# Mae West

> American actress, singer, screenwriter, and writer (1893–1980)

**Wikidata**: [Q202878](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202878)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_West)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mae-west

## Summary
Mae West was an American actress, singer, screenwriter, and writer born in 1893. Active in the entertainment industry from 1907 to 1979, she was also a playwright, comedian, and autobiographer known for her work across stage, film, and television. She is recognized for receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and inspiring cultural works like Salvador Dalí's "Mae West Lips Sofa."

## Biography
- **Born**: August 17, 1893
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: [Not available in source]
- **Known for**: Work as an actress, singer, screenwriter, playwright, comedian, and autobiographer across stage, film, and television
- **Employer(s)**: Decca (record label)
- **Field(s)**: Entertainment, film, television, theatre, music, literature

## Contributions
Mae West contributed to the entertainment industry through a multifaceted career spanning seven decades. As a playwright, she wrote plays; as a screenwriter, she wrote for films; and as a writer, she produced literary works. She also served as an autobiographer, documenting her own life. Her performance work included roles as a film actor, stage actor, television actor, singer, and comedian. Her persona inspired the creation of the "Mae West Lips Sofa" by Salvador Dalí in 1938. Additionally, she is the namesake of the "Mae West," a hyperboloid structure in Munich, Germany, completed in 2011.

## FAQs
**What were Mae West's primary occupations?**
Mae West worked as an actress, singer, screenwriter, writer, playwright, comedian, stage actor, television actor, and autobiographer.

**When was Mae West active in her career?**
Her work period began in 1907 and ended in 1979. She was born on August 17, 1893, and died on November 22, 1980.

**What record label was Mae West associated with?**
She was associated with Decca, a British record label founded in 1929.

**What awards did Mae West receive?**
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located in Hollywood, California, United States.

**What cultural objects are named after Mae West?**
The "Mae West Lips Sofa," designed by Salvador Dalí in 1938, and the "Mae West," a hyperboloid structure in Munich, Germany, completed in 2011.

**Who are some notable figures associated with Mae West?**
Key figures associated with her include American singer Madonna, French singer and actress Amanda Lear, and French actress and singer Caroline Loeb.

## Why They Matter
Mae West matters as a versatile American entertainer whose career spanned the first half of the 20th century, bridging vaudeville, stage, film, and television. Her ability to succeed as both a performer (actor, singer, comedian) and a creator (playwright, screenwriter, autobiographer) highlights her significant influence on the entertainment landscape. Her cultural impact extended beyond performance into visual arts and architecture, inspiring Salvador Dalí's surrealist furniture and serving as the namesake for a modern architectural structure. Her recognition with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her association with the major record label Decca underscore her commercial success. Furthermore, her connection to subsequent icons like Madonna, Amanda Lear, and Caroline Loeb suggests a lasting legacy in the performance arts.

## Notable For
- **Career Longevity**: Active professional period from 1907 to 1979.
- **Multifaceted Talent**: Held occupations as a film actor, stage actor, television actor, singer, comedian, playwright, screenwriter, writer, and autobiographer.
- **Artistic Inspiration**: Subject of the "Mae West Lips Sofa" designed by Salvador Dalí in 1938.
- **Architectural Namesake**: The "Mae West" hyperboloid structure in Munich, Germany, completed in 2011.
- **Music Industry Association**: Connected to the British record label Decca.
- **Hollywood Recognition**: Recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Mary Jane West, Mary West, and Jane Mast.
- **Key Associations**: Linked to notable figures such as Madonna, Amanda Lear, and Caroline Loeb.

## Body
### Identity and Personal Details
Mae West was born on August 17, 1893, and died on November 22, 1980. She was a citizen of the United States. Throughout her life and career, she was known by several aliases, including Mary Jane West, Mary West, and Jane Mast.

### Professional Career
West's professional work period spanned from 1907 to 1979. She was a comprehensive entertainer, engaging in various performance disciplines. As a film actor, she appeared in motion pictures. As a stage actor, she performed live before in-person audiences. As a television actor, she performed on television. She also worked specifically as a comedian, seeking to entertain audiences primarily by making them laugh, and as a singer, performing for a listening audience.

### Writing and Creative Work
In addition to her performance work, West was a significant creative force in writing. She served as a playwright, writing plays for the theatre. She was a screenwriter, writing content for films. As a writer, she used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. She was also an autobiographer, having written her own autobiography.

### Music and Recordings
West was associated with the record label Decca. Decca is a British record label founded in 1929, known for its significant contributions to the music industry and the marketing of music recordings.

### Awards and Recognition
West received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This award is located in Hollywood, California, within the United States.

### Cultural Legacy and Namesakes
West's image and persona had a lasting impact on art and architecture. In 1938, Salvador Dalí designed the "Mae West Lips Sofa," a sofa inspired by her lips. In 2011, a hyperboloid structure named "Mae West" was completed in Munich, Germany.

### Associated Figures
Within the context of the entertainment industry and her career, West is connected to other notable figures. These include Madonna (American singer, songwriter, and actress), Amanda Lear (French singer, actress, and television presenter), and Caroline Loeb (French actress and singer).

## References

1. Find a Grave
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. datos.bne.es
5. [HOLLIS](https://id.lib.harvard.edu/alma/99156828457803941/catalog)
6. American Women Writers
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. MusicBrainz
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. Mae West. Integrated Authority File
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Internet Broadway Database
15. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
16. GeneaStar
17. Roglo
18. Croatian Encyclopedia
19. Munzinger Personen
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
22. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12999775v)
23. BBC Things
24. Quora
25. The Movie Database
26. [LIBRIS. 2005](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/jgvx19q23xndb47)
27. FactGrid
28. performing-arts.ch