Sondra Lee, a celebrated Broadway performer renowned for originating the role of Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly!, has died at the age of 97. Her passing, announced by friend and former Broadway press agent Joshua Ellis, marks the end of a nine-decade career that spanned stage, screen and teaching.
Lee died Monday of natural causes in her New York apartment, according to Ellis, who is now a minister. A diminutive figure at 4-foot-10½, Lee captivated audiences with her talent and versatility, leaving an indelible mark on American musical theater. Her work extended beyond performance, encompassing roles as a dancer, actor, teacher, author, stage director, playwright, film consultant, and painter.
Lee’s Broadway debut came in 1947 with Jerome Robbins’ High Button Shoes, starring Phil Silvers and Nanette Fabray. She would later reunite with Robbins for the iconic 1954 production of Peter Pan, opposite Mary Martin. The production was groundbreaking, becoming the first full-length Broadway show filmed in color for television, attracting a then-record 65 million viewers, according to her Wikipedia entry.
Lee’s talent wasn’t limited to a single role. In 1964, she joined the original cast of Hello, Dolly!, playing Minnie Fay alongside Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, and Betty Grable. She later toured with Martha Raye and the USO during the Vietnam War, bringing a touch of Broadway to the troops. Lee and Raye were particularly close, with Raye being Lee’s “personal favorite” co-star in the production.
A Life on Stage and Beyond
Born Sondra Lee Gash on September 30, 1928, in Newark, New Jersey – a date she specifically requested be clarified in her obituary, despite many sources listing 1930 – Lee overcame a sickly childhood, receiving growth hormone treatments and battling frequent pneumonia. She pursued her passion for acting from a young age, inspired by Greta Garbo’s performance in Camille (1936). Despite her mother’s desire for a more conventional career path, Lee persevered, beginning dance lessons in her teens at Studio 61 in Carnegie Hall.
Her early career included performances with the YMHA Players in Newark and at the Walnut House on the Hill in the Catskills, where she befriended comedians like Buddy Hackett and Red Buttons. She even shared a boarding house in New York City with fellow performers Wally Cox, Maureen Stapleton, and Marlon Brando. A memorable audition story involved a blunt exchange with Jerome Robbins, who, after a brief assessment, told her, “The audition is over,” before ultimately offering her a dance opportunity.
From Ballet to Film and Teaching
Lee’s versatility extended beyond Broadway. She spent time in Paris with Roland Petit’s La Revue des Ballets de Paris and was part of Robbins’ Ballets: U.S.A. Troupe, performing internationally. Federico Fellini even cast her as an American ballerina in his 1960 film, La Dolce Vita. She also appeared in Broadway productions of Hotel Paradiso (1957) and Sunday in New York (1961).
Later in her career, Lee transitioned to teaching, sharing her expertise at the NYU Drama School and the Stella Adler Conservatory. She became known for her unique skill in coaching actors on how to convincingly portray death scenes, a testament to her deep understanding of performance and physicality. She coached a remarkable roster of actors, including Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
A Lasting Legacy
Lee’s contributions to the performing arts were recognized through her directorial work, including Hillbilly Women at the ArcLight Theater in 2011, based on Kathy Kahn’s book. She also directed cabaret shows celebrating the music of Stephen Sondheim. Her final public appearance was at Carnegie Hall in June, for a concert performance of Hello, Dolly!, where she received a standing ovation as the last surviving original principal artiste.
Lee authored the memoir I’ve Slept With Everybody in 2009, offering a candid look at her life and career, and was working on a second book, Snapshots Redux, at the time of her death. A celebration of her life and career is planned.
Sondra Lee’s remarkable career, spanning decades and encompassing a wide range of artistic endeavors, leaves a lasting legacy in the world of theater and beyond. Her influence will continue to be felt through the countless performers she mentored and the audiences she captivated.
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