Leni Lynn (born Angelina Ciofani; May 3, 1923 – January 1, 2010)[1] was an American actress[2] and a contralto singer.[3] She was also known as Leni Hoffer.[1]

Leni Lynn
Born
Angelica Ciofani

(1923-05-03)May 3, 1923
DiedJanuary 1, 2010(2010-01-01) (aged 86)
Other namesLeni Hoffer
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Parent(s)Francesco Ciofani
Carmelita Ciofani

The daughter of a Passaic, New Jersey, dye-goods factory worker, Francesco Ciofani, and his wife, Carmelita, who worked in a dress factory, [4] [5] Lynn learned to sing by listening to recordings.[6] When she was 13, friends and neighbors in Pasaic contributed 10,000 dimes to send her to Hollywood to try for success in films. On September 6, 1938, she received a contract from MGM.[3]

Lynn was married four times.[1] In 1942, she married British insurance executive Edward Thomas Hopkin; they divorced on March 23, 1949.[7] Her last husband, composer and conductor Bernard Hoffer, survived her.[1]

On January 1, 2010, Lynn died of complications of a stroke in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. She was 86.[1]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Lentz, Harris M. III (2011). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2010. McFarland. p. 254. ISBN 9780786441754. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Leni Lynn". Film Forever. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  3. ^ a b "10,000 Dimes Help Her". Daily News. New York, New York City. September 6, 1938. p. 4. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Wagner, Laura (July 2019). "Leni Lynn: Passaic's Singing Cinderella". Classic Images (529): 6, 8–15.
  5. ^ "Leni of the Movies Re-visits the Old Home Town," PM, Nov. 15, 1940
  6. ^ Swisher, Clare (August 1, 1939). "It's a Great Life". Altoona Tribune. Pennsylvania, Altoona. p. 4. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Husband Divorces U.S. Opera Singer". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. Associated Press. March 23, 1949. p. 23. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
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