burleskateer: Lois DeFee   (August 1, 1918 - February 13, 2012) R.I.P. Born in Texas,— both of Lois’ parents died before she reached the age of 8.. She was raised by an Aunt, but eventually ran away to find a showgirl’s career on Broadway, at the young age of 13. She talked her way into a burlesk show travelling to Cuba.. Upon return, she found her way back to NYC, where (due to her impressive physical stature) she worked as a bouncer on 52nd Street. First, at ‘The DIZZY Club’. And later, at ‘LEON & EDDIE’S’.. In 1939, she got a job performing as “Queen Of The Amazons” at the N.Y. Worlds’ Fair. Al Minsky saw her there, and offered her work as a stripper for $400/week.. Though she worked the Burlesque Theatre circuit, her true success occurred in the NYC nightclubs, where her more-demure “parade” -style of stripping played better. She retired from performing in 1959, when she felt the business was “getting too seedy”.. More recently, she appeared in Liz Goldwyn’s 2005 burlesque documentary: “Pretty Things”.. Ms. Defee was 93 years old, when she passed away last Monday..

burleskateer:

Lois DeFee   (August 1, 1918 - February 13, 2012) R.I.P.

Born in Texas,— both of Lois’ parents died before she reached the age of 8.. She was raised by an Aunt, but eventually ran away to find a showgirl’s career on Broadway, at the young age of 13. She talked her way into a burlesk show travelling to Cuba..

Upon return, she found her way back to NYC, where (due to her impressive physical stature) she worked as a bouncer on 52nd Street. First, at ‘The DIZZY Club’. And later, at ‘LEON & EDDIE’S’.. In 1939, she got a job performing as “Queen Of The Amazons” at the N.Y. Worlds’ Fair. Al Minsky saw her there, and offered her work as a stripper for $400/week..

Though she worked the Burlesque Theatre circuit, her true success occurred in the NYC nightclubs, where her more-demure “parade” -style of stripping played better. She retired from performing in 1959, when she felt the business was “getting too seedy”..

More recently, she appeared in Liz Goldwyn’s 2005 burlesque documentary: “Pretty Things”.. Ms. Defee was 93 years old, when she passed away last Monday..