Edie Adams (1927-2008)

Edie Adams, born as Edith Elizabeth Enke on April 16, 1927, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, was a celebrated American comedian, actress, singer, and businesswoman. She had a multifaceted career that spanned from 1951 to 2004, which included winning the Tony Award, and an Emmy Award nomination.

Adams was noted for her remarkable impersonations of sexy stars, especially Marilyn Monroe, on stage and television. She was also well recognized as the frequent television partner of Ernie Kovacs, who was also her husband. Moreover, Adams had a flair for entrepreneurship; she established two beauty businesses: Edie Adams Cosmetics and Edie Adams Cut 'n' Curl.

She was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, to Sheldon Alonzo Enke and Ada Dorothy (née Adams), who were conservative native Pennsylvanians. Adams’s family relocated to various areas including Shavertown, and Trucksville, and spent a year in New York City before finally settling in Tenafly, New Jersey. There, Adams attended Tenafly High School.

Edie’s mother had a trained dramatic soprano voice and taught her daughter singing and piano. Adams excelled in her own clothing designs, starting in the sixth grade. Later, she even launched her own designer line of clothing.

Upon completion of high school, Adams aspired to be a vocalist and got selected at Juilliard, where she earned a vocal degree. She then proceeded to complete a fifth year and graduated from Columbia School of Drama. She also took lessons at the Actors Studio in New York. Despite studying serious music at Juilliard, Adams was introduced to lighter, popular performance styles during her summer jobs. Throughout her career, she juggled between roles in serious music and comedy.

Adams passed away on October 15, 2008, in Los Angeles, California.