Henrietta Loveless

Henrietta L. Loveless (August 26, 1903 – March, 1956), sometimes spelled Henrietta Lovelass or Henrietta Lovelace, was an American actress and singer. After graduating with a degree in music from Fisk University, Loveless acted in several films and numerous theatre shows during the 1920s and early 1930s. The latter half of the 1930s saw her move to exclusively vocal performances, including as a part of a harmony group at the 1939 New York World's Fair and in her own musical radio broadcast.

Childhood and education Born in Polk County, Georgia, Loveless began performing in skits and shows at the age of 13 before attending the Alabama Teachers College and then receiving scholarships for Shaw University and Fisk University, which she attended in succession. She would also continue her studies later in her life by attending the Boston Conservatory. During the latter half of 1926, she began touring with Irvin C. Miller in his show Blue Moon as the leading lady, before joining the 1927 Chappelle and Stinette tour production of Kentucky Sue. She acted for two seasons in the 1932 Broadway revival of Show Boat and worked as the understudy for the role of "Queeny". After the completion of the musical's run, Loveless left New York and moved to Hollywood to seek other acting opportunities. The Post-Star in 1937 referred to Loveless as the "creole version of Sophie Tucker".

After her theatre career, Loveless began working on writing songs and singing opera, joining a "harmony group" named the Chocolate Éclair Family that first became broadly popular after performing at the 1939 New York World's Fair in the Court of Flame building. She had her first solo singing concert debut on February 13, 1944, at St. Martin's Little Theatre in New York City.

Personal life Loveless married fellow performer Lorenzo McLane and they starred in theatre shows together and had a songwriting career throughout the 1940s. After becoming ill in January 1956, she died in late March of the same year.

Shows Lucky Sambo (Aces and Queens) (1925) Playing the Numbers (1925) Blue Moon (1926) John Henry Mexican Mural Lem Hawkins' Confession / Murder in Harlem (1935)