Lola Falana
Singer, dancer, and actress Lola Falana was actually discovered by Sammy Davis Jr. who gave her a role in his Broadway musical, Golden Boy, in 1964. Davis Jr. became her mentor, casting her in a number of his productions as well as helping her with her musical career, but in 1969 she ended their close working relationship. They remained on good terms and he still helped her further her career but she said “If I didn’t break away, I would always be known as the little dancer with Sammy Davis Jr… I wanted to be known as something more.” She indeed became much more, a successful performer in her own right, as well as becoming known as the “Black Venus”. She suffered a severe relapse of multiple sclerosis in 1987 leaving her with multiple health problems. She attributes her recovery to her religious beliefs and practices.
Lola Falana
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith began her acting career in 1969, appearing in a few films as an extra, but she really got her first big break in 1984 with her role in Body Double. Since then, Griffith has featured in numerous film and television shows with her latest film in 2017, Dabka, also known as The Pirates of Somalia. Griffith is also a dedicated philanthropist, being particularly dedicated to sick children in hospital.
Melanie Griffith
