Mae West (1893–1980) was an American actress and writer celebrated as a sex symbol, known for her frank sensuality, languid posture, and witty humor. She often portrayed women of questionable virtue with a lighthearted attitude. West debuted in theater around 1901 and, by 1907, was a performer on the vaudeville circuit. Her Broadway debut came in 1911 as a singer and dancer. In 1926, she began writing, producing, and starring in her own Broadway plays, such as Sex (1926), which led to a brief jail sentence. Her other successful plays include Diamond Lil (1928) and The Constant Sinner (1931). In 1932, West moved to Hollywood, where she starred in Night After Night (1932). She also wrote and co-starred in I’m No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936).

What kinds of movies and plays did Mae West star in?

Mae West was known for her Broadway plays and Hollywood films, often writing and starring in them. West wrote, produced, and starred in her own Broadway plays, including Sex (1926), Diamond Lil (1928), and The Constant Sinner (1931). After moving to Hollywood in 1932, she starred in Night After Night (1932). Her other films include She Done Him Wrong (1933), adapted from her play Diamond Lil , I'm No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936). She also co-starred with W.C. Fields in My Little Chickadee (1940). Later in life, she appeared in Myra Breckinridge (1970) and Sextette (1978), which was based on her play.

Why was Mae West known for her sense of humor and wit?

Mae West was known for her frank sensuality, relaxed posture, and blasé wisecracking, which became her trademarks. She often played women of dubious virtue with flippant good humor. West had an ironic, languorous personality and could ridicule social attitudes, especially toward sex. Her lighthearted approach was characteristic of her films. In She Done Him Wrong (1933), her amusing delivery charged lines such as, "Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?" with suggestive implications. Allied soldiers during World War II called their inflatable life jackets "Mae Wests" in honor of her hourglass figure.

What were some important works written by Mae West?

Mae West was an American actress and writer known for her persona of flippant good humor and frank sensuality. West wrote and starred in several successful plays, including Sex (1926), Diamond Lil (1928), and The Constant Sinner (1931). Her move to Hollywood in 1932 led to writing and co-starring in films such as I'm No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936). Additionally, she wrote the script for My Little Chickadee (1940) with W.C. Fields. West also wrote the play upon which her film Sextette (1978) was based, as well as her autobiography Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It (1959).

How did Mae West challenge social rules and norms of her time?

Mae West challenged social rules and norms through her frank sensuality and ability to ridicule social attitudes, especially toward sex. In her play Sex (1926), West's performance as a prostitute created a sensation but also earned her an eight-day jail sentence for "corrupting the morals of youth". Her liberated view of female sexuality, evident in her films and plays, contributed to the establishment and enforcement of the Hays Production Code , which set guidelines for industry censorship. Despite facing censorship and criticism, West's ironic and languorous personality, combined with her suggestive remarks, made her a sex symbol who flouted societal expectations.

What impact did Mae West have on American entertainment and culture?

Mae West, born August 17, 1893, was an American actress and writer who significantly impacted American entertainment and culture. West debuted in theater around 1901 and, by 1907, toured the vaudeville circuit. In 1926, she began writing and starring in her own Broadway plays, such as Sex , which led to her arrest for "corrupting the morals of youth" and made her a national figure. Moving to Hollywood in 1932, West starred in She Done Him Wrong (1933), which was based on her play Diamond Lil . Her character's frank sensuality and witty humor challenged social attitudes toward sex, though it also contributed to the stricter enforcement of the Hays Production Code for industry censorship. During World War II, her cultural impact was further cemented when Allied soldiers named inflatable life jackets "Mae Wests" in honor of her hourglass figure.

Mae West

Introduction Quotes References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Mae West as Sister Annie Alden in Klondike Annie wears a large purple feathered hat and matching dress, with blonde curls and chandelier earrings, against a blue curtain backdrop.

Mae West poses in glamorous attire with wavy blonde hair, elaborate jewelry, and a confident expression in a publicity still from the 1933 film She Done Him Wrong.

Event notice for the Dill Pickle Club listing performances and talks by Mae West, Hypolyte Havel, and Ralph Chaplin on topics including free love, anarchy, and obscenity.

Mae West, standing in a sequined gown, looks down at George Raft, who is seated in a suit, in a scene from Night After Night (1932).

Cary Grant as Captain Cummings leans on a table, speaking to Mae West as Lady Lou, who is seated in an ornate room in the film She Done Him Wrong.

Mae West seated and looking forward while Cary Grant stands behind her, gently holding a fur stole, in a glamorous setting from the film I'm No Angel (1933).

Quick Facts

Original name:: Mary Jane West

Born:: August 17, 1893, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

Died:: November 22, 1980, Los Angeles, California (aged 87)

Notable Works:: “Belle of the Nineties”; “Diamond Lil”; “Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It”; “I’m No Angel”; “Klondike Annie”; “My Little Chickadee”; “Sex”; “Sextette”

Married To:: Guido Deiro (1914–1920); Frank Wallace (1911–1942)

Mae West

American actress

Also known as: Mary Jane West

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 9, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who was Mae West?
Mae West (1893–1980) was an American actress and writer celebrated as a sex symbol, known for her frank sensuality, languid posture, and witty humor. She often portrayed women of questionable virtue with a lighthearted attitude.

West debuted in theater around 1901 and, by 1907, was a performer on the vaudeville circuit. Her Broadway debut came in 1911 as a singer and dancer. In 1926, she began writing, producing, and starring in her own Broadway plays, such as Sex (1926), which led to a brief jail sentence. Her other successful plays include Diamond Lil (1928) and The Constant Sinner (1931).

In 1932, West moved to Hollywood, where she starred in Night After Night (1932). She also wrote and co-starred in I’m No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936).
2 Britannica Sources
1. Mae West
2. Mae West: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What kinds of movies and plays did Mae West star in?
Mae West was known for her Broadway plays and Hollywood films, often writing and starring in them.

West wrote, produced, and starred in her own Broadway plays, including Sex (1926), Diamond Lil (1928), and The Constant Sinner (1931).

After moving to Hollywood in 1932, she starred in Night After Night (1932). Her other films include She Done Him Wrong (1933), adapted from her play Diamond Lil, I'm No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936). She also co-starred with W.C. Fields in My Little Chickadee (1940). Later in life, she appeared in Myra Breckinridge (1970) and Sextette (1978), which was based on her play.
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Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why was Mae West known for her sense of humor and wit?
Mae West was known for her frank sensuality, relaxed posture, and blasé wisecracking, which became her trademarks. She often played women of dubious virtue with flippant good humor.

West had an ironic, languorous personality and could ridicule social attitudes, especially toward sex. Her lighthearted approach was characteristic of her films. In She Done Him Wrong (1933), her amusing delivery charged lines such as, "Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?" with suggestive implications. Allied soldiers during World War II called their inflatable life jackets "Mae Wests" in honor of her hourglass figure.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Mae West
2. Mae West: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What were some important works written by Mae West?
Mae West was an American actress and writer known for her persona of flippant good humor and frank sensuality.

West wrote and starred in several successful plays, including Sex (1926), Diamond Lil (1928), and The Constant Sinner (1931). Her move to Hollywood in 1932 led to writing and co-starring in films such as I'm No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936). Additionally, she wrote the script for My Little Chickadee (1940) with W.C. Fields. West also wrote the play upon which her film Sextette (1978) was based, as well as her autobiography Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It (1959).
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Mae West challenge social rules and norms of her time?
Mae West challenged social rules and norms through her frank sensuality and ability to ridicule social attitudes, especially toward sex. In her play Sex (1926), West's performance as a prostitute created a sensation but also earned her an eight-day jail sentence for "corrupting the morals of youth". Her liberated view of female sexuality, evident in her films and plays, contributed to the establishment and enforcement of the Hays Production Code, which set guidelines for industry censorship. Despite facing censorship and criticism, West's ironic and languorous personality, combined with her suggestive remarks, made her a sex symbol who flouted societal expectations.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What impact did Mae West have on American entertainment and culture?
Mae West, born August 17, 1893, was an American actress and writer who significantly impacted American entertainment and culture. West debuted in theater around 1901 and, by 1907, toured the vaudeville circuit. In 1926, she began writing and starring in her own Broadway plays, such as Sex, which led to her arrest for "corrupting the morals of youth" and made her a national figure.

Moving to Hollywood in 1932, West starred in She Done Him Wrong (1933), which was based on her play Diamond Lil. Her character's frank sensuality and witty humor challenged social attitudes toward sex, though it also contributed to the stricter enforcement of the Hays Production Code for industry censorship. During World War II, her cultural impact was further cemented when Allied soldiers named inflatable life jackets "Mae Wests" in honor of her hourglass figure.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Mae West (born August 17, 1893, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.—died November 22, 1980, Los Angeles, California) was an American stage and film actress, a sex symbol whose frank sensuality, languid postures, and blasé wisecracking became her trademarks. She usually portrayed women who accepted their lives of dubious virtue with flippant good humour.

West made her debut with a Brooklyn stock company about 1901, and by 1907 she had become a performer on the national vaudeville circuit in partnership with Frank Wallace. She made her Broadway debut as a singer and acrobatic dancer in the revue A la Broadway in 1911. For the next 15 years she alternated between vaudeville and Broadway shows, and she did an occasional nightclub act.

In 1926 West began to write, produce, and star in her own plays on Broadway. In the first of these, Sex (1926), her performance as a prostitute created a sensation but also earned her an eight-day jail sentence for “corrupting the morals of youth,” from which she emerged a national figure. Her plays Diamond Lil (1928) and The Constant Sinner (1931) were also successful. For all the variety of the scripts she wrote, the constant factor was West’s own ironic, languorous personality and her ability to ridicule social attitudes, especially toward sex.

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North by Northwest (1959) Actor Cary Grant, left, as Roger O. Thornhill and actress Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall atop Mount Rushmore during the climactic scene in the film directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock. movie

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West, MaeMae West posing for a photograph to promote *My Little Chickadee* (1940).

In 1932 West moved to Hollywood. Her first film there, Night After Night (1932), showed the lighthearted approach that was characteristic of her subsequent pictures. She Done Him Wrong (1933), a screen adaptation of Diamond Lil, is memorable for her amusing ability to charge such lines as “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?” with suggestive implications. West then wrote and costarred in I’m No Angel (1933), Belle of the Nineties (1934), and Klondike Annie (1936), which brought her popularity to its height. After two more films, she starred with W.C. Fields in the comic western My Little Chickadee (1940), whose script she wrote with him. During World War II, Allied soldiers called their inflatable life jackets “Mae Wests” in honour of her hourglass figure. In the 1940s and ’50s she sometimes appeared onstage surrounded by young musclemen, including on Broadway in Catherine Was Great (1944).

Her films were revived in the 1960s, and she appeared in Myra Breckinridge (1970), an adaptation of a novel by Gore Vidal, and Sextette (1978), based on a play that she wrote. The title of her autobiography, Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It (1959), captured her style precisely—it was a retort one of her characters made to the exclamation “Goodness, what beautiful diamonds!”

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Mae West

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