Danny La Rue

Danny La Rue was born on the 26th of July in 1927. Danny La Rue is an Irish singer and entertainer. He was best known for his on-stage drag persona. He was born in Cork City in Ireland in 1927. He was the youngest sibling and was also into dramatics from a young age attributing to not many females participating and him getting those roles. La Rue was open about his private life in his later life. He was found to perform in men's clothes during his show but was seen out of costume on television. Le Rue had served in the Royal Navy just like his father but later came to be known as a female impersonator, or "comic in a frock" in the UK. Le Rue‘s major celebrity impersonations were Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, and Margaret Thatcher.

He was the owner of Hanover square and Swan an inn at Streatley. He has starred in the film Our Miss Fred in 1972, The Frankie Howerd Show, Decidedly Dusty, Every Day's a Holiday, Blackpool Bonanza, and the BBC's Play of the Month in production of Charley's Aunt (1969) and Entertainment Express. Le Rue also made a guest appearance in an episode of Mr. Bean as himself. The episode's name was Mr. Bean in room 426. His version of "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" had reached 33rd rank in 1968 on the UK singles chart His major final public appearance was in Hello Danny, where he had appeared at the start of the show and then in the second half while there was an interview being conducted on the stage. He was a regular performer in the traditional Christmas shows in Britain until his death.

La Rue had suffered a mild stroke in 2006 so he had to cancel the final pantomime and all subsequent performances. He had suffered from prostate cancer for many years. Later he had further strokes and which led to developing throat cancer. On 31st May 2009 at the age of 81, he passed away with his friend and costume designer, Annie Galbraith, beside him. He was laid to rest with his partner of 37 years, Jack Hanson, who was also his manager and who he had met in World war II in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, west London. Danny La Rue has been described as the grande dame of drag.