Lea DeLaria (born May 23, 1958) is an American comedian, actress, and jazz musician. The "famously controversial" DeLaria was "the first openly gay comic to break the late-night talk-show barrier" with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show.DeLaria has performed stand-up comedy for over 25 years and is a prominent figure in the world of LGBT comedy. She began her career billing herself as "That Fucking Dyke"; she states "I called myself that because I would walk down the street and people would yell (it) at me. But after two years of performing I would walk down the street and people would yell (it) at me and I wouldn't know if they were a fan or not!"
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Obie Award for Performance
Nominations
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Movies
Bear with Us, The Same Difference, Dear Dumb Diary, Ass Backwards, Edge of Seventeen, Homo Heights, Outlaugh: The Best of Queer Comedy, Fat Rose and Squeaky
TV Shows
The Oblongs, Orange Is the New Black
Star Sign
Gemini
#
Quote
1
I was basically disowned by my Italian Catholic parents when I came out. They didn't speak to me for five years. Over a course of time however - mostly through my rubbing their faces in it - they came around to a place of peace with who I am.
2
[on whose musical style she was most influenced] John Coltrane. He spent a lifetime trying to sound unique and to have his own style. As a jazz musician I find it very important to find my own style - which is why it's very interesting that whenever reviewers review me, they compare me to a laundry list of other singers. We're talking everyone from Bjork to Ethel Merman..The reality is, I sound like me. I'm just able to sing in a variety of styles. And that's how I try to find my own.
3
My idea as far as comedy goes has always been able to push the limits of what's acceptable for a woman to do or say or be. My hero in that would be Lenny Bruce, who teaches us that words have no meaning. It's the intent behind them is that is what's important.
4
As a standup, I tried to change the world. As an entertainer, I try to entertain. And as a lesbian, I try to pick up the prettiest girl in the room. Not necessarily in that order.
5
It's a cosmic joke that I'm a lesbian because I understand men so completely and women are a total mystery to me. ... Women are the most confusing, annoying people in the world.
#
Fact
1
Famously controversial for her irreverent commentary, DeLaria was the first openly gay comic to break the late-night talk-show barrier with her 1993 appearance on "The Arsenio Hall Show".
2
She attended kindergarten through 8th grade at St Mary's Elementary School in Belleville, and has referenced her Catholic upbringing in her performances.
3
In December 1993 she hosted Comedy Central's Out There, the first all-gay stand-up comedy special.
4
Performed as Jane in the 1998 Off Broadway production of Paul Rudnick's "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told," a gay retelling of the Bible.
5
DeLaria released two CD recordings of her comedy, Bulldyke in a China Shop (1994) and Box Lunch (1997). She has also written a humorous book entitled Lea's Book of Rules for the World.
6
Daughter of Italian Robert (a social worker and jazz pianist) and Jerry (a homemaker) DeLaria.
7
An outspoken actress, director, singer, comedian, and writer, she began singing in jazz clubs as a teenager before extending herself successfully into stand-up comedy in the early 1980s.
8
Made her recording Warner Bros. debut in 2000. Hailed by the Times as "the Best Jazz Album of 2001". Her second album, Double Standards, received rave reviews in the UK and US press.
9
Was seen on Broadway in "On The Town", from which she sang the song "I Can Cook, Too" on the Broadway Leading Ladies show.
10
Seen in the 2000 Broadway revival of "The Rocky Horror Show" as two male characters, Eddie / Dr. Scott.
$1.5 Million
