"Mae West broke every rule Hollywood tried to give her. Born in Brooklyn in 1893 she rose from vaudeville stages to become one of the most daring stars of the 1930s. With her sharp humor and sultry confidence she redefined how women spoke and lived on screen. Films like She Done Him Wrong and I’m No Angel made her an icon of independence. Even when censored Mae never bowed down she smiled and said when I’m good I’m very good but when I’m bad I’m better." | Empire Archives

Brooklyn born, Mae West was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned over seven decades. Considered a sex symbol, she was known for her breezy sexual independence and her lighthearted bawdy double entendres, often delivered in a husky contralto voice. She was originally active in vaudeville and on stage in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to begin a career in the film industry. She was one of the most controversial movie stars of her day;

Remembering Mae West: A Woman Who Dared Before Anyone Else Did Born on August 17, 1893, Mae West would be 132 years old today. Though she passed away in 1980 at the age of 87, her influence remains unforgettable: bold, brassy, and decades ahead of her time. Mae wasn’t just a sex symbol. She was a cultural disruptor. At a time when women were expected to be quiet and demure, Mae strutted onto stage and screen with one-liners that scorched the patriarchy and flirted with taboos. She didn’t just pu

60 Most Inspiring Mae West Quotes

Some of Mae West’s most iconic movie quotes | Cult Cinema Classics