Danny La Rue, OBE (July 26, 1927 – May 31, 2009) was an Irish-born British entertainer known for his singing and drag impersonations.
Accolades
He was made an OBE in the 2002 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Other accolades included Royal Variety Performance appearances in 1969, 1972 and 1978, Variety Club of Great Britain Showbiz Personality of the Year (1969), Theatre Personality of the Year (1970), Entertainer of the Decade (1979) and the Brinsworth Award from the EABF for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment profession and the community.
Death of Danny La Rue
La Rue suffered a mild stroke in January 2006 and all of his planned performances were cancelled. He had several subsequent strokes. He died at his home shortly before midnight on 31 May 2009 after suffering from prostate cancer. His friend Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent at the time of death
Personal life
La Rue would often perform parts of his show in men’s clothes, and was often seen out of costume on television. In later life, he was more candid about his private life, including his homosexuality. La Rue lived for many years with his partner and manager, Jack Hanson, until Hanson’s death in Australia in 1985, following a stroke.
Danny La Rue