Carlotta AM | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Lawrence Byron[1] 2 September 1943 Balmain, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other names | Carol Byron, Carole Spencer, Carole Lea[2] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1959– |
| Known for | Les Girls (stage revue) |
| Television | [3] |
Carlotta AM (born 2 September 1943)[1][2] is the stage name of Carol Byron, also known as Carol Spencer and credited briefly on television as Carole Lea,[2] a transgender Australian cabaret performer and television personality.
Carlotta began her professional career in 1959 as a Bridgette Bardot-like performer,[1] as an original cast member of the long-running Sydney-based male revue Les Girls (pronounced lay-girls) cabaret show, which had an international following, in Sydney's Kings Cross. Carlotta performed spot-numbers as a singer and comedian, and eventually became the show's compere and lead attraction.
Although best known as a cabaret performer, in 1974 Carlotta appeared on the television series Number 96 as Miss Robyn Ross, in a comedic story line that saw her coming out as transgender to the surprise of her boyfriend Arnold (Jeff Kevin). Her appearance on the show marked the first time worldwide that a transgender character was portrayed by a transgender actor.[4]
As a TV presenter, Carlotta was a featured panelist on the talk show Beauty and the Beast, as well as a regular guest on the entertainment program Studio 10.[2]
In 2021, Carlotta announced her retirement from the industry after 62 years.[5] In response, the Sydney Morning Herald cited Carlotta as an Australian legend in the vein of Don Bradman and Cate Blanchett.[6]
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