Who Is Imogene Coca? Age, Biography and Wiki
Imogene Coca, born on November 18, 1908, was a pioneering American comedic actress known for her remarkable contributions to television and film. Coca's career spanned over several decades, during which she became a household name through her work on shows like "Your Show of Shows" and movies such as "The King and I." She was celebrated for her expressive performances and unique comedic timing. Tragically, Imogene Coca passed away on June 2, 2001. In 2025, we continue to honor her life and career, recognizing her as a trailblazer in the world of comedy.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1908 |
| Age | 92 Years |
| Birth Place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 2 June, 2001 |
| Died Place | Westport, Connecticut, U.S. |
Popularity
Imogene Coca's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Imogene Coca stood at approximately 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall. While her weight fluctuated throughout her career, she maintained a slender build that complemented her animated acting style. Throughout her life, Coca embraced her unique physique, using her stature to add to her comedic appeal.
- Height: 5'1" (155 cm)
- Weight: Varies (not explicitly documented)
- Body Measurements: Details are often overlooked due to the era she worked in, focusing more on her talents than specific measurements.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Imogene Coca was married to actor and playwright King Donovan in a relationship that lasted for several decades. The couple had a strong bond that often transcended the professional sphere, as both had thriving careers in entertainment. Coca's approach to relationships was deeply rooted in mutual respect and shared passion for the performing arts.
- Husband: King Donovan (Married; relationship characterized by mutual respect and collaboration)
- Children: Coca did not have any children, which allowed her to dedicate much of her life to her career.
Born Emogeane Coca in Philadelphia in 1908 of Spanish descent, the only child of Joseph F. Coca Jr.
(the family surname was originally Fernández y Coca), a violinist and vaudeville orchestra conductor, and Sarah "Sadie" Brady, a dancer and magician's assistant, she took lessons in piano, dance, and voice as a child and while still a teenager moved from Philadelphia to New York City to become a dancer.
In 1925, still aged 16, she landed her first job in the chorus of the Broadway musical When You Smile. She became a headliner in Manhattan nightclubs with music arranged by her first husband, Bob Burton.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death in 2001, Imogene Coca's net worth was estimated to be around $10 million. Though details of her financial earnings fluctuated over her career, she achieved substantial success through various television shows, theatrical productions, and films. Her prominence in the entertainment industry allowed her to amass a significant fortune, which she managed wisely.
Imogene Coca was one of network television's first comics. She starred in an early ABC series, Buzzy Wuzzy, which lasted four episodes in 1948.
She played opposite Sid Caesar on The Admiral Broadway Revue (January to June 1949), and then in the sketch comedy program Your Show of Shows (1950 to 1954), which was immensely popular, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series in 1952 and 1953. The 90-minute show was aired live on NBC every Saturday night in prime time.
In addition to performing with Caesar on this program, she frequently starred in parodies of classic ballets opposite dancer and choreographer James Starbuck. She won the second-ever Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1951 and was nominated for four other Emmys for her work in the show.
She won a 1953 Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. The Caesar-Coca partnership might have continued, but the network tried to generate more revenue by spinning off Coca into her own series. The Imogene Coca Show ran for one year (1954 to 1955). In the 1963–64 TV season, Coca portrayed a comic temporary helper in the NBC sitcom Grindl.
It competed with the second half of The Ed Sullivan Show and lasted only one season. Coca later starred as a cavewoman with Joe E. Ross in the 1966–67 time-travel satire sitcom It's About Time.
Career, Business and Investments
Imogene Coca's career began in the late 1920s, gradually gaining momentum as she transitioned from stage performances to television. She became a key figure in the rise of TV comedy during the 1950s, showcasing her talents on "Your Show of Shows." Her versatility as a performer enabled her to take on various roles, including drama, musical theatre, and comedy.
In addition to acting, Coca explored ventures in the business side of the entertainment industry, including producing. Her keen sense for talent led her to participate in various investments related to comedy and performance arts.
Imogene Coca (born Emogeane Coca; November 18, 1908 – June 2, 2001) was an American comic actress best known for her role opposite Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows.
Starting out in vaudeville as a child acrobat, she studied ballet and pursued a serious career in music and dance, graduating to decades of stage musical revues, cabaret, and summer stock.
In her 40s, she began a celebrated career as a comedian on television, starring in six series and guest-starring on successful television programs from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Social Network
While Imogene Coca did not partake in modern social media, her legacy continues to generate discussion and admiration across platforms. Fans and followers honor her memory through dedicated pages and tributes, highlighting key moments of her illustrious career. In an era where vintage television is celebrated, Coca's work remains influential and continues to attract new audiences.
Education
Imogene Coca attended the prestigious New School for Social Research in New York City, where she honed her craft. Her education focused on the performing arts, allowing her to develop her unique comedic style that would captivate audiences for generations.
In conclusion, Imogene Coca remains a significant figure in American entertainment, and as we reflect on her life in 2025, we celebrate her immense talent and the impact she had on comedy and cultural representation in the arts. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy continues to inspire performers and entertain audiences worldwide.
She possessed a "rubbery" face capable of the broadest expressions — Life magazine compared her to Beatrice Lillie and Charlie Chaplin and described her characterizations as taking "people or situations suspended in their own precarious balance between dignity and absurdity, and push(ing) them over the cliff with one single, pointed gesture".
The magazine noted a "particularly high-brow critic" as observing "The trouble with most comedians who try to do satire is that they are essentially brash, noisy, and indelicate people who have to use a sledge hammer to smash a butterfly.
Miss Coca, on the other hand, is the timid woman who, when aroused, can beat a tiger to death with a feather." Aside from vaudeville, cabaret, film, theater, and television, she voiced children's cartoons and was even featured in the 1984 MTV music video "Bag Lady" by the band EBN-OZN, ultimately working well into her 80s.
In a 1999 interview, Robert Ozn said that during the shoot, she was required to sit on the sidewalk in snow for hours during a blizzard with 15-degree (F) temperatures. "While the rest of us 20-somethings were moaning about the weather, warming ourselves by a heater, this little 75-year-old lady never once complained — put us all to shame.
She was the most professional artist I've ever worked with."
