As a gamer with a deep-rooted love for musical theatre, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss with the passing of Mimi Hines. Her vivacious energy and talent were undeniably captivating, especially during her iconic stint as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.
Actress, singer, and comedian Mimi Hines, a charming Canadian native who took over the role of Fanny Brice from Barbra Streisand in the initial run of “Funny Girl” on Broadway, has passed away at the age of 91.
On Monday, Hines passed away peacefully at her Las Vegas residence due to natural causes. This information was shared by her friend and legal representative, Mark Sendroff, with The Hollywood Reporter.
From 1954 up until their divorce in 1972, Hines was wedded to the late entertainer Phil Ford. Together as “Ford and Hines,” they built a successful nightclub act which gained popularity on variety/talk shows such as Jack Paar’s The Tonight Show.
In her first appearance on Broadway, Hines played the lead in “Funny Girl” from December 1965 to its closing performance in July 1967. When she landed the role, she informed The New York Times (who referred to her as a “playful fairy”) that she wasn’t feeling any stage jitters.
She remarked, “A skilled actress is far simpler to follow compared to an unskilled one.” She went on to praise Barbra Streisand, stating, “She is truly exceptional. The aura of success surrounding ‘Funny Girl’ leaves me feeling securely enveloped by it.
Watch her perform “The Music That Makes Me Dance” from Funny Girl here.
Following this, Hines appeared in touring productions of “I Do! I Do!”, “The Prisoner of Second Avenue”, and “Hello, Dolly!”. Additionally, he was part of the cast for shows like “Anything Goes”, “Never Too Late”, “The Pajama Game”, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”, “No, No, Nanette”, and “Sugar Babies”.
And for Tommy Tune’s 1994-98 revival of Grease, she played Rydell High teacher Miss Lynch.
Hines, born in Vancouver on July 17, 1933, began her career in clubs at just 12 years old. On a road trip, she encountered Ford for the first time in 1952 at a club named The Last Chance, located in Anchorage, Alaska. They wed two years after their initial meeting and went on to tour extensively across the United States and Europe with their act.
In August 1958, the couple left a significant mark during their debut on The Tonight Show. She performed “Till There Was You” from The Music Man, which added to the impact. They frequently came back to entertain Paar, and before long, they were gracing stages of other shows like The Garry Moore Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Merv Griffin Show, and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.
In 1964, I teamed up with Ford to shoot a pilot episode for a TV series, where we were set to play staff members in a health spa named “The Garden of Eden.” Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the project didn’t get the go-ahead.
As a devoted admirer, let me share an exciting tidbit about “Funny Girl.” In this captivating production, my enthusiasm knew no bounds when I learned that her then-spouse graced the stage alongside her, portraying Eddie Ryan – Brice’s guiding figure. The show, needless to say, was a resounding triumph!
In the year 2000, she performed in a theatrical production titled “70 Girls 70,” by Kander & Ebb, alongside Jane Powell, Charlotte Rae, and Helen Gallagher, on an off-Broadway stage.
Apart from that, Hines has also produced albums, with the first one coming out as early as 1958. Additionally, she has graced several television shows such as Frasier and Love, American Style.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to announce that the late great Ford and I have been honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. The upcoming ceremony, happening soon, will become a heartfelt tribute to her life and illustrious career, providing us all an opportunity to celebrate her extraordinary talent and enduring legacy.
Hines has no survivors but leaves behind “a legion of fans,” Sendroff said.
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2024-10-22 19:55