Lea DeLaria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lea DeLaria
DeLaria in 2017
Born	(1958-05-23) May 23, 1958 (age 67) Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Comedian actress jazz singer
Years active	1982–present

Lea DeLaria (born May 23, 1958) is an American comedian, actress, and jazz singer. She is well-known for her role as Carrie "Big Boo" Black in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. This show was popular from 2013 to 2019. Lea DeLaria also performed in the 2000 Broadway show The Rocky Horror Show. She was a groundbreaking comedian, being the first comic to appear on American television in a 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show while being open about her identity.

Early Life and Beginnings

Lea DeLaria was born on May 23, 1958, in Belleville, Illinois. Her mother, Jerry Jean, was a homemaker. Her father, Robert George DeLaria, was a jazz pianist and social worker. Lea's grandparents on her father's side were from Italy.

She went to St. Mary's Elementary School in Belleville from kindergarten through eighth grade. She has sometimes talked about her Catholic upbringing in her comedy shows.

A Career in Comedy and Acting

Lea DeLaria started her stand-up comedy career in 1982. She moved to San Francisco and began performing in the Mission District. She was known for her bold and funny style of comedy.

Uzo Aduba, Dascha Polanco, Samira Wiley, Lea DeLaria and Alysia Reiner from Orange Is the New Black in 2015

In 1986, DeLaria directed a musical show called "Ten Percent Revue." This show celebrated different cultures and was performed in many cities. It was very popular and often sold out. From 1987 to 1989, she starred in "Dos Lesbos," a musical comedy that received great reviews.

In 1989, DeLaria created, wrote, directed, and starred in "Girl Friday: We're Funny That Way." This musical comedy won an award for Best Comedy Group.

Breaking Barriers on TV

When Lea DeLaria appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993, it was a big moment. She was the first openly identifying comedian to be on a late-night talk show. This helped open doors for other performers.

Later in 1993, DeLaria hosted Comedy Central's Out There. This was the first stand-up comedy special to feature only comedians who were open about their identities.

Lea DeLaria has released two comedy albums: Bulldyke in a China Shop (1994) and Box Lunch (1997). She also wrote a funny book called Lea's Book of Rules for the World.

Broadway and Film Roles

In 1998, DeLaria appeared in an Off Broadway play called The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. She also had a "showstopping" performance in the 1998 Broadway revival of On the Town. Critics said "a star is born with Lea DeLaria" after her performance.

She later played Eddie and Dr. Scott in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show. You can hear her on the show's official music recording. DeLaria has also acted in several films, including Edge of Seventeen and The First Wives Club.

Jazz Music and Voice Acting

Lea DeLaria often includes music in her comedy shows. She focuses on traditional and modern be-bop jazz. In 2001, she released a CD of jazz songs called Play It Cool. She followed this with Double Standards in 2003 and The Very Best of Lea DeLaria in 2008.

In 2001, DeLaria was the voice of Helga Phugly in the animated TV show The Oblongs. She also had a recurring role as Madame Delphina on the soap opera One Life to Live from 1999 to 2011.

In 2008, she released The Live Smoke Sessions, another jazz album. She wanted this album to sound like old live recordings from the 1940s.

Lea DeLaria has toured Australia and often performs with comedian Maggie Cassella. They have an annual Christmas cabaret show in Toronto. In 2010, her version of "All That Jazz" was used on So You Think You Can Dance.

Orange Is the New Black and Beyond

From 2013 to 2019, Lea DeLaria was a main character in the Netflix Original series Orange Is the New Black. She played the prison inmate Carrie 'Big Boo' Black. This role made her very well-known.

In 2014, DeLaria voiced EJ Randell in the Cartoon Network animated series Clarence.

In 2015, Lea DeLaria received the Equality Illinois Freedom Award. This award recognized her work as a performer who has used her talent to entertain and teach many people. She said she was proud to receive the award from her home state.

Personal Life

In January 2015, Lea DeLaria became engaged to Chelsea Fairless. They had been dating for two and a half years. They met through Chelsea's friend, actress Emma Myles, who also appeared in Orange is the New Black. In January 2017, DeLaria confirmed that she and Fairless had separated.

Discography

Comedy albums

• 1992: Bulldyke in a Chinashop
• 1997: Box Lunch (Rising Star)

Jazz albums

• 2001: Play It Cool (Warner/WEA)
• 2005: Double Standards (Telarc)
• 2006: The Very Best of Lea DeLaria (Rhino/WEA UK)
• 2008: Lea DeLaria – The Live Smoke Sessions (Ghostlight Records)
• 2015: House of David (Ghostlight Records)

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Awards and Recognition

Lea DeLaria has received several awards for her work in entertainment:

Images for kids

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  Lea DeLaria in 2017

See also

In Spanish: Lea DeLaria para niños