Anya Taranda
Encyclopedia
Anya Taranda was an American
model
, showgirl
, actress and wife of renowned songwriter Harold Arlen
.
A Catholic
of Russia
n parents, the beautiful Anya Taranda became a Powers Agency
model where she was signed as one of the original Breck Shampoo
models. In 1932, she met composer
Harold Arlen
in New York City
during the Broadway theatre
production of Earl Carroll's Vanities. They eventually married on January 6, 1937 over the objection of both of their parents, because she was Gentile
and he Jewish, but it turned out to be a lifelong love affair of inseparable devotion.
In 1934 she appeared in her first of nine film roles in an uncredited part of an "Earl Carroll
girl" in Murder at the Vanities
, based on Carroll's Broadway play.
In 1951 she was institutionalized in a sanatorium
for seven years after repeatedly threatening her husband and others with physical harm.
Anya Taranda-Arlen died from a brain tumor
in 1970. She is interred next to her husband in the Ferncliff Cemetery
in Hartsdale, New York
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, showgirl
Showgirl
A showgirl is a dancer or performer in a stage entertainment show. Showgirl is also often used as a term for a promotional model in trade fairs and car shows, etc...
, actress and wife of renowned songwriter Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
.
A Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n parents, the beautiful Anya Taranda became a Powers Agency
John Robert Powers
John Robert Powers was an American actor and founder of a prominent New York City modeling agency.In 1923, John Robert Powers founded a modeling agency. The John Robert Powers Agency represented many models who went on to success in the Hollywood film industry, and even Betty Bloomer who became...
model where she was signed as one of the original Breck Shampoo
Breck Shampoo
Breck Shampoo is an American brand of shampoo that is also known for its Breck Girls advertising campaign.In 1930 Dr. John H. Breck, Sr. of Springfield, Massachusetts, founded Breck Shampoo. In 1936, son Edward J...
models. In 1932, she met composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Earl Carroll's Vanities. They eventually married on January 6, 1937 over the objection of both of their parents, because she was Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
and he Jewish, but it turned out to be a lifelong love affair of inseparable devotion.
In 1934 she appeared in her first of nine film roles in an uncredited part of an "Earl Carroll
Earl Carroll
Earl Carroll was an American theatrical producer, director, songwriter and composer born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Career:...
girl" in Murder at the Vanities
Murder at the Vanities
Murder at the Vanities is a musical film based on the 1933 Broadway musical with music by Victor Young, made in the pre-Code era, and released by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Mitchell Leisen, stars Carl Brisson, Jack Oakie, Kitty Carlisle, Gertrude Michael, Toby Wing, and Jessie Ralph...
, based on Carroll's Broadway play.
In 1951 she was institutionalized in a sanatorium
Sanatorium
A sanatorium is a medical facility for long-term illness, most typically associated with treatment of tuberculosis before antibiotics...
for seven years after repeatedly threatening her husband and others with physical harm.
Anya Taranda-Arlen died from a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
in 1970. She is interred next to her husband in the Ferncliff Cemetery
Ferncliff Cemetery
Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum is located on Secor Road in the hamlet of Hartsdale, town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, about 25 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. It was founded in 1902, and is non-sectarian...
in Hartsdale, New York
Hartsdale, New York
Hartsdale is a hamlet and a census-designated place located in the town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York. The population was 5,293 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hartsdale is located at ....
.