Mae West is photographed during the early days of her stage and movie career. In 1907, at only 14-years-old, West was a vaudeville performer and at 18-years-old she made her Broadway debut as a singer and dancer. In 1926, she began to write, produce and star in her own plays on Broadway. West moved to Hollywood in 1932 and starred in movies, including “She Done Him Wrong” (1933), with the character Lady Lou based on the bawdy character from her famous play “Diamond Lil,” which opened on Apr. 9, 1928, in New York.
Legendary actress, playwright and comedian Mary Jane 'Mae' West, born in Brooklyn on Aug. 17, 1893, was known throughout her 70-year-career for her witty sexuality and saying things like, 'Between two evils, I always choose the one I've never tried before.' West was indomitably herself until her death on Nov. 22, 1980, in Hollywood from stroke-related complications. She was 87. Take a look back at her incredible life and career.
Mae West is photographed during the early days of her stage and movie career. In 1907, at only 14-years-old, West was a vaudeville performer and at 18-years-old she made her Broadway debut as a singer and dancer. In 1926, she began to write, produce and star in her own plays on Broadway. West moved to Hollywood in 1932 and starred in movies, including “She Done Him Wrong” (1933), with the character Lady Lou based on the bawdy character from her famous play “Diamond Lil,” which opened on Apr. 9, 1928, in New York.
A grand jury indicted Mae West on March 2, 1927, in New York with presenting “indecent performance” in her play “Sex.” Two corporations and twenty-three other individuals, including producers and other cast members, are also indicted.
Mae West says goodbye to prison warden Harry Schleth after leaving Welfare Island (Roosevelt Island) on April 29, 1927, in New York after serving a 10-day sentence for writing, directing and performing in the play “Sex,” the vehicle that launched her into stardom. Her pen name as a playwright is Jane Mast.
Mae West, right, is kissed by her mother with Mae’s sister at left.
Mae West leaves West 47th St. police station on Oct. 1, 1928, in New York. West was arrested with the entire cast of “Pleasure Man” after the premiere. Skirted male actors fainted as they were led away.
Mae West, right, leaves the court in October 1928, with her attorney, Nathan Burkan. West is in the midst of a court battle to keep her play, “Pleasure Man,” open. The play, described by police officials and veteran stage followers as “the rawest thing ever seen in New York,” nevertheless did a land-office business on October 2, 1928, under the court’s protection.
Oct. 4, 1928: Raid Mae West Show Again — Mae West’s “Pleasure Man” at the Biltmore Theatre is cut short yesterday by a second police raid.
Mae West and her cast leave the Criminal Court Building on Oct. 11, 1928, in New York.
Mae West visits The News in 1933, to see how items get in the newspapers.
Actress and playwright Mae West poses in 1935 at an unknown location.
Mae West is in character with her co-stars Charles Butterworth, left, and Charles Winninger as they sip champagne in a movie scene in 1937, from “Every Day’s A Holiday” in Hollywood.
Mae West arrives in Manhattan in April 1938.
Mae West in the Station Master’s office in April 1938, in New York.
Mae West is at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel in April 1938, in New York.
Mae West is with Detective Edward, left, and Jack Christ, in April 1938, in New York, both assigned to protect her. West is a state’s witness against thieves who robbed her of her diamonds.
Film and stage star Mae West was among the 15,737 at Madison Square Garden on hand to see “Sugar” Ray Robinson pound his way to the 126-lb. title on March 14, 1939, in the Tournament of Champions.
Mae West is photographed on June 26, 1943.
Mae West, who learned to toss a curve without even going to the minors, says “so long” to the boys as she boards the Queen Mary in September 1947, in New York. She’ll play “Diamond Lil” in London.
Mae West arrives in Southampton, England on Sept. 17, 1947, from New York aboard the Queen Mary to star in her play “Diamond Lil,” her first London stage play.
Mae West is with producer Bill Mollison at a London casino going over the score for her play, “Diamond Lil,” on Sept. 18, 1947, while selecting members for the cast. She is surrounded by young women hoping to obtain a part in her play.
Mae West tells Max Suderov, right, that the $150,000 sparkler given to her by Irving Friedman, left, is just what she needs on Dec. 23, 1948, in New York.
Mae West dines in the Raleigh Room of the Warwick Hotel in New York, with her current leading man, Steve Cochran, in December 1948. They’re performing in a revival of “Diamond Lil.”
Just before curtain call, Mae West puts on the “prop” diamonds which she wears in “Diamond Lil,” in her dressing room at the Plymouth Theatre on Dec. 15, 1949, in New York. The props are given a value of $2,000.
Mae West is on the phone in her Hollywood apartment boudoir on Dec. 7, 1954, a few days before opening at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.
Mae West wears a black sequin outfit and carries an ermine stole in 1954.
Rock Hudson and Mae West rehearse their musical number “Baby It’s Cold Outside” on March 25, 1958, for the upcoming Academy Awards show in Los Angeles.
Mae West visits the set of Universal’s big-scale movie “Midway” on August 28, 1975, in Los Angeles, and autographs a life-jacket affectionately known as a “Mae West” by sailors and flyers in World War II, worn by actor Kevin Dobson.
Mae West, 83, appears as Marlo Manners with her co-star, Timothy Dalton, in a scene from the movie “Sextette,” under production in Los Angeles, in January 1977.
