A talented dancer, Coca was in high demand for Broadway chorus lines. While rehearsing for New Faces of 1934, she was trying to stay warm in the unheated theater by jumping around. Choreographer Leonard Stillman walked in on her and said “It looks funny; I’ll put it in the show.” Critics loved it and called Coca an “up-and-coming comedic talent.”
And it was in comedy that she made her mark. In 1949, she worked with Sid Caesar on live shows, and was made part of his cast for his legendary Your Show of Shows TV series in 1950. Her classic sketch comedy there earned her an Emmy award. Coca died June 2 at home in Westport, Conn., at 92.