A devoted animal lover, she once bought a crippled duck for 60 cents while vacationing in California. She nursed the bird back to health on the terrace of her Manhattan penthouse.
A talented singer and dancer who took piano lessons at 5, singing lessons at 6, and dance class at 7. Made stage debut as 9-year-old dancer, then solo singing stint at age 11.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 109-111. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
First husband Robert Burton arranged music for many of her sketches. Second husband was actor King Donovan, who often performed with her in theater.
In 1973, she was severely injured in a car accident. She lost her sight in her right eye when the rearview mirror hit her eye, split her leg open, broke her cheekbone, and fractured her ankle.
Made breakthrough in Broadway revue 'New Faces of 1934.'
Offstage, Imogene Coca was extremely shy and gentle.
Profiled in book "Funny Ladies" by Stephen Silverman. [1999]
Suffered from Alzheimer's disease at the time of her death.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1978 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "On the Twentieth Century."
Was the daughter of José Fernandez de Coca, a violinist and vaudeville band leader, and Sadie Brady Coca, a dancer who also performed in a magician's act.