Carmen Miranda

Carmen Miranda was a Portuguese-born Brazilian singer and actress who became famous for her colorful and exotic image in the American film industry. She started her career as a hat designer and singer in Brazil, where she recorded many popular songs and appeared in several musical films. She moved to the United States in 1939, where she was invited to perform on Broadway and in Hollywood. She became known for her signature fruit hat and costume, which she wore in films such as Down Argentine Way, That Night in Rio, The Gang's All Here, and Copacabana. She also performed on radio and television shows, such as The Jimmy Durante Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. She was one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world and a symbol of Latin American culture. She was also a philanthropist who supported many causes, such as the Brazilian Air Force and the United Service Organizations. She died of a heart attack in 1955, at the age of 46. She was buried in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where a museum was built in her honor. She is considered a precursor of the Tropicalismo movement and an icon of Brazilian music and cinema.