Biography
Donna Butterworth (February 23, 1956 -- March 6, 2018) was an American singer and motion picture performer who acted in The Family Jewels with Jerry Lewis and Paradise, Hawaiian Style with Elvis Presley, as well as a two-part episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color entitled "A Boy Called Nuthin'" with Ron Howard. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in The Family Jewels. In 1966 and 1967 the 10 year old Donna made two teen pop singles, produced by Lee Hazlewood and written by Jerry Music (real name Musil) and Myra Music from Phoenix, Arizona.
Butterworth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The family moved to Hawaii where her father was working in the construction boom.
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Gifted at performing Hawaiian music from an early age, Donna gave concerts around the islands and worked with Don Ho. She was discovered by the producers of Paradise, Hawaiian Style where she appeared opposite Elvis Presley, singing several duets in the film with him. Little Leatherneck, an unsold sit-com pilot film in which she appeared, aired on ABC television as part of the 7 week 1966 series Summer Fun.
Donna turned her back on acting in favor of singing, appearing on The Dean Martin Show, The Danny Kaye Show and The Hollywood Palace variety programs.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.