Nancy Hillis
Nancy Hillis | |
|---|---|
 Hillis and Emma Kelly (at the piano) in 1994 | |
| Born | Nancy Lee Hillis March 19, 1948 Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 2016 (aged 68) Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Known for | Appearance in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil |
Nancy Lee Hillis (March 19, 1948 – August 9, 2016) was an American musician.[1] She came to prominence after her appearance as one of the main characters in John Berendt's 1994 true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.[2]
Early life
Hillis was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1948. She was raised by her grandparents.[3]
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
In John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Hillis was renamed "Mandy Nicholls",[4][5] the love interest of Joe Odom; however, Hillis stated that there was no romantic relationship between her and Odom, who was "not strictly heterosexual."[6] They performed music together only and owned a bar, Sweet Georgia Brown's, in Savannah's City Market.[7][3]
In 1991, Hillis purchased the Hamilton–Turner Inn in Savannah's Lafayette Square.[4]
Hillis said that, contrary to what Berendt wrote, she and Odom did not meet until Odom had moved from 16 East Jones Street in Savannah to 101 East Oglethorpe Avenue, a three-storey townhouse at the corner of Drayton Street. From there, he moved to 126 West Harris Street in Pulaski Square.[8]
Mandy Nicholls was portrayed by Alison Eastwood in her father's 1997 movie adaptation.
Book
In 2015, Hillis released her biography, Nancy Hillis: The Vamp of Savannah, named after the song "Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah)."[9]
Death
Hillis died at Savannah's Candler Hospital in 2016, aged 68, after a five-year battle with ALS.[9]
References
- ^ Collins, Andrew (2002). Carolinas and Georgia: The Guide for All Budgets, Completely Updated, with Many Maps and Travel Tips. p. 67.
- ^ "`MIDNIGHT' MADNESS IN SAVANNAH". Chicago Tribune. 1994-06-26. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ a b MOSES, LESLIE. "'This is the real me'; 'Midnight' star Nancy Hillis shines light on her life in new book". Bluffton Today. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ a b "Yankee Who Captured Savannah Is Its Hero (Published 1996)". 1996-04-27. Archived from the original on 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Book Heralds a New Chapter in Savannah's Fortunes : Tourism: 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' a best-selling travel guide and murder mystery, has prompted a swarm of visitors to the Southern city". Los Angeles Times. 1995-11-10. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ "MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF FACT AND FICTION" - Washington Examiner, December 29, 1996
- ^ "Nancy Hillis, ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’s’ Mandy, passes away" - Savannah Morning News, August 9, 2016
- ^ "'This is the real me'; 'Midnight' star Nancy Hillis shines light on her life in new book" - Bluffon Today, January 20, 2016
- ^ a b "Nancy Hillis, ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’s’ Mandy, passes away" - Savannah Morning News, August 9, 2016