Person Biography:
Teresa Mary O'Shea, affectionately known as "Two Ton Tessie," was a renowned British music hall entertainer born on March 13, 1913, in Cardiff, Wales. She was the daughter of a humble newspaper wholesaler and began performing in music halls at the age of six, earning the nickname "The Wonder of Wales." O'Shea's early career saw her capturing several prizes in talent contests for her singing and dancing, and she made her solo debut at the Bristol Hippodrome at 12.
As she grew in size, O'Shea became a major attraction, belting out bawdy and novelty songs like "Don't Have Any More, Missus Moore" and "Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy" while dressed in comedic attire. She won the hearts and respect of soldiers during World War II, touring with ENSA, and later went on the road with band-leader Billy Cotton in the successful musical revue "Tess and Bill."
O'Shea's signature song, "Two Ton Tessie from Tennessee," was recorded in 1939 and later added to Ray Charles' repertoire. She became a frequent headliner at the London Palladium and starred in the musical revue "High Time" in 1946. In the 1960s, she took the United States by storm, becoming a Tony Award-winning sensation on Broadway with her scene-stealing song "London" in the musical "The Girl Who Came to Supper."
O'Shea continued to perform until ill health forced her retirement. She died on April 21, 1995, at the age of 82, in Leesburg, Florida, due to congestive heart failure.
