- Born
- Died
- Birth nameAnita Belle Colton
- Nickname
- The Jezebel of Jazz
- Anita O'Day was born on October 18, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She was an actress, known for Shortbus (2006), The Outfit (1973) and Zig Zag (1970). She was married to Carl Hoff and Don Carter. She died on November 23, 2006 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- SpousesCarl Hoff(January 18, 1943 - June 23, 1952) (divorced)Don Carter(1937 - 1939) (annulled)
- Fought off a severe heroin addiction during the 1960s and at one time nearly died. She successfully recovered and returned to music in the next decade.
- Legendary jazz artist performed at local Chicago clubs before getting her big break with Gene Krupa's band in 1941. Her first big hit was "Let Me Off Uptown".
- Although her funeral service was held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, she was not laid to rest there, despite rumors to the contrary. Sshe was cremated, and her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean off the main pier in Santa Monica, CA.
- Jazz singer
- Associated during the WWII years on as a band singer for Gene Krupa's band, her hit "Let Me Off Uptown" was a million-seller. "Down Beat" magazine named her "New Star of the Year" in 1942. With Stan Kenton's band, she recorded the hit "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine".
- I remember first seeing Barney Kessel, in the 1940s, standing on the corner of Hollywood and Vine, in his cowboy boots, sun glasses and hipster threads, holding his guitar case man, you just knew that cat could wail!'
- The price of being a hip, swinging chick eventually had become too great to pay
- Every day I remind myself of all that I have been given... With singing, you never know when you are going to lose the voice, and that makes you appreciate the time that you have when you are still singing well. I am always thanking God for another season, another month, another performance.
- When I'm singing, I'm happy. I'm doing what I can do and this is my contribution to life.
- Just get up there and let it rip!
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