Virtually anyone who has spent 40 years in showbiz qualifies as some sort of Diva. Whether they are forgotten or not depends upon that fickle force of nature known as The Public. This brings us to the sassy, brassy, loud and lovable Kaye Ballard. Born on Nov. 20, 1926 as Catherine Gloria Balota, by the 50s she was acting on Broadway in such comic roles as the evil queen in "Once Upon a Mattress", and the evil step-mother in "Cinderella",roles she reprised on television as well (the fact that these are both based on fairy-tales shows what a primal and mythological archetype she is!). Television, in fact, made her a star; who could forget "The Mothers-in-Law", her series with that other ForgottenDiva, Eve Arden? Countless other TV appearances followed, including sitcoms, game shows, talk shows, variety shows, and even "The Muppet Show". It is therefore a proven fact that everyone in North America has seen Ms. Ballard at least once. She has also been in numerous movies, most importantly "Freaky Friday" (never afraid to showcase her butch side, she was Coach Betsy), "The Ritz" (a gay cult classic), and just recently "Baby Geniuses" (about which the less said the better!). Recently seen in the Broadway musical "The Full Monty", Kaye has said "I may not have a Tony, an Emmy, or even an Oscar, but I've always made a living in show business, and you know what? I'm still here!" And as yet another rhinestone in her ForgottenDiva tiarra, she released an album with Jaye P. Morgan (!), entitled "Jaye & Kaye: Longtime Friends". Because, of course, part of being a Forgotten Diva is being a survivor; the other part is being friends with Jaye P. Morgan!
KAYE BALLARD IS A DIVA NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN!!!
a Kaye Ballard webpage
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