Smith, Kate (redirected from Kathryn Elizabeth Smith)

Smith, Kate

 orig. Kathryn Elizabeth Smith

(born May 1, 1909, Greenville, Va., U.S.—died June 17, 1986, Raleigh, N.C.) U.S. singer, long known as the “First Lady of Radio.” Smith studied nursing before moving to New York City, where she won a Broadway role as an overweight girl who was the butt of jokes. In 1931 she began her immensely popular radio show Kate Smith Sings, which ran for 16 years; her theme song, “When the Moon Comes over the Mountain,” became familiar to millions. In 1938 she created the news and gossip program Kate Smith Speaks and introduced Irving Berlin's song “God Bless America.” She hosted several television shows in the 1950s. In 1982 she was awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom.

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Smith, (Kathryn Elizabeth) Kate (1909–86) singer; born in Greenville, Va. While appearing on Broadway as the contralto lead in Flying High (1930), she was discovered by agent Ted Collins. She began her radio show on CBS in 1931, immortalizing God Bless America in 1938. During World War II she toured widely to sell war bonds and entertain the troops. Star of the Kate Smith Hour (1950–54) on National Broadcasting Company television, she returned with CBS's Kate Smith Show in 1960. With her "classic" voice, her large physique, and old-fashioned values, she sustained her popularity during many years when much of the entertainment business was moving in other directions.