood operetta genre. A classically trained singer with a powerful and resonant voice, Eddy also enjoyed a prolific career in radio, concerts, and Broadway, becoming one of the highest-paid entertainers of his era.

Early life and education

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, he was the only child of Isabel Kendrick and William Darius Eddy. His family moved frequently during his youth, living in Providence, New Bedford, and Pawtucket. After his parents separated, he moved with his mother to Philadelphia, where he attended Central High School. To support the family, he took various jobs, including work as a newspaper reporter for the ''Philadelphia Evening Bulletin'' and an advertising salesman. His formal vocal training began with voice teacher David Scull Bispham, and he later studied under the esteemed opera coach William Vilonat in New York.

Career

Eddy's professional singing career commenced with performances for the Savoy Opera Company and the Philadelphia Civic Opera. A major breakthrough came in 1924 when he won a competition to sing with the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra under conductor Leopold Stokowski. He subsequently performed with other major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and embarked on extensive concert tours across North America and Europe. His Metropolitan Opera debut occurred in 1933, but his path shifted dramatically when he was signed by MGM in 1933. His film debut in ''Dancing Lady'' (1933) was followed by his first pairing with Jeanette MacDonald in ''Naughty Marietta'' (1935), which was a massive success. This launched a series of popular operetta films including ''Rose-Marie'' (1936), ''Maytime'' (1937), and ''The Girl of the Golden West'' (1938). Beyond film, he was a major star on NBC radio programs like The Chase and Sanborn Hour and later hosted his own show, The Electric Hour. In his later career, he focused on nightclub appearances, Las Vegas engagements, and a successful return to the Broadway stage in the 1960s.

Filmography

Eddy's cinematic work is dominated by his musical collaborations. Key films include his debut in ''Dancing Lady'' (1933) with Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, and the landmark ''Naughty Marietta'' (1935). Subsequent successes with Jeanette MacDonald were ''Rose-Marie'' (1936), ''Maytime'' (1937), ''The Girl of the Golden West'' (1938), ''Sweethearts'' (1938), ''New Moon'' (1940), ''Bitter Sweet'' (1940), and ''I Married an Angel'' (1942). He also starred in solo vehicles such as ''Rosalie'' (1937) with Eleanor Powell and ''Let Freedom Ring'' (1939). His final film appearance was in ''Northwest Outpost'' (1947).

Discography

A prolific recording artist, Eddy made hundreds of recordings primarily for the RCA Victor label. His discography includes numerous albums of art songs, opera arias, spirituals, and popular Broadway and film selections. Signature recorded pieces from his films include "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" from ''Naughty Marietta'', the "Indian Love Call" from ''Rose-Marie'', and "Will You Remember (Sweetheart)" from ''Maytime''. He also recorded collections like Nelson Eddy Favorites and collaborated on albums with Dorothy Kirsten and Risë Stevens. Many of his recordings have been reissued on CD by labels such as RCA and Naxos.

Personal life and death

In 1939, he married socialite Ann Denitz Franklin, the granddaughter of Chicago merchant Julius Rosenwald and ex-wife of Sidney Franklin; they had no children. The marriage lasted until his death. For decades, rumors persisted of a romantic relationship with his frequent co-star Jeanette MacDonald, though both consistently denied the speculation. An active supporter of charitable causes, he performed for troops during World War II and was involved with the American Red Cross. On March 6, 1967, following a performance in Miami Beach, Florida, he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage on stage and died later that night at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Legacy and honors

Nelson Eddy left an indelible mark on American musical entertainment. He and Jeanette MacDonald remain iconic figures of the Golden Age of Hollywood, with their films enjoying enduring popularity. For his contributions to recording, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1631 Vine Street. The United States Postal Service honored him with a commemorative postage stamp in 1994. His extensive collection of personal papers, recordings, and memorabilia is housed at the University of Southern California's Cinematic Arts Library. Cultural references to his work appear in films like ''The Glenn Miller Story'' and on television series such as ''The Simpsons'', cementing his status as a defining voice of his generation.

Category:American male singers Category:American film actors Category:1901 births Category:1967 deaths