Lea DeLaria Biography

Fast Facts

• For her work in theater, she has won an Obie award, a Drama Desk award, a Theater World award, and a Fanny award
• Gained notoriety when she became the first openly gay comic to perform on late-night TV, as she did on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1993
• As a child, she would sometimes visit her father's jazz trio when they performed at late-night clubs of St․ Louis, and from 8 years of age until reaching puberty, she would sing standards on stage with them
• Quote: "Generally when I get hired to do film or TV, it’s because they want me to ad lib and be funny, so when I’m on the set it’s been cool․ Most often they’ve written the part for me, and know if I’ve got something to say, I’ll say it․ I feel it even more on independent films․"
• Quote: "(On her 2008 album "The Live Smoke Sessions) "I styled this CD on the old school live recordings ․․․ It is my hope that this CD will take you back to 1948 and the Village Vanguard․""
• Quote: "I feel like jazz is the one true art form in America, and I see it disappearing․ So I want to give it to kids before they hear it’s not cool․"
• Gained further notoriety in the LGBT community by hosting Comedy Central's "Out There," known for being the first all-gay stand-up comedy special on TV
• A multi-talented artist, she has received claim for her stand-up comedy, jazz albums, TV and film acting, and Broadway performaces
• Her debut jazz record, "Play it Cool," was called the "Best Jazz Album of 2001" by the New York Times, and featured as "Album of the Year" by the London Times