O'shea, Tessie (1913–1995)

views updated

O'shea, Tessie (1913–1995)

Welsh-born singer and actress. Born Teresa O'Shea, Mar 13, 1913, in Cardiff, Wales; died April 21, 1995, in Leesburg, FL.

A music-hall performer who cheerfully capitalized on her wide girth, made 1st tour at age 7; was a veteran headliner of the Bristol Hippodrome by 15; appeared in a Blackpool revue singing "Two-Ton Tessie from Tennessee," the song that ultimately became her anthem; headlined British revues On With the Show and High Time; made NY debut in The Girl Who Came to Supper (1963), a Tony-winning performance; appeared on CBS variety series "The Entertainers" (1964) and on Broadway in A Time for Singing (1966), Something's Afoot (1976) and Broadway Follies (1981); films include The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971).

See also Women in World History.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

O'shea, Tessie (1913–1995)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

You Might Also Like