A Brief Biography 

Danny La Rue has emerged in recent years as one of the most popular and prolific entertainers Britain has known. Having enjoyed phenomenal success in almost every aspect of Show business with six smash hits West End shows among his credits. Danny has now achieved international super-stardom with appearances in Canada and sell out tours of Australia and New Zealand.

He is without doubt a unique entertainer in International Show Business.

In a glittering and glamorous career, he has established himself as one of the most popular and prolific performers Britain has ever known.

Noel Coward called him "The most professional, the most witty...and the most utterly charming man in the business"

Dame Anna Neagle echoed "One of the kindest and most generous men I've ever met".

Remarking on his talents as an entertainer, Bob Hope called him "The most glamorous woman in the world".

He has enjoyed phenomenal success in virtually all the diverse aspects of entertainment from television to films, from concert to cabaret...and all points in between.

In the foreword to his best-selling autobiography, "From Drags to Riches", the distinguished actor Donald Sinden described Danny as a "truly original"  -  just two words which summed up what audiences, all over the world, have known for years.

Danny La Rue was born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Cork, Ireland, on 26th July 1927, the youngest in a family of 5. He was just 9 years old when he was brought to England where the family settled initially in London. However he was evacuated during the Blitz, and spent the next few years in the tiny Devon village of Kennford.

He left school at 15 and worked in a fashion store in Exeter. 

A term in the Royal Navy involved him in concert party entertainment and set acting career. Back in civvies, it was years of slogging away in repertory, and variety, taking him to almost every theatre in the provinces and affording him an invaluable, ringside view of all the biggest stars of the day.

He made his London debut in a tiny revue at the Irving Theatre, breaking into cabaret at Churchill's, then Winston’s Club alongside Barbara Windsor. Danny sustained ten years-unbroken West End success in this way, while annually performing in pantomime for Tom Arnold. 

He opened his own, now legendary, nightclub in Hanover Square in 1964, attracting well over 13,000 members and

Celebrities such as Judy Garland, Warren Beatty, Shirley MacLean, Dorothy Squires, Shirley Bassey, Noel Coward ,Zsa Zsa Gabor and Dame Elizabeth Taylor were all patrons. Even  HRH Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon would pop in for a laugh.

While making late night appearances at his club, Danny' always had a show or TV program or both to occupy, the earlier hours of the day.

It was in these circumstances that he made his West End show debut in the musical hit "Come Spy With Me" at the Whitehall; played a smash hit holiday season in Margate and then starred in one of the longest running pantomimes ever known "Queen Passionella And The Sleeping Beauty" at the Old Saville Theatre.

His nightclub work continued even during a season in Coventry' and for his return to the West End in "At The Palace," which ran for two years. twice the intended run, until April 1972. By that time it had been seen by more than 1,200,000 people. Highlights were later recorded for television, the program topping the week's rating on transmission.

On the West End stage he has triumphed in no less than seven major shows: 

One of  his most adventurous roles ... that of 'Dolly Levi' in the world famous musical "Hello Dolly!",  was the first time in theatrical history that the part of 'Dolly' had been played by a man and the first time that a man has played a female role in a major musical.

"Hello Dolly" opened in Birmingham 1982 for a season before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre.

He has undertaken record-breaking summer seasons and pantomimes at major venues all over the country - and headlined record-making cabaret engagements. His annual national tours, with his dazzling Danny La Rue Show, play consistently to outstanding business at the box office. As journalist Marjorie Proops once said : "Danny La Rue is a beloved national monument."

His television work has included many editions of The Good Old Days, a production of Charley's Aunt a pantomime The Queen Of Hearts, several spectaculars and specials including Tonight With Danny La Rue  and the TV version of Come Spy With Me as well as numerous guest appearances on major TV series. Danny continues to be in great demand and has recently appeared at Buckingham Palace - his thirtieth Royal Show!

His success has not been limited to Britain alone. Far from it!

Internationally he has triumphed in Canada, played successful  seasons in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East - and achieved unqualified super stardom in Australia where he used to spend half his working year entertaining in television, in theatre and cabaret seasons. Indeed such is his standing in Australia that in 1988 he was personally invited to be an ambassador for Britain at the Expo '88 celebrations for the country's bi-centenary.

With all his successes have come the acknowledgments of his colleagues and the profession: The Royal Variety Performances of 1969. 1972 and 1978. . And numerous other Royal Shows and Galas, Showbiz Personality of the Year Award in 1969 from the Variety Club of Great Britain, who also feted his then 25 years in show business with a tribute luncheon in his honor in 1976, Theatre Personality of the Year in 1970. Entertainer of the Decade in 1979. and most recently the prestigious Brinsworth Award from the EABF for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment profession and the community'.

He was made an OBE in the 2002 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Unlike many drag performers, Danny would always perform parts of his show in men's clothes, and was often seen out of costume on television. More recently, he has been more open about his private life and the fact that he was homosexual, and in fact lived for many years with his partner and manager, Jack Hanson, until his death in Australia following a stroke in 1974.

In early 2006  Danny also suffered a mild stroke and all planned UK performances for were cancelled.

La Rue most recently appeared in "Hello Danny" a biographical show performed at Benidorm Palace, Spain on 11 November 2007. The part of La Rue was played by Jerry Lane, and La Rue appeared at the top of the show and then appeared in an interview on stage in the second half. He also performed a number of songs, accompanied by Dave Peterson to the sellout crowd. Also staring in the show were Barry Britten, Asa Elliott, Liam Stewart, Dene Michael, Nikki Miller, Wendy Manfield, Jenny Renn, helping to portray La Rue's early life and recreate songs that he had performed in past shows.
 

In a business he loves so much, Danny La Rue is a giant. He is 100 per cent professional. He is a nice guy, and if anyone can captivate an audience, Dan can ".

Jimmy Tarbuck