5) Sally Rand:
Known for her infamous fan dance and balloon bubble dance, this artist was one of the most talented and regal performers on the scene. The blonde beauty defined precision and glamour, quickly becoming one
of the biggest names in the business. She died in 1979 at the age of 75.
of the biggest names in the business. She died in 1979 at the age of 75.
4) Gypsy Rose Lee:
Movies and musicals have been written about this iconic figure’s life. Everyone from Bette Midler to Angela Lansbury have paid tribute to her stunning career. But Lee will always be remembered as the “intellectual stripper” – a woman who took it off while reciting poetry and whatever else she happened to be reading at the time. Not only was it funny and enticing, but it was also innovative for the time and something that hasn’t really been seen since.
3) Jennie Lee:
An incredible bust line that seemed to defy the laws of nature cemented this curvy blonde’s status as a sex symbol for the ages. Lee worked burlesque stages all across the U.S., Canada, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Manila for over 30 years. Swinging her tassels like nobody’s business was her signature, but she remained one of the classiest ladies in show business. “I had a natural rhythm and a nonchalant way of working – a smile and a little bounce,” she said to Jane Briggeman. “I was always sexy, but never vulgar.”
2) Lili St. Cyr:
Those eyes. Those lips. Those fabulous legs. Lili St. Cyr was an actress and burlesque performer like no other. St. Cyr started her professional career as a chorus line dancer at the Florentine Gardens, in Hollywood. Two years later, her stripping debut was at the Music Box, in an Ivan Fehnova production. The producer had not even seen her perform—her striking looks were what won him over. The act was a disaster. Instead of firing her, Fehnova reconsidered and put together a new act. At the end of the dance, a stagehand would pull a fishing rod attached to St. Cyr's G-string. It would fly into the balcony and the lights would go dim. This famous act was known as "The Flying G", and such creative shows would be St. Cyr's trademark. Over the ensuing years and in a variety of different venues, many of St. Cyr's acts were memorable, with names like "The Wolf Woman", "Afternoon of a Faun", "The Ballet Dancer", "In a Persian Harem", "The Chinese Virgin",as well as "Suicide." After 49 years of dancing she died January 29, 1999 in Los Angeles under her birth name, "Willis Marie VanSchaack".
1) Dixie Evans:
Dubbed “The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque” by Harold Minsky, Evans made her
mark on the striptease circuit parodying the Hollywood icon until Monroe’s death
in 1962. The 82-year-old Las Vegas resident is still as active and zany as she
was in her heyday, working with such notable photographers as David LaChappelle
and hobnobbing with current burlesque queen, Dita Von Teese.
mark on the striptease circuit parodying the Hollywood icon until Monroe’s death
in 1962. The 82-year-old Las Vegas resident is still as active and zany as she
was in her heyday, working with such notable photographers as David LaChappelle
and hobnobbing with current burlesque queen, Dita Von Teese.