Biography for
Irene Sharaff More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

23 January 1910, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Date of Death

10 August 1993, New York City, New York, USA

Trivia

During her lengthy career she worked with actresses from Alla Nazimova to Faye Dunaway.

Was assistant to legendary designer Aline Bernstein in the 1930s at New York's famed Civic Repertory Theatre run by actress Eva Le Gallienne.

Second only to Edith Head in winning "Oscars" for costume design. Ms. Head receiving 8 and Ms. Sharaff 5.

She was the only costume designer to work on both the original stage and film versions of two Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, "The King and I" and "Flower Drum Song", and also the original stage and film versions of "West Side Story" and "Funny Girl".

Won Broadway's 1952 Tony Award for Best Costumes for "The King and I." This was followed by six additional Tony nominations as Best Costume Designer: in 1957 for "Candide, "" Happy Hunting," "Shangri-La," and "Small War On Murray Hill;" in 1958 for "West Side Story;" in 1959 for "Flower Drum Song," in 1964 for "The Girl Who Came to Supper;" in 1966 for "Sweet Charity," and in 1968 for "Hallelujah, Baby!".

Great-aunt of famous Armenian actor Levon Sharafyan.

Great-great aunt of costume designer Mikael Sharafyan.

Personal Quotes

The first act finale of "The King and I", will feature Miss Lawrence, Mr Brenner and a Pink Satin Ball Gown.

Yes, you may enter Miss Dunaway's dressing room, but first you most throw a raw steak in - to divert her attention.