Mae West
American actress and sex symbol known for double entendres.
Recognized as a prominent sex symbol of her time, she was known for portraying sexually confident characters and for her use of double entendres, often delivering her lines in a distinctive contralto voice.
- died
- November 22, 1980
- field
- Actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, playwright
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Portraying sexually confident characters, use of double entendres, and censorshi
Lore & Background
Her mother was a German immigrant from Bavaria, and her paternal grandparents were of Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. During her childhood, the family lived in various areas of Woodhaven, Queens, and the Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The production led to her arrest and a 10-day jail sentence for 'corrupting the morals of youth,' which she served eight days of, garnering publicity.
Reader's Guide
Mae West's significance lies in her role as a pioneering figure in American entertainment who challenged censorship and social norms through her provocative stage and screen work. Her use of double entendres and portrayal of sexually confident characters made her a prominent sex symbol and a target of censorship, yet she famously stated, 'I believe in censorship.
Did You Know?
- Mae West was delivered at home by her aunt, a midwife.
- In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked her 15th among the greatest female screen legends of classic American cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mae West?
Mae West was an American entertainer whose multifaceted career as an actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright stretched across more than seven decades.
What made Mae West famous?
She became a defining sex symbol of her era by playing sexually self-assured characters and delivering witty double entendres in a rich contralto voice.
Where did Mae West start her career?
She began performing in vaudeville and on stage in New York City before eventually transitioning to the film industry in Los Angeles.
Why was Mae West controversial?
Her suggestive dialogue and unapologetic portrayals of female sexuality repeatedly clashed with censorship authorities, making her a frequent lightning rod for moral debates.
When was Mae West born and when did she die?
She was born Mary Jane West on August 17, 1893, in Brooklyn, New York, and died on November 22, 1980.
More in Celebrity Entertainers 1-20
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record