Dorothy Dean facts for kids

Dorothy Dean (born December 22, 1932 – died February 13, 1987) was an African American socialite. She was well-known for her connections to Andy Warhol's famous art studio, called The Factory. She appeared in several of Warhol's films, including Batman Dracula (1964), Space (1965), My ... (1965), Afternoon (1965), and Chelsea Girls (1966). Dorothy Dean also worked at Max's Kansas City, a popular nightclub, where she was the door person. She was also featured in the documentary film Superartist (1967), which was about Andy Warhol and his movies.

About Dorothy Dean

Dorothy Dean was born in White Plains, New York, on December 22, 1932. She was a very smart student. She graduated from Radcliffe and earned a master's degree in art from Harvard.

While living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dorothy was known for her unique and strong personality. She chose friends who shared her interests and ideas. She was loved for her lively and expressive way of speaking. People especially enjoyed her playful words and the clever nicknames she created. For example, she called Andy Warhol "Drella," which was a mix of Dracula and Cinderella. She also nicknamed the famous writer James Baldwin "Martin Luther Queen."

Dorothy Dean did not work full-time very often. She had short jobs as an editor and proofreader for well-known magazines like The New Yorker and Vogue.

Her Later Life and Legacy

Dorothy Dean passed away from cancer in Boulder, Colorado, on February 13, 1987.

She is remembered in the book The Women, written by Hilton Als in 1996. This book features Dorothy Dean as one of its main subjects.