Gayla Peevey Henderson (born March 8, 1943) is a former singer and child star from Ponca City, Oklahoma. She is best known for her recording, under her maiden name Gayla Peevey, of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (Columbia 4-40106, 1953). Peevey recorded the novelty song when she was 10 years old.In 1959, she had a minor hit with the song "Robot Man", recorded under the name Jamie Horton. The song was covered by Connie Francis.
Graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in teaching. Left teaching and went into advertising where she owned her own firm for 15 years.
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Sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (Columbia, 1953) and raised $3000 in the "buy a hippo for Gayla" campaign, which resulted in the local zoo receiving a baby hippopotamus named Matilda. Gayla presented this hippo to the zoo.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever
2014
TV Movie performer: "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Hippo the Hero"
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Ed Sullivan Show
1953
TV Series
Herself
The Saturday Night Revue
1953
TV Series
Herself
Known for movies
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever (2014) as Soundtrack
$5 Million
