Jane Morgan obit

Jane Morgan Weintraub Dies: “Fascination” Singer Who Played Mame On Broadway & Was Married To Jerry Weintraub Was 101

 

She was not on the list.

Jane Morgan Weintraub, a singer, nightclub entertainer, Broadway performer and ubiquitous TV presence in 1950s and ’60s, died Monday of natural causes in Naples, Florida. She was 101.

Her family announced her death, saying, “Our beloved Jane passed away peacefully in her sleep.”

As Jane Morgan, the singer was a popular and ubiquitous presence on television variety shows from the Golden Age of the 1950s well through the 1960s and even into the early 1970s. She appeared on The Johnny Cash Show, where she answered the Man in Black’s “A Boy Named Sue” with “A Girl Named Johnny Cash,” which was written for the show by Martin Mull. The song was a minor hit on country radio.

She is thought to hold the record for female singers appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show — 50 times in all.

On Broadway, Morgan appeared in Ziegfeld Follies of 1957, The Jack Benny Show (1963) and in the title role of Mame (1968-69).

Born Florence Catherine Currier on May 3, 1924, in Newton, Massachusetts, Morgan raised by a musical family in Florida and started singing onstage at age 7. In 1948 she was training as a lyric soprano at the Juilliard Conservatory in New York. Singing in nightclubs and small restaurants to help pay her tuition, Morgan was spotted at one such venue by French bandleader Bernard Hilda. Recognizing her unique talents, he took her to sing at clubs in France where she quickly became “The Toast of Paris.”

From there, Morgan’s popularity and career continued to ascend. Having taken Europe, she returned to America, signed with Kapp Records and released a string of albums including The American Girl from Paris and All the Way. In all, she would ultimately earn six gold records.

Among her single hits was one that would become a signature tune for her: “Fascination” (1957). Featured in the Gary Cooper-Audrey Hepburn movie Love in the Afternoon, it went Top 10 and was the title track from her biggest stateside album, which reached No. 13. Her recording of “Fascination” also has been used in the soundtracks of Diner, The Next Karate Kid, Call The Midwife and Fallout.

Her U.S. chart career was spotty, but the international hits would keep coming through the ’50s and ’60, including recordings of such traditional pop standards as “The Day The Rains Came” — which topped the UK chart in 1959 — “With Open Arms,” “To Love and Be Loved” and “Blue Hawaii,” among many others.

In 1962, Morgan had found a new manager, Jerry Weintraub, who would become one of the entertainment industry’s more formidable music managers with clients including Elvis Presley and John Denver. Weintraub also would become a prolific film producer, responsible for such hits as The Karate Kid and Ocean’s Eleven.

Morgan married Weintraub in 1965 and she became stepmother to Weintraub’s son Michael. Morgan and Weintraub would add to their family by adopting three daughters, Julie, Jamie and Jody.

Over the course of her career, Morgan performed for presidents and toured with the popular comedians of the day. She made numerous appearances on television specials and hosted three of her own including The Jane Morgan Hour (1959). A sampling of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s TV variety shows and specials she appeared on include The Colgate Comedy Hour, Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall, The Jack Benny Program, The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, The Kraft Music Hall and The Jackie Gleason Show.

She also did a few TV guest shots during her career including Peter Gunn and It Takes a Thief.

Morgan received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

She is survived by her son Michael Weintraub (Maria), daughters Jamie Weintraub and Jody Weintraub, six grandchildren and eight grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by husband Jerry and daughter Julie.

Memorial Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology at UCLA.

 

Actress

Robert Wagner in It Takes a Thief (1968)

It Takes a Thief

7.5

TV Series

Suzie 'Martine' Simone

1970

1 episode

 

Craig Stevens in Peter Gunn (1958)

Peter Gunn

8.0

TV Series

Lois Lee

1961

1 episode

 

Three Cheers

TV Movie

1953

 

Petit jour, grande nuit

Short

1947

 

Additional Crew

Nancy Drew (2007)

Nancy Drew

5.9

assistant: Mr. Weintraub (as Jane Weintraub)

2007

 

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Elliott Gould, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Eddie Jemison, and Shaobo Qin in Ocean's Thirteen (2007)

Ocean's Thirteen

6.9

assistant: Mr. Weintraub (as Jane Weintraub)

2007

 

Ocean's Twelve (2004)

Ocean's Twelve

6.5

assistant: Mr. Weintraub (as Jane Weintraub)

2004

 

Soundtrack

Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten, and Ella Purnell in Fallout (2024)

Fallout

8.3

TV Series

performer: "From the First Hello to the Last Goodbye" (uncredited)

2024

1 episode

 

Bryony Hannah, Helen George, and Jessica Raine in Call the Midwife (2012)

Call the Midwife

8.6

TV Series

performer: "If I Loved You" (uncredited)

2013

1 episode

 

A Love Story (2005)

A Love Story

5.6

Short

performer: "Fascination"

2005

 

Pat Morita and Hilary Swank in The Next Karate Kid (1994)

The Next Karate Kid

4.6

performer: "Fascination"

1994

 

Kevin Bacon, Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Paul Reiser, Tim Daly, and Daniel Stern in Diner (1982)

Diner

7.0

performer: "Fascination"

1982

 

Johnny Cash in The Johnny Cash Show (1969)

The Johnny Cash Show

8.6

TV Series

performer: "A Boy Named Sue", "A Girl Named Cash", "One More Ride"

1971

1 episode

 

Ed Sullivan in The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)

The Ed Sullivan Show

7.9

TV Series

performer: "My Way" (Comme d'Habitude), "A Girl Named Johnny Cash"performer: "We Need a Little Christmas", "It's Today"performer: "What now my Love ?" (Et Maintenant) ...

1950–1970

16 episodes

 

Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Jane Kean, and Sheila MacRae in The Jackie Gleason Show (1966)

The Jackie Gleason Show

7.9

TV Series

performer: "Congratulations, I Guess"

1969

1 episode

 

The Kraft Music Hall (1967)

The Kraft Music Hall

6.4

TV Series

performer: "If He Walked Into My Life"

1969

1 episode

 

The 38th Annual Academy Awards (1966)

The 38th Annual Academy Awards

7.6

TV Special

performer: "I Will Wait For You" (Je ne Pourrai Jamais Vivre sans Toi)

1966

 

Dean Martin in The Dean Martin Show (1965)

The Dean Martin Show

8.1

TV Series

performer: "Downtown", "More", "Love Makes the World Go 'Round", "I'm in the Mood for Love", "Our Language of Love" (Avec les Anges), "Fools Fall in Love", "Let There Be Love", "Careless Love", "Hooray for Love", "Down with Love", "It's Love", "Love Is the Sweetest Thing", "Love", "Love Is a Simple Thing", "Love Is Just Around the Corner", "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing", "Love Is the Reason"

1966

1 episode

 

Fred Astaire and Barrie Chase in The Hollywood Palace (1964)

The Hollywood Palace

8.1

TV Series

performer: "Country Style", "La Seine"

1964

1 episode

 

Malamondo (1964)

Malamondo

6.5

performer: "Funny World"

1964

 

Jack Benny in The Jack Benny Program (1950)

The Jack Benny Program

8.5

TV Series

performer: "The Second Time Around" (uncredited)

1961

1 episode

 

Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (1948)

Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall

7.6

TV Series

performer: "Fascination", "Love Makes the World Go 'Round", "The Day the Rains Came" (Le Jour où la Pluie Viendra), "Our Language of Love" (Avec les Anges), "C'est si bon", "I Love Paris"performer: "Relax-Ay-Voo"performer: "You and the Night and the Music", "Stay as Sweet as You Are", "You Make Me Feel So Young", "Time on My Hands", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "You'll Never Know"

1959–1961

3 episodes

 

The 33rd Annual Academy Awards (1961)

The 33rd Annual Academy Awards

6.2

TV Special

performer: "The Second Time Around"

1961

 

Startime (1959)

Startime

6.4

TV Series

performer: "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To", "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree", "They're Either Too Young or Too Old", "In My Arms", "Lili Marleen", "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (uncredited)

1960

1 episode

 

Timex All-Star Jazz Show (1957)

Timex All-Star Jazz Show

TV Series

performer: "Lazy River", "The Day the Rains Came" (Le Jour où la Pluie Viendra)

1958

1 episode

 

The Big Record (1957)

The Big Record

7.4

TV Series

performer: "Available" (uncredited)

1958

1 episode

 

The Faye Emerson Show (1949)

The Faye Emerson Show

TV Series

performer: "La Seine", "These Foolish Things"

1951

1 episode

 

The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950)

The Colgate Comedy Hour

7.7

TV Series

performer: "Ça Va... Ça Va !"

1951

1 episode

 

Self

Songbook Sessions: Jane Morgan

TV Special

Self

2021

 

Johnny Cash in The Johnny Cash Show (1969)

The Johnny Cash Show

8.6

TV Series

Self - Singer

1971

1 episode

 

Merv Griffin in The Merv Griffin Show (1962)

The Merv Griffin Show

6.6

TV Series

SelfSelf - Singer

1967–1970

12 episodes

 

Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

8.5

TV Series

SelfSelf - Musical GuestSelf - Guest

1963–1970

15 episodes

 

Ed Sullivan in The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)

The Ed Sullivan Show

7.9

TV Series

Self (as Jane Morgan)SelfSelf - Singer ...

1950–1970

24 episodes

 

Mike Douglas in The Mike Douglas Show (1961)

The Mike Douglas Show

7.1

TV Series

Self - VocalistSelf - Co-Host

1962–1970

9 episodes

 

David Frost in The David Frost Show (1969)

The David Frost Show

7.2

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

The Joey Bishop Show (1967)

The Joey Bishop Show

7.2

TV Series

SelfSelf - Guest

1969

2 episodes

 

Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Jane Kean, and Sheila MacRae in The Jackie Gleason Show (1966)

The Jackie Gleason Show

7.9

TV Series

Self - SingerSelf - Musical Guest

1967–1969

2 episodes

 

The Kraft Music Hall (1967)

The Kraft Music Hall

6.4

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

Phil Harris and Martha Raye in Operation: Entertainment (1968)

Operation: Entertainment

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

Fred Astaire and Barrie Chase in The Hollywood Palace (1964)

The Hollywood Palace

8.1

TV Series

SelfSelf - Singer

1964–1968

5 episodes

 

Arlene Francis and Soupy Sales in What's My Line? (1968)

What's My Line?

7.0

TV Series

Self - Mystery Guest

1968

1 episode

 

Dean Martin in The Dean Martin Show (1965)

The Dean Martin Show

8.1

TV Series

Self

1966–1968

3 episodes

 

International Cabaret (1964)

International Cabaret

TV Series

Self

1967

1 episode

 

Simon Dee and Susan Hampshire in Dee Time (1967)

Dee Time

7.6

TV Series

Self

1967

1 episode

 

Val Doonican in The Val Doonican Show (1965)

The Val Doonican Show

6.4

TV Series

Self

1967

1 episode

 

Coliseum

TV Series

Self - Host

1967

1 episode

 

Red Skelton in The Red Skelton Hour (1951)

The Red Skelton Hour

8.1

TV Series

Self - Guest Vocalist

1967

1 episode

 

Virginia Graham in Girl Talk (1963)

Girl Talk

2.7

TV Series

Self

1966

1 episode

 

The Flying Armors in Hippodrome (1966)

Hippodrome

5.9

TV Series

Self - Singer

1966

1 episode

 

The 38th Annual Academy Awards (1966)

The 38th Annual Academy Awards

7.6

TV Special

Self - Performer

1966

 

Password (1961)

Password

7.4

TV Series

Self

1966

5 episodes

 

The Bell Telephone Hour (1959)

The Bell Telephone Hour

7.8

TV Series

SelfSelf - Singer

1965–1966

2 episodes

 

The 39th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

TV Special

Self

1965

 

Jim Henson, Jimmy Dean, and Rowlf in The Jimmy Dean Show (1963)

The Jimmy Dean Show

7.9

TV Series

Self (Jane Morgan) (as Jane Weintraub)

1963–1965

4 episodes

 

On Parade

TV Series

Self

1964

1 episode

 

Helen Atkinson Wood, Nell Campbell, Simon Hickson, Brian Travers, and Trevor Neal in Juke Box Jury (1959)

Juke Box Jury

7.6

TV Series

Self - Panellist

1964

1 episode

 

Bruce Forsyth, Frankie Howerd, Des O'Connor, Jimmy Tarbuck, and Norman Wisdom in Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955)

Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium

7.5

TV Series

Self

1959–1964

3 episodes

 

Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (1948)

Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall

7.6

TV Series

Self

1958–1962

6 episodes

 

Jack Benny in The Jack Benny Program (1950)

The Jack Benny Program

8.5

TV Series

Self

1961

1 episode

 

Here's Hollywood (1960)

Here's Hollywood

8.6

TV Series

Self

1961

1 episode

 

The Bob Newhart Show (1961)

The Bob Newhart Show

7.8

TV Series

Self

1961

1 episode

 

The 33rd Annual Academy Awards (1961)

The 33rd Annual Academy Awards

6.2

TV Special

Self - Performer

1961

 

Val Parnell's Spectacular (1956)

Val Parnell's Spectacular

6.3

TV Series

Self

1959–1960

2 episodes

 

Startime (1959)

Startime

6.4

TV Series

Self

1960

1 episode

 

The Timex Show (1959)

The Timex Show

TV Movie

Self

1959

 

The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams

7.8

TV Series

Self

1959

1 episode

 

The Dick Clark Show (1958)

The Dick Clark Show

7.9

TV Series

Self

1959

1 episode

 

The Garry Moore Show (1958)

The Garry Moore Show

6.9

TV Series

Self

1959

1 episode

 

The Patti Page Oldsmobile Show (1958)

The Patti Page Oldsmobile Show

7.7

TV Series

Self

1959

1 episode

 

Person to Person (1953)

Person to Person

8.2

TV Series

Self (as Jane Weintraub)

1959

1 episode

 

Timex All-Star Jazz Show (1957)

Timex All-Star Jazz Show

TV Series

Self

1958

1 episode

 

The Big Record (1957)

The Big Record

7.4

TV Series

Self (as Jane Weintraub)

1957–1958

2 episodes

 

Club 60

TV Series

Self

1957

1 episode

 

The Howard Miller Show

TV Series

Self

1957

1 episode

 

American Bandstand (1952)

American Bandstand

7.5

TV Series

Self

1957

1 episode

 

Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows in The Jackie Gleason Show (1952)

The Jackie Gleason Show

8.4

TV Series

Self - Guest Vocalist

1957

1 episode

 

The Jonathan Winters Show (1956)

The Jonathan Winters Show

8.7

TV Series

Self

1956

1 episode

 

The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950)

The Colgate Comedy Hour

7.7

TV Series

Self - Singer

1951–1954

2 episodes

 

The Blue Angel

TV Series

Self

1954

1 episode

 

Teresa Brewer in The George Jessel Show (1953)

The George Jessel Show

TV Series

Self

1953

2 episodes

 

The Frankie Howerd Show

TV Movie

Self

1953

 

Cavalcade of Stars (1949)

Cavalcade of Stars

7.9

TV Series

Self - Guest Vocalist

1952

2 episodes

 

The Faye Emerson Show (1949)

The Faye Emerson Show

TV Series

Self

1951

1 episode

 

The Laraine Day Show

TV Series

Self

1951

1 episode

 

Star of the Family (1950)

Star of the Family

TV Series

Self

1951

1 episode

 

Penthouse Party

TV Series

Self

1951

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Billy Bush in Extra (1994)

Extra

3.2

TV Series

Self (archive footage, as Jane Weintraub)

2015

1 episode