Trivia

Won an Oscar for playing Madame Hortense in Zorba the Greek (1964), and 20 years later won a Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for playing the same role in the Broadway production of "Zorba" (1964 Oscar/1984 Tony).

She was the first Russian actress to win an Oscar.

When she and her family escaped from Russia, her birth papers were left behind and never recovered. Her counterfeit papers were later confiscated.

Her father, a musician, was a favorite of Tsar Nicholas II. The entire family were forced to flee to Germany as a result of the October Revolution.

Spoke Russian, French, English, and some Italian.

She was a child prodigy on the piano, appearing on the stage in Paris from the age of 15.

Had homes in Toronto, Paris, and summer home in Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, Canada.

Suffered from congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease.

Of the nine performers during the 20th century who won both the Tony Award and the Oscar for the same role, she was the only one to win the Oscar first and then the Tony. She was also the last of the nine to win both awards -- she won her Tony eleven years after Joel Grey won his Oscar for Cabaret (1972).

Devoted much of her talents to the Paris stage.

Had no children.

Was the 60th actress to receive an Academy Award; she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Zorba the Greek (1964) at The 37th Annual Academy Awards (1965) on April 5, 1965.

Lila is one of 10 performers to win the Tony and the Oscar for the same role. However, while the other 9 won the Tony first, then the Oscar, Lila won the Oscar first. In 1964, she received the Academy Award for the film "Zorba, the Greek", 20 years before winning the Tony for the same role in 1984.