Gypsy Rose Lee
Biography
Gypsy Rose Lee, born Rose Louise Hovick on January 8, 1911, in Seattle, Washington, was an American burlesque entertainer, stripper, vedette, actress, author, and playwright. Also known as Louise Hov, she became famous for her striptease act. Alongside her little sister June and their stage mother Rose Thompson Hovick, she passed into show business legend when her 1957 memoir titled Gypsy became a bestselling Broadway smash. Her 1957 memoir was later adapted into the 1959 stage musical Gypsy, which in turn inspired the 1962 musical comedy drama film Gypsy. She also appeared in a comedy directed by David Butler, where she was credited as Rose Hovick alongside other cast members. Gypsy Rose Lee died on April 26, 1970, at the age of 59.
Career overview
Gypsy Rose Lee, also known by the name Rose Louise Hovick, was born on January 8, 1911, in Seattle, Washington. She established her career as an American burlesque entertainer, stripper, and vedette, becoming famous for her striptease act. In addition to her work in burlesque, she expanded her career as an actress, author, and playwright. Her acting credits in movies and television are documented with thirty-one known credits in the database.
Her life and career entered show business legend alongside her little sister June and their stage mother, Rose Thompson Hovick. Her 1957 bestselling memoir titled Gypsy became a Broadway smash and was adapted into the 1959 stage musical Gypsy, which subsequently inspired the 1962 musical comedy-drama film Gypsy. During her career, she also appeared in film work such as a comedy directed by David Butler, which featured songs and a cast including Tony Martin, Roland Young, John Carradine, June Lang, Virginia Field, Charles Lane, and The Peters Sisters, with Lee credited in that appearance as Rose Hovick.
Gypsy Rose Lee passed away on April 26, 1970, at the age of fifty-nine. Throughout her life and professional career, she made a lasting impact as a performer, author, and cultural figure whose personal history and writings inspired major theatrical and cinematic adaptations.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
34 titles- Gypsy (2015) Novel
- Six by Sondheim (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Striptease: The Greatest Exotic Dancers of All Time (2004) as Herself (archive footage)
- Bogart: The Untold Story (1997) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Gypsy (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- Gypsy (1994) Novel
- Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company (1992) Book
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- The Over the Hill Gang (1969) as Cassie
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Rosetta Stewart
- Around the World of Mike Todd (1968) as Self
- The Trouble with Angels (1966) as Mrs. Mabel Dowling Phipps
- Burke's Law (1963) as Miss Bumpsy Cathcart
- The Stripper (1963) as Madame Olga
- Gypsy (1962) Novel
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Hostess
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Big Party (1959) as Self
- Wind Across the Everglades (1958) as Mrs. Bradford
- Screaming Mimi (1958) as Joann 'Gypsy' Masters
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
- Babes in Bagdad (1952) as Zohara
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Panelist
- Doll Face (1945) Theatre Play
- Belle of the Yukon (1944) as Belle De Valle
- Lady of Burlesque (1943) Novel
- Stage Door Canteen (1943) as Gypsy Rose Lee
- Sally, Irene and Mary (1938) as Joyce Taylor
- Battle of Broadway (1938) as Linda Lee
- My Lucky Star (1938) as Marcelle La Verne (as Louise Hovick)
- You Can't Have Everything (1937) as Lulu Riley
- Ali Baba Goes to Town (1937) as Sultana/Louise Hovick (billed as Louise Hovick)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gypsy Rose Lee best known for?
Gypsy Rose Lee is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Men of Honor (2000), The Trouble with Angels (1966), Burke's Law (1963), Gypsy (1962).
When and where was Gypsy Rose Lee born?
Gypsy Rose Lee was born on January 8, 1911 in Seattle, Washington, USA. They passed away on April 26, 1970.
How many credits does Gypsy Rose Lee have?
Gypsy Rose Lee has accumulated over 34 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1937 to 2015.
What is Gypsy Rose Lee's background in cinema and television?
Gypsy Rose Lee, born Rose Louise Hovick on January 8, 1911, in Seattle, Washington, was an American burlesque entertainer, stripper, vedette, actress, author, and playwright. Also known as Louise Hov, she became famous for her striptease act. Alongside her little sister June and their stage mother Rose Thompson Hovick,...
Gypsy Rose Lee by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self — aged about 46
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Rosetta Stewart — aged about 57
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self — aged about 39
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Panelist — aged about 39
- The Trouble with Angels (1966) as Mrs. Mabel Dowling Phipps — aged about 55
- Burke's Law (1963) as Miss Bumpsy Cathcart — aged about 52
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