A sparkling, energetic presence ever since her early days as a child vaudevillian, Nanette Fabray (born Ruby Fabares) was then billed as "Baby Nanette" and worked with the top headliners of the time, notably Ben Turpin. At a tiny, seven-year-old tot, she was even appearing in "Our Gang" film shorts. The musical comedy stage would be Nanette's forte and in the late 40s she won Tony and Donaldson award-winning acclaim in the Broadway productions of "High Button Shoes" and "Love Life." Strangely, Nanette never obtained a strong foothold when it came to film. Aside from secondary roles in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex starring Bette Davis and Errol Flynn, and the melodrama A Child Is Born, her claim to fame would be her participation in the blockbuster MGM musical The Band Wagon in which she memorably performed "That's Entertainment," "Louisiana Hayride" and the standout "Triplets" number alongside Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan. In the 1950s the comedienne looked forward to TV as a possible medium to fit her talents. It was. She managed a major feat by winning 3 Emmy awards after replacing the seemingly irreplaceable Imogene Coca as Sid Caesar's partner on the now-called Caesar's Hour. From there Nanette matured into a lively and graceful comedic support player, playing daffy moms in several sitcoms -- sometimes alongside her own niece, actress Shelley Fabares. Most importantly, Nanette's humanitarian efforts over the years have been long recognized. A positive force as a hearing-impaired performer, she has given much time and effort in achieving equality for all types of handicapped and disabled people, including actors.
Aunt of actress Shelley Fabares Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1993. Recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. A hearing-impaired performer for many years until four operations restored it, she has been known and won awards for her many humanitarian efforts in this field as well as others, serving on several committees that fight for the rights of the disabled or handicapped, and becoming a prime force in bringing sign language and captioning to TV. Won Broadway's 1949 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "Love Life." Was also nominated in the same category in 1963 for "Mr. President."