Lola Falana (born Loletha Elaine Falana) (September 11, 1942 - ) is an American dancer and actress of part Cuban and African American descent. Born in Camden, New Jersey, she dropped out of high school and moved to New York City to pursue a career in show business. While dancing in a nightclub, she was discovered by Sammy Davis Jr, who gave her a featured role in his Broadway musical Golden Boy. Her relationship with Davis took her to Las Vegas, where she would spend most of her career.
In 1986, not long after she left the CBS soap opera Capitol, Falana was stricken with multiple sclerosis. Crippled and partially blind, she spent a year and a half recovering. In 1989, she returned to Las Vegas, performing several sold-out shows at the Sands Hotel.
Her return would be short-lived, however. She soon left show business altogether to become a Catholic evangelist.
