Denise Lor

Early years

Of French parentage and born Denise Jeanne Briault, in Los Angeles, Lor moved with her mother to Jackson Heights, Queens, New York at the age of 5, following her father's death. She graduated Newtown High School and took art courses at night at Cooper Union, intent on becoming a commercial artist, while waitressing during the day at a Schrafft's restaurant. She also had a love for singing, saving up money to do it professionally. She believed her chance to sing in Sonja Henie's New York ice show at the Center Theatre to be her big break. She also decided to use her mother's maiden name, Lor, as her stage name.

Television

In addition to her work on The Garry Moore Show, Lor was a regular on The Big Payoff and Droodles.

Personal appearances

After Lor's association with The Garry Moore Show ended, she performed in night clubs and similar venues. In the early 1970s, she worked in touring stock theater.

Stage

Lor appeared in numerous musical comedies including Gypsy, Annie and Sweeney Todd.

Recording

Lor's main hit song was "If I Give My Heart to You", which charted in 1954 at the same time as another recording of the same song by Doris Day.

Personal life

Lor married and subsequently divorced TV director and singer Jay Martin, with whom she had sons, Ron and Denis. They had met when she was singing on The Garry Moore Show at CBS, where he was an associate director. Her second marriage was to writer Charles Horine (aka Chuck Horner).