Nina Varela was born in 1902 near St. Louis, Missouri, and pursued a career in opera as an mezzo-soprano, characterized by her square-faced, lantern-jawed, and full-figured appearance.
She relocated to the United States in the late 1930s and eventually settled in Hollywood, where she worked extensively throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
During this period, Varela frequently performed at the Shubert Theater, providing accompaniment for plays that went on tour, including several Broadway productions.
One of her most notable roles was as The Grand Duchess of Anastasia in the musical "The Student Prince".
In addition to her stage work, Varela also appeared in various films and television shows, often playing strong-willed maternal figures.
Some of her most notable film credits include "The President's Lady" (1953) and "Madigan" (1968),while her television appearances were mostly limited to two episodes of the popular series "Gunsmoke".
Varela's sense of humor was also evident in a humorous suggestion she made to the U.S. Patent Office in the early 1950s, proposing that American inventions be listed as "Patented U.S. 1952, invented in Russia in 1952", thus providing a complete record.
Varela's last known acting role was in the early 1970s, and she passed away in Los Angeles in 1982.
