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Twin Singers Alice and Ellen Kessler,Known for Work with Sinatra and More,Die on Same Day at 89
LOS ANGELES – Identical twin sisters Alice and Ellen Kessler,a singing duo who charmed audiences alongside entertainment icons like Frank Sinatra,Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, have died on the same day at the age of 89. The pair passed away on July 22, 2024, according to reports from German media outlets Bild and Stern.
The kesslers’ decades-long career spanned both sides of the Atlantic, achieving critically importent recognition in Europe and the United States during the 1960s. Their unique appeal as a twin act, combined with their vocal talent, propelled them to appearances on some of the most popular television programs of the era, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show, and The Red Skelton Show. The sisters’ story highlights a rare instance of enduring sisterhood and professional success in the competitive world of entertainment.
Born in Germany, the Kessler twins initially gained prominence in Europe, earning the nickname ”the nation’s legs” for their frequent appearances on Italian television shows like Winter Garden and Studio One. A 1966 appearance on The Red Skelton Show proved pivotal in launching their American career. “It was very accomplished, and we got a Life magazine title. And, if you get a title on Life magazine, you know, your career starts promptly, and that’s what happened,” one of the sisters recalled in a 2015 interview with Eurovision Radio International. “And so we did many, many television shows in the United States.”
The duo attributed their success,in part,to their novelty as twins. “No, no, becuase we were twins,” one sister explained in the same interview. “I mean,we were something special. Not just one singer, so we were something out of the normal.”
Throughout their career, the Kesslers shared the stage and recording studio with a constellation of stars, including Bing Crosby and Eddie Fisher. They particularly admired Sammy Davis Jr., praising his versatility and artistry. “he was so ‘versatile’ and both moved and sang ‘beautifully’,” they said.
In a final testament to their lifelong bond, the sisters had expressed a wish, shared with Bild in April 2024, to have their ashes buried together in the same urn, alongside those of their mother and their beloved dog, yello.
