Mimi Hines, Legendary Broadway Performer Who Replaced Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl, Dies at 91

Mimi Hines — legendary singer, rubber-faced comedian, television star and Broadway performer who famously replaced Barbra Streisand in the original cast of the film funny girl — she died on Monday, October 21. She was 91 years old.

Mark Sendroff, Hines’ longtime attorney, confirmed her death in a statement to PEOPLE. She died of natural causes at her home in Las Vegas, he said.

Born in Vancouver, Canada, on July 17, 1933, Hines showed a knack for comedy at a young age and used that natural talent—and her signature dimples and toothy grin—to perform in nightclubs until she was 12. year. But she would become famous in the industry as part of the duo Ford and Hines, alongside the late actor-comedian Phil Ford.

The two met in 1952 while working in different nightclubs in Anchorage, Alaska. They began working together when Hines, then 19, filled in for his partner, who had accidentally broken her ankle. Love soon followed, and two years later, in 1954, Hines and Ford were married.

Phil Ford and actress Mimi at the opening of their self-titled play on January 9, 1969 in the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

Ron Galella/Getty

It won’t attract national attention until 1958, after appearing on Tonight’s show. There, Hines sang “Till There Was You” by Meredith Willson A musical man and, as the story goes, he made Jack Paar cry.

Since then, the pair have been one of the most in-demand performers, appearing on stages across the country and on a sea of ​​variety shows and talk shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Joey Bishop Show, The David Frost Show, Hollywood Palace, Garry Moore Show, Pat Boone in Hollywood, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and more.

She was also a favorite at games like Password, I have a secret, Hollywood Squares, It’s your bet and Quick verdict. A sitcom pilot titled Mimi it was filmed in 1964, with Hines and Ford as resort hotel owners, but was never filmed.

Mimi Hines in a January 1971 episode of ‘Love, American Style’.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney/Getty Images

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After years of performing in high-end showrooms and nightclubs, Hines landed the performance of a lifetime: the role of Fanny Brice in the original production Funny girlafter the departure of Barbra Streisand. She made her Broadway debut in the role on December 27, 1965 and said The New York Times at the time, she wasn’t nervous about stepping into Streisand’s shoes.

“It’s always easier to follow a good actress than a bad one,” she said. “Miss Streisand is wonderful. [And] there is such a veil of success around Funny girl to feel protectively enveloped by it”.

Hines remained in the production for 18 months until July 1, 1967, with Ford starring opposite her as Eddie Ryan—a dancer and director who takes a chance on Fanny during her vaudeville days.

Mimi Hines in November 2005.

David Livingston/Getty

Tracking Funny girlHines managed national touring companies I do! I do!, Prisoner of Second Avenue, Sugar Babies and Hello Dolly!as well as old packages from Everything is allowed, It’s never too late, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, No, not Nanette, Sugar, About the twentieth century, Nite Club Confidential — often appear alongside Ford in some of these productions.

The singer has also recorded several successful albums, including Mimi Hines sings and Mimi Hines is happeningboth in 1966.

Hines and Ford divorced in 1972, although they remained in business, even reuniting on several occasions to perform together. He died in 2005 at the age of 85. The two never had children.

The duo recently received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame. The planned ceremony will now serve as a celebration of Mimi’s life, career and marriage, Sendroff said.

In 1995, Hines returned to Broadway for her first role in 30 years, playing Rydell High teacher Miss Lynch in Tommy Tune’s production. Fat. She continued to work on stage, in the Off-Broadway revival of Kander and Ebb’s in 2000. 70, Girls, 70 as well as LA Reprise! production of About the twentieth century (2003), 20th Anniversary Tour Nonsense (2003) and LA Reprise! production of Seed (2005).

Among her screen credits was a memorable guest appearance as Mrs. Latimer Frasier In 1999, Rosie O’Donnell also honored Hines with an appearance on the final week of her monster hit talk show in June 2002.

One of Hines’ last roles in New York was that of Hattie Walker in the 2007 New York City Center revival of Stephen Sondheim’s film. nonsense. There she sang the shocking song “Broadway Baby”, which perhaps perfectly summed up the life of the dashing performer.

“I’m just a Broadway baby / walking off my tired legs / pounding down forty-second street / being in a show,” she sang. “Broadway baby / I’m learning to sing and dance / I’m waiting for that one big chance / To be in a show.”

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Source: HIS Education