Mae West
Biography
Mae West, born Mary Jane West on August 17, 1893, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, comedian, and sex symbol whose career spanned more than seven decades. She was known for her work in vaudeville and on the stage in New York before moving to Hollywood to work in the motion picture industry as a comedienne, actress, and writer. Recognized as one of the more controversial movie stars of her day, she encountered issues including censorship. The American Film Institute named her 15th among the greatest female stars of all time. West died on November 22, 1980, at the age of 87. During her career, she accumulated 49 known acting credits.
Career overview
Mae West was born Mary Jane West on August 17, 1893, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Her entertainment career spanned more than seven decades, during which she worked as an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, comedian, and sex symbol. Known for her bawdy double entendres, West initially made a name for herself in vaudeville and on the stage in New York before moving to Hollywood.
In the motion picture industry, West established herself as a comedienne, actress, and writer. She became one of the more controversial movie stars of her day and encountered problems including censorship. Recognized for her contributions to American cinema, the American Film Institute named West 15th among the greatest female stars of all time. Additionally, she was among the best-paid film stars in Hollywood during the 1930s.
West's extensive career in the entertainment industry accumulated 49 known credits in acting on the Movie Database platform. Her life and career were later depicted in the United States television film Mae West, released in 1982 and directed by Lee Philips, which featured actors Ann Jillian, James Brolin, Piper Laurie, Roddy McDowall, and Louis Giambalvo. West passed away on November 22, 1980, at the age of 87.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
60 titles- Becoming Marilyn (2022) as (archive footage)
- Mae West: Dirty Blonde (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Becoming Cary Grant (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- The Women Who Run Hollywood (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Vito (2011) as Self (archive)
- Starz Inside: Sex and the Cinema (2009) as Self (archive)
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008) as Tira (archive footage)
- Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Cleavage (2002)
- Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful (1996) as Self (archive footage)
- Trailer Camp (1995) as (Archival)
- The Casting Couch (1995)
- Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- Homo Promo (1993) as (Archival)
- Anthony Quinn: An Original (1990) as Self (archive footage)
- Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man (1988) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood Uncensored (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- American Masters (1986) as Self (archive footage)
- Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Sextette (1978) as Marlo Manners
- Sextette (1978) Theatre Play
- Hooray for Hollywood (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- Myra Breckinridge (1970) as Leticia Van Allen
- Hollywood Blue (1970) as (archive footage)
- The Best of Laurel and Hardy (1968) as (archive footage)
- Mister Ed (1961)
- The Strange Case of the Cosmic Rays (1957) as Miss Ultraviolet (voice, archive footage)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- The Heat's On (1943) as Fay Lawrence
- My Little Chickadee (1940) as Flower Belle Lee
- My Little Chickadee (1940) Screenplay
- Every Day's a Holiday (1937) as Peaches O'Day
- Every Day's a Holiday (1937) Screenplay
- Klondike Annie (1936) as Rose Carlton / Annie Alden
- Klondike Annie (1936) Screenplay
- Go West Young Man (1936) as Mavis Arden
- Go West Young Man (1936) Screenplay
- Goin' to Town (1935) as Cleo Borden
- Goin' to Town (1935) Screenplay
- The Fashion Side of Hollywood (1935) as Self
- Belle of the Nineties (1934) as Ruby Carter
- Belle of the Nineties (1934) Writer
- Hollywood on Parade No. B-10 (1934) as Self
- I'm No Angel (1933) as Tira
- I'm No Angel (1933) Dialogue
- I'm No Angel (1933) Screenplay
- I'm No Angel (1933) Story
- She Done Him Wrong (1933) as Lady Lou
- She Done Him Wrong (1933) Writer
- Hollywood on Parade No. B-5 (1933) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Night After Night (1932) as Maudie Triplett
- Night After Night (1932) Additional Dialogue
- Homo Promo as (Archival)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Mae West best known for?
Mae West is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Becoming Cary Grant (2017), Trailer Camp (1995), Intimate Portrait (1993), Hollywood Uncensored (1987).
When and where was Mae West born?
Mae West was born on August 17, 1893 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on November 22, 1980.
How many credits does Mae West have?
Mae West has accumulated over 60 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1932 to 2022.
What is Mae West's background in cinema and television?
Mae West, born Mary Jane West on August 17, 1893, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, comedian, and sex symbol whose career spanned more than seven decades. She was known for her work in vaudeville and on the stage in New York before moving to Holly...
Mae West by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- American Masters (1986) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 92
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 59
- Mister Ed (1961) — aged about 67
- Becoming Cary Grant (2017) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 123
- Hollywood Uncensored (1987) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 93
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 99
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