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News Photo Special: Wishing a Happy 100th Birthday to "Lady Day," Billie Holiday The legendary jazz artist Billie Holiday would have celebrated her 100th birthday today. We look back at some of the great women to have portrayed "Lady Day" on stage and screen.

By Matthew Blank

April 07, 2015

Wishing a Happy 100th Birthday to "Lady Day," Billie Holiday

Diana Ross portrayed Holiday in the 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues" — Wishing a Happy 100th Birthday to "Lady Day," Billie Holiday

The legendary jazz artist Billie Holiday would have celebrated her 100th birthday today. We look back at some of the great women to have portrayed "Lady Day" on stage and screen.
14 PHOTOS

Diana Ross portrayed Holiday in the 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues"

Diana Ross portrayed Holiday in the 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues"

Lonette McKee originated the title role in Lanie Robertson's <i>Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill</i> — Lonette McKee originated the title role in Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Lonette McKee originated the title role in Lanie Robertson's <i>Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill</i> — Lonette McKee originated the title role in Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Lonette McKee originated the title role in Lanie Robertson's <i>Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill</i> — Lonette McKee originated the title role in Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

McKee would be succeeded by such talents as Jackée Harry

.... and S. Epatha Merkerson

Next Slide

.... and Eartha Kitt

... and Loretta Devine

Dee Dee Bridgewater played Holiday in the 2013 stage work <i>Lady Day</i> — Dee Dee Bridgewater played Holiday in the 2013 stage work Lady Day

Dee Dee Bridgewater played Holiday in the 2013 stage work <i>Lady Day</i> — Dee Dee Bridgewater played Holiday in the 2013 stage work Lady Day

Audra McDonald won her 6th Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production of <i>Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill</i> — Audra McDonald won her 6th Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Audra McDonald won her 6th Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production of <i>Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill</i> — Audra McDonald won her 6th Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Happy birthday, Lady Day!

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