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AgeVenture News Service  No doubt you're one of the millions who have delighted to the performances of award-winning actress, comedian, singer, and dancer ... Nanette Fabray. While audiences have marveled at the achievements of this multi-talented entertainer, there is yet another entire dimension to Nanette Fabray.
Recently honored as a "2001 Icon Award" recipient at the UCLA Center on Aging, many now know the depth of Fabray as a dedicated humanitarian. Most of us would be satisfied to accomplish in a life time what Fabray has managed to achieve in any one of her many pursuits. That is why Nanette is held up as an Icon of successful aging, an inspiration to us all. Ms. Fabray began his career at the age of four, tap dancing on the stage as "Baby Nanette." She quickly moved on to Broadway, where she was seen in a string of musical and dramatic productions including Cole Porter’s "Let’s Face It," and Jerome Robbin’s "High Button Shoes." Her film credits include "Elizabeth and Essex" with Bette Davis, "The Bandwagon" with Fred Astaire, and "That’s Entertainment, Parts 2 and 3." For six years she appeared as Katherine Romano in the hit TV show, "One Day At A Time," and most recently played the mother of her real life niece, Shelley Fabares, on "Coach." Shelley who presented Nanette with the award during the 2001 Award Ceremony (photo above). Shelley's husband, actor Mike Farrell, served as master of ceremonies. Nanette is also the winner of two Donaldson awards, a Tony award, and three Emmy awards. Once handicapped by a hearing problem until four operations restored her hearing, Ms. Fabray has been a leading advocate for the rights of all disabled people. For many years, she worked to bring sign language and captioning to television. Ms. Fabray has made numerous radio, newspaper and TV interviews concerning the needs of the disabled and established the Annual MacDougall Creative University Writing Award to encourage deaf people to explore careers in writing. Nanette has served many official, private, and governmental memberships and appointments including a member of the President’s committee on Employment of the Handicapped and a Trustee of the House Ear Institute. Her honors representing the handicapped include the President's Distinguished Service Award and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. Nanette Fabray and Helen Keller are the only women to receive the Public Service Award from the American Academy. She was Child-Help USA’s Women of the Year in 1980, received the Living Legacy Award by the Women's International Center, was selected Woman of the Year by the California Museum of Science and Industry. Thanks to the University of California for recognizing this extraordinary talent. Thanks to Nanette ... for the memories, and most importantly ... the inspiration. Your example demonstrates the infinite possibilities of a dedicated life. Makes you wonder. What will Nanette accomplish during the next 80 years of her life? |