She was born on August 17, 1893 in Brooklyn, New York and started performing at the age of five.
Mae West went on to a brilliant career on stage, in film, and as a director and writer.
Paramount Pictures film director, George Raft, reflecting on West's brilliant approach to her scenes, remarked
"She stole everything but the cameras."
Mae Wests's approach to love and marriage was as unconventional and brazen as her approach to life. During a brief marriage to fellow Vaudevillion Frank Wallace, she took the upper hand in the relationship, although she was only 17. Insisting on separate quarters during their short time together, West soon grew weary of Wallace and sent him off on a show of his own simply to rid herself of him.
Two years later she was in a stormy and passionate relationship with another Vaudeville headliner, Italian born Guido Diero. The two became engaged.Biographers of both still argue over whether the engagement resulted in marriage, but Mae made her own vies quite clear by stating;
"Marriage is a great institution. I'm not ready fo an institution yet."
West also had a romance with boxing champion, William Jones. When the management of her apartment building prohibited the African-American boxer from visiting, Mae solved the problem by buying the building and lifting the ban.
At the age of 61 Ms. west became romantically involved with former Mr. California, Paul Novak. He moved in and was with her up until her death at the age of 87. Novak once commented that he
"was put on this Earth to care for Mae West."
Not a bad gig:)
So....here's to one 'kick-ass babe'...Mae West, who reminds us to breathe and not take life too seriosuly. After all....
"It's better to be looked over than overlooked."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_West#Personal_life
