Legend: Gypsy Rose Lee

Gypsy Rose Lee: Featured Legend of Red Hots Burlesque

This week we celebrate!

GYPSY ROSE LEE
b. January 9, 1911

Shrugged off by her own mother at an early age as untalented, Gypsy Rose Lee has left a legacy as one of the world’s most famous and approachable burlesque stars. Her career is said to have started from a wardrobe malfunction, when the clasp on her shoulder strap gave way and Lee’s dress slipped to the floor. She heard the crowd’s reaction despite her efforts to save the dress and never looked back. Lee eschewed bumps and grinds in favor of banter and sassy wit on stage.
This playwright, author and actress’s memoir was the basis for one of the most famous musicals of all time, Gypsy. “Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly,” this pioneer of striptease has been famously quoted.