Jane Morgan Weintraub

Jane Morgan Weintraub, singer, nightclub entertainer and Broadway Star passed away today at 2:01pm EST age 101. Morgan died in Naples, FL of natural causes. “Our beloved Jane passed away peacefully in her sleep,” it was confirmed by her family.

A universally beloved entertainer, Morgan was initially a sensation in France and traveled all over Europe singing in five different languages before becoming a star in the United States and ultimately earning six gold records. Her stirring rendition of Fasciation became a smash hit and was considered a standard among such other classics as the worldwide hit, The Day The Rains Came, With Open Arms, To Love and Be Loved , With Open Arms and Blue Hawaii.

Born Florence Catherine Currier in Newton Massachusetts, Morgan was raised by a musical family in Florida and started singing on stage at age 7. In 1948 she was training as a lyric soprano at the Julliard Conservatory in New York when she was spotted at a nightclub by French Society Bandleader Bernard Hilda who, recognizing her unique talents, took her to sing at clubs in France where she quickly became “The Toast of Paris.”

From there, Morgan’s popularity and celebrated career continued to ascend to impressive heights. Returning to America she signed with Knapp Records and realized a string of hit singles and best-selling albums including The American Girl from Paris and All The Way.

In 1962, Morgan had a new manager, Jerry Weintraub who would ultimately become one of the entertainment industry’s more formidable music managers working with Elvis Presley and John Denver as well as a prolific film producer responsible for such hits as The Karate Kid and Oceans’ Eleven.

Morgan married Weintraub in 1965 and she became stepmother to Weintraub’s son Michael. Morgan and Weintraub would add to their family by adopting three daughters, Julie, Jamie and Jody.

Over the course of her impressive career, Morgan performed for Presidents and toured with the popular comedians of the day. She made numerous appearances on television specials and hosting three of her own including The Jane Morgan Hour. In addition to continuing to produce more best-selling albums, she was a favorite on many variety shows and holds the record as a female singer with the most appearances – 50 – on The Ed Sullivan Show. In 2011, Morgan was the recipient of a Star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Morgan is survived by her son, Michael Weintraub (Maria) and her daughters, Jamie Weintraub and Jody Weintraub, along with six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband Jerry and her daughter, Julie.

Memorial Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology at UCLA.