See You Lada

This is both Lada many years ago and how she appears today.

Bye Bye Birdie is about to be revived on Broadway, with previews beginning September 10. Conrad Birdie will be played by Nickelodeon's "giant, uncut" star Nolan Gerard Funk (pictured).

But I digress.

Fans of the original production might remember that Lada Edmund, Jr. (pronounced "Layda") got her start in a small role in the show that was based on Elvis Presley's army stint...or they might not. When my pal Walter Newkirk quizzed me about Edmund, I had to admit I hadn't heard of her, a rarity for a boy who prides himself on knowing about even those stars whose major impact occurred before (Lada) or after (Nolan) his time.

And God created Lada.

Edmund went from Bye Bye Birdie to replacement roles in West Side Story and Promises Promises, was in a notorious Joshua Logan musical called Hot September that closed before it hit Broadway due to Logan's mystery hospitalization, and even did a movie with Jon Voight called Out of It (1969) that was released after he became a household name thanks to Midnight Cowboy (a terrific way to become a household name, but can we revoke that in light of his recent idiocy?).

Who knew the number on his shirt was his IQ?

But Edmund's biggest claim to fame was as the caged go-go girl on 1965/66's Hullabaloo, a short-lived but fondly remembered American Bandstand-type music show. Judging from the acquaintances she made and magazine covers she earned, she was quite the "It" girl (maybe a "shake It" girl considering her go-go-getter dance moves)...she even recorded two singles, one of which—"The Larue"—must be heard right this minute:

Reading about the career of a person I didn't grow up knowing about, either firsthand or as a historical figure, always reminds me of the fake movie stars I would create as a child. I would draw some glamorous woman and then draw fake one-sheets to advertise her various movies. Invariably, she would start out at like age 17 in the silents, segue into film noir, win an Oscar or two and wind up playing cheesy granny roles in slasher pictures. I knew the score.

Public dancer.

But Edmund's post-"It" life is as interesting and offbeat as anything she did during her famous days; she's made some low-profile movies, dated Henry Kissinger (oh, Lada, no...but if Shirley MacLaine can do it, I guess we'll give you a pass, too) and became a professional stuntwoman, working on Smokey & the Bandit, Charlie's Angels and Starsky & Hutch.

Literally, a crash-test dummy.

Because she started so young she's still so young—just past 60—and is currently engaged in "bringing sexy back for the menopause set" via her work as a personal trainer, her expertise in karate and as one of the developers of Minor Miracles, a program to help keep kids physically fit that's based in Waldwick, New Jersey. Actually, Edmund—who now goes by Lada St. Edmund and is friendable on Facebook—seems to have a life that now is even more interesting, if anything.

No longer a nymphette, Lada can kick your father's ass.

So much for fading away.

More Lada after the jump...

With a Gable-looking James Mason at the Beverly Hills Hotel Pool (1960).

What hot young pieces of the '60s didn't Mick Jagger know?

The Supremes, with Miss Ross looking ahead to whatever's coming next.

Mopping off Paul Lynde in 1969.

With former teen idol Troy Donahue.

The crucial Beatles pose. George is stupefied by her deliciousness.

Statuesque.

The visible brand "Everlast" makes this picture a work of art.

Finally, I think Billie Piper is a dead ringer for Lada, no?:

Comments

[17Days]

billie IS a dead ringer for her...

ps: Billie Piper put out an album in 2000 called WALK OF LIFE that is a pretty fantastic euro-pop album.

[Walter Newkirk]

wow Billie Piper is a dead ringer for Lada. The item about Lada dating Henry Kissinger was actually in JFK Jr.s Book of Lists according to Lada - if any one out there is living in Northern New Jersey - check out Lada for some kick boxing classes and as a personal trainer. A very good friend of mine has been training with her for over 15 years. Many thanks for you Matt for the feature about Ms. Lada!

[LADA ST. EDMUND]

MATTHEW, i just want to say, "how cool are you !!" for doing that.. your too funny, and on the money about john voight, anyway,i was thrilled you "resurected me" as some of my clients have told me, it;s better to be a has been than a never was!!...after this,maybe Ishould raise my prices! thank you sooooo much LADA

[Matthew Rettenmund]

Walter: No prob!
Lada: Wow, thank you for the kind words. I agree on the has-been thing. Most critics are never-weres! Keep up all your good work. Physical fitness is something I have rarely achieved and often avoided, but I've been doing much better as mortality has sunk in and I do think a lot of our country's health woes would be drastically improved if everyone tried harder to exercise and eat right.

[Jimmy Tee]

Lada is like a hot Bridget Nielsen but with class! She should do surreal life and kick some has-been celebrity asses into shape!

[Walter Newkirk]

If anyone wants more info about Lada please email me directly!
newkirkpr@aol.com Thanks again Matt!!! I love you and of course i love LADA!!!

[Walter Newkirk]

I also love that song the Larue...my friend Peter who is very critical said..."I'm surprised she wasn't signed by Motown."

[richard martel]

I have become a HUGE fan of Lada over the last year or so, and I have one quick question: did Lada dance on the 1968 Ray Anthony Show? By the way, she looks like Tara Lipinski in her earlier photos (as she did in the movie For Those Who Think Young). Thanks!

[Walter Newkirk]

I am having brunch with Lada tomorrow...I will ask her...

[Allan Surdi]

Walter i must say you found a very hot looking woman up to my attention but when you told me about her and what a nice person she was, well then i must say she already sounded impresive, but when i saw her i was blown away. WOW!! Thanks for showing me the wonderful Lada
I will pay full attention to her from now on.

[richard martel]

Walter Newkirk: I thank you profusely. My mother taught ballroom dancing professionally, and I have a very high regard for the artform of dancing. When I 1st noticed Lada on a Time-Life infomercial, I thought she was an obscure dancer from the sixties, lost to oblivion. According to her fans from that era, she was THE BOMB on tv. I almost feel as if I discovered her retroactively. Anyway, tell her she has a ton of fans on YouTube, many of whom weren't even born when Hullabaloo was on the air.

[Walter Newkirk]

I will tell her Richard...she will be thrilled to hear this. If you write to me via email I can send you a more detailed media alert about Lada - newkirkpr@aol.com I still can't believe she has been a personal trainer to my college friend for 15 years and Lada never mentioned any of her past and my friend did not know!

[GEORGE W. MCGLAUGHLIN]

KNOWING LADA AND WALTER THRU MY FRIENDS ANDREA AND BOB, HAS BEEN AN EXPERIENCE.
SHE HAS BEEN ANDREA'S TRAINER FOR YEARS AND HER GUIDANCE IS EVIDENT IN ANDREA'S FITNESS, ENERGY, AND STAMINA. NICE WORK WALTER
GREAT LIFE LADA!! KEEP IT UP
YOUR ADVICE ON MY 3RD KNEE SURGERY IS GRATEFULLY RECIEVED. GK MAC SANTA KAZOO

[Walter Newkirk]

Matt - how is Billie Piper's music?

[Andrea Neumann]

I have been training with Lada for over 15 years. She is a truly amazing master trainer and, unlike most trainers, Lada customizes a program geared to each person's specific needs.

In my case, I'm TALLER, FASTER, STRONGER and HARDER - isn't that what every girl wants??? (Even some of the big football players she trains want this!) Most of all, Lada’s training technique is a cross between Sgt. Slaughter and Tinker-bell - tough with a terrific sense of humor.

For those of you interested in improving your health and longevity and have a good sense of humor, check her out at Odyssey Athletics Club in Waldwick, NJ. Just know she is NOT available from 10-11:30am on Saturdays!

[Ann Harper]

Love all the info on Lada. What a gal she turned out to be AND better looking than ever! A big thank u to Walter N. for all the info and to this site to presenting it. I used to copy her dancing. Even won a dance contest - LOL Ahhh youth

[Mark Dienstag]

Unbelievable! Some of us were playing "N.Y. Georgaphy" the other day as in do you know who is where. Lada's name came up. I was a friend, more exactly a love struck kid to the georgeous and up and coming star. She was 13 or so when we first met. I was 11 or 12. She may or may not remember however we lived in the Eldorado Building in Manhattan. I had just moved to N.Y. I was a Virgina boy and the Big Apple was like landing on the moon. Anyway I think I may still have some publicity shots Lada gave me. If I find them I'll send them along.

[Walter Newkirk]

Hi Mark - You can contact Lada on Facebook under the name Lada St. Edmund! Thanks for this post!
Or you can write to me @ newkirkpr@aol.com.

[MAC MCGLAUGHLIN]

LADA WANTS TO BE A SANTA ELF THIS YEAR.......HO HO HO JUST RUB SANTA'S BELLY FOR LUCK

SANTA KAZOOOOOOOO

[dawn]

dear lada'
i am a big fan of yours iam 32 years old and i love your dancing and singing i would love to get a autograph picture of you my birthday is coming up please mail it to dawn grasso 103 arbor drive ho-ho-kus nj 07423 by the way merry christmas

[Carmine Campanello]

Hi Lada. I've been a huge fan of yours since the mid 60's. You look FANTASTIC! I must say, as someone who's become somewhat out of shape, (myself, that is, not you...lol), you are a real inspiration. BTW, if you happen to have one of those autographed photos of yourself and wouldn't mind sending me one, it would really make my year. I'm at 202 Holiday Blvd. Center Moriches, N.Y. 11934 Have a very Merry Christmas...Carmine