Judy Tenuta, the eclectic comedienne known as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion” to her legions of fans, has died. She was 72
One of nine siblings, Tenuda was born into a Catholic family in Oak Park, Illinois on Nov. 7, 1949. Her mother, Johanna, was Polish and her father, Caesar, was Italian. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she majored in theater and was the first of her family to graduate college.
Her interest in comedy began when she took an improv class with The Second City and soon began opening for other comics in the Windy City throughout the 1970s. Tenuta left Chicago and moved to New York City in the late ’80s to co-host an HBO comedy special with Ellen DeGeneres, Rita Rudner, Martin Short and Paula Poundstone.
By the mid-’80s, Tenuta had gained mainstream notoriety for a series of television ads for MTV and Diet Dr Pepper and headed to Los Angeles, where she harbored a fiercely independent attitude, openly rejecting Hollywood beauty standards and celebrity. Survivors include her life partner, Vern Pang; brothers Daniel, John, Steven, Thomas and James; sister Barbara; two nephews, four nieces and a grand-niece. She will be interred at Hollywood Forever cemetery.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
KFC is bringing back a discontinued item because fans begged it toKentucky Fried Chicken Wraps (formerly known as Twister Wraps) are back
Read more »
Fans heartbroken, divided over Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen hiring divorce lawyers“Try to work it out guys … you seem like such a great couple,” one fan commented on social media, while many others pointed their fingers at each individual.
Read more »
Loretta Lynn’s musical message resonated with her North Texas fansLynn, who died Tuesday, was a frequent performer at North Texas venues, covering her classics and controversial hits.
Read more »
David Bruckner's Hellraiser will give fans no reason to lamentAfter decades of lackluster Hellraiser sequels, Bruckner reboots the franchise with Jamie Clayton as a female Pinhead, and some fresh, frightening new ideas
Read more »
It's Official: After Ghosting Fans, McDonald's Confirms It's Bringing Back a 1986 Fan FavoriteAfter weeks of ghosting fans, McDonald’s finally confirmed it will bring back its popular Happy Meal treat known as Halloween Pails for the spooky season.
Read more »