Mimi Hines, the vibrant and talented performer, has had a remarkable five-decade career as a singer, comedienne, and actress. Born in Canada in 1933, she grew up with a natural flair for making faces and getting laughs. Her journey in the entertainment industry began in 1952 when she met Phil Ford in Alaska, filling in for his female partner who had accidentally broken her ankle. They married two years later and continued performing together in nightclubs, with Phil serving as the straight man to Mimi's zany antics.
Mimi's unique blend of rubber-faced comedy and heart-wrenching torch songs made her a crowd favorite. She and Phil earned their big break on Jack Paar's "The Tonight Show" program in 1958, with Mimi delivering a tear-inducing rendition of "Till There Was You." This led to numerous appearances on TV variety shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Jimmy Dean, and Johnny Carson.
In 1965, Mimi replaced Barbra Streisand in the Broadway production of "Funny Girl," playing the iconic role of Fanny Brice. She stayed with the show for 18 months, bringing her own unique stamp to the character. Phil co-starred with Mimi as Eddie Ryan, Fanny's show biz confidante.
Mimi continued to perform in musical comedy, often opposite Phil, in productions such as "I Do! I Do!," "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," "Anything Goes," "Never Too Late," "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," "No, No, Nanette," "Hello, Dolly!," and many others. She also recorded albums and appeared in acting parts on TV, including "Love, American Style" and "Frasier."
After the partnership dissolved in 1972, Mimi continued to perform solo, overcoming personal and professional challenges over the years. She has continued to headline in nightclubs, music halls, and touring stages, both in the United States and abroad. Mimi has reunited with Phil on several occasions and has appeared in recent musicals such as "Sugar Babies," "Nite Club Confidential," "Sugar," "Pippin," and "Nunsense." Despite the ups and downs, Mimi remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, still performing and entertaining audiences at the age of 70+.
