Denise Lor (May 3, 1929 – September 27, 2015) was an
American popular singer and actress. She was a featured artist on The Garry
Moore Show. In 1951, she appeared in the short-lived variety show Seven at
Eleven.
Denise Jeanne Briault was born in Los Angeles,
California, USA.. She moved with her mother to Long Island, New York, at the
age 
of five, following her father's death, and graduated from Newtown High
School. She then took art courses at night at Cooper Union, intent on becoming
a commercial artist, while waitressing during the day at Schrafft's restaurant.
of five, following her father's death, and graduated from Newtown High
School. She then took art courses at night at Cooper Union, intent on becoming
a commercial artist, while waitressing during the day at Schrafft's restaurant.
She also had a love for singing, saving up money to do it
professionally. She believed her chance to sing in Sonja Henie's New York ice
show at the Centre Theatre to be her big break. She also decided to use her
mother's maiden name, Lor, as her stage name. She was popular by the early 50’s
recording such songs as "If I Give My Heart to You”(which charted in 1954,
“Our Future has Only Just Begun,” and “Whose Heart Are You Breaking Now.”
association with The Garry Moore
Show ended, she performed in night clubs and similar venues. She briefly
co-hosted the Mike Douglas Show in 1962 and was featured in the 1964 film “Diary
of a Bachelor.” In the early 1970s, she worked in touring stock theatre,
appearing in numerous musical comedies including "Gypsy",
"Annie" and "Sweeney Todd".
Lor married and subsequently divorced TV director and
singer Jay Martin, with whom she had sons, Ron and Denis. They had met when she
was singing on The Garry Moore Show at CBS, where he was an associate director.
Her second marriage was to writer Charles Horine (aka Chuck Horner) becoming a
veteran of more than 100 stage productions across the US.
Denise Lor died in New York City on September 27th 2015, aged 86. (Info compiled and edited from various sources, mainly Wikipedia)
Denise Lor died in New York City on September 27th 2015, aged 86. (Info compiled and edited from various sources, mainly Wikipedia)
