Lola Falana is an iconic entertainer and dancer who has left a lasting impression in the entertainment industry. Since her rise to fame in the 1960s, there has been much speculation surrounding her current whereabouts and whether she is still alive. This article examines whether Lola Falana is still alive by reviewing her career, recent activities, and public statements. It will also provide a timeline of the most significant milestones in her life thus far.
Who is Lola Falana?
Lola Falana is a model, dancer, singer, and stage and film actress. Falana entered the entertainment industry in 1958 with a dance performance in a Philadelphia nightclub alongside the singer Dinah Washington. The performance afforded her numerous opportunities to advance her career. Sammy Davis Jr., an American musician, cast her in a supporting role in the 1964 musical Golden Boy. She was cast in her first film role, A Man Named Adam, in 1966.
She has sung numerous songs, including “My Baby,” “Song for You,” “Don’t Cry Mary,” and “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets.” Her appearances on 1970s television programs such as The New Billy Cosby Show, The Streets of San Francisco, The Lola Falana Show, and The Muppets made her a household name.
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Is Lola Falana Still Alive?
Even though there are numerous rumors about her death, Lola Fanala is still alive. Loletha Elayne Falana was born on September 11, 1942, in Camden, New Jersey, as the third of six children to welder father Bennett and seamstress mother, Cleo Falana. Falana’s age as of April 2022 is 79 years. Falana remained active in the entertainment industry despite her health issues, serving as a mentor to young performers and working for various charitable causes. She also converted to Christianity and devoted much time to religious pursuits.
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What Happened To Lola Falana?
Falana was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. The disease left her left side paralyzed, partially blinded her, and temporarily impaired her voice and hearing. She was compelled to cancel all of her Las Vegas performances and began her recovery over the subsequent year and a half.
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Falana converted to Roman Catholicism during this time because she believed her faith and prayers to God had restored her. Falana returned to the Las Vegas concert circuit after fully recovering, but she eventually gave up her celebrity lifestyle in the early 1990s to devote herself to the Catholic ministry.
How Did Lola Fight From Her Disease?
Despite enduring multiple incapacitating incidents over 18 months, Falana’s illness went into remission. She then resumed her musical performances. In the spring of 1989, she performed “Proud Mary” alongside Wayne Newton at the Las Vegas Hilton.
In July 1989, she returned to the Las Vegas stage for numerous sold-out performances despite clubs’ reluctance to book her for fear she would relapse. She made her first reservation at the Sands Hotel, where she made her announcement to her audience, according to the August 1989 issue of Jet magazine. When a member of the audience asked if she had been cured, she responded,
“I’m not cured, but I’m healed.The role of medicine is to heal. The one who heals is God.”
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Lola Falana’s Personal Life
Falana wed Feliciano “Butch” Tavares Jr., one of the five brothers in the renowned R&B/soul vocal group Tavares, in 1970; the couple divorced in 1975. Before her marriage to Feliciano, she had an affair with her then-mentor Sammy Davis Jr. from 1965 to 1968, which became public after Davis revealed it to his then-wife May Britt, resulting in their 1968 divorce.
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In Conclusion
Lola Falana is a legendary performer who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Her talent, beauty, and dynamic performances made her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Although she is no longer active in the industry, her legacy and impact continue to be felt today.