Ginny Simms

Birth Name:

Virginia Ellen Simms

Birth Place:

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Profession

Actress, Soundtrack

Earned distinction during WWII and had a B-17 Flying Fortress named after her
A Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, Calif․, Walk of Stars was dedicated to her in 1993
Studied at Fresno State Teachers College where she took advantage of opportunities to sing on campus
After her death, she was interred in Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, Calif
Bandleader Kay Kyser first heard her when she was singing at a club in San Francisco
Started out as a soloist, earning her own local radio program by 1932
For a time, she considered studying to become a concert pianist
Had her own network radio show "The Ginny Simms Show" in the 1940s
A big band singer, she came to fame as the lead singer for Kay Kyser's band in the 1930s, following him to Hollywood and making her first three films with his orchestra
Had a secondary career as a decorator and developer, decorating her own homes as well as hotels and resorts in Palm Springs, Washington, Minnesota, Hawaii, Mexico and Spain

Fast Facts