Person biography:
Gypsy Rose Lee was born Rose Louise Hovick in Seattle, Washington, in 1911. She was the daughter of a mild-mannered businessman and a restless, fiery young woman named Rose, who was determined to get out of Seattle and make a life for herself and her daughter in show business. Rose had another child, June, and the two sisters began performing in vaudeville at a young age.
As a child, Gypsy Rose Lee was put in the chorus of her sister June's act, Baby June and Her Farmboys, while June was the star. The act was very successful, but the family struggled financially and had to scrimp and save to make ends meet. There were rumors about Rose's behavior during this time, including allegations that she had to dodge the police and may have murdered a man who was pestering her children.
In the 1930s, Gypsy Rose Lee began to establish herself as a burlesque performer, incorporating humor and intelligence into her act. She became extremely popular and even appeared at high society balls. She also tried her hand at film, making her debut in Ali Baba Goes to Town in 1937. However, her film career was not successful and she eventually returned to burlesque.
Gypsy Rose Lee was known for her intelligence, wit, and humor, and was a beloved figure in the world of burlesque. She was also a prolific writer and published her memoirs, "Gypsy," in 1957. The book was an immediate bestseller and was later adapted into the successful Broadway musical "Gypsy."
