Lillian Cornell

Lillian Cornell
Lillian Cornell (fair use)
Born	Lillian Michuda June 2, 1916 Chicago, Illinois
Died	May 25, 2015, age 98 Miami, Florida
Nationality	American
Occupation	Singer, actress
Spouse(s)	Asa Fessenden (1947-1984, his death)
Children	3

Lillian Cornell (June 2, 1916 Chicago, Illinois - May 25, 2015 Miami, Florida) was an American singer on old-time radio and an actress in films in the early 1940s.

Cornell was born Lillian Michuda June 2, 1916, in Chicago. Her name was changed to Lillian Cornell by studio executives when she began to act in films.

In 1936, Cornell (billed as Lillian Michuda) had her own radio program on WCFL in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Three years later, she had moved to NBC, where she had the self-titled Lillian Cornell program.

She also performed on Pleasure Parade,Club Matinee, Roy Shield Revue, Jamboree and Sunday Dinner at Aunt Fanny's.

In 1944, Cornell was the featured singer at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. A review published in the Chicago Tribune on November 26, 1944, described Cornell as "a dark haired beauty with a clear, impressive voice and an admirably gracious, easy manner."

Cornell's venture into the film industry was initiated via radio. Radio Varieties magazine reported that because radio commitments kept Cornell in Chicago, "her managers arranged a cocktail party in the movie mecca, at which an audition of Lillian's voice was heard by special wire from the Windy City." She signed a contract with Paramount Pictures and soon appeared in Buck Benny Rides Again.

In 1946, Cornell was part of the cast of The Window Shade Revue, a 45-minute musical broadcast on WNBT in New York City. An article in Billboard magazine reported that the program was "said to be one of the biggest budgeted shows yet done by NBC on WNBT since the web took over Channel Four." She also appeared on Close-Ups on NBC that year.

In 1947, Cornell married Asa Fessenden. They were married until he died in 1984.

Cornell died May 25, 2015, in Miami, Florida. She was survived by three children.