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;

Mae West was an icon of female pleasure in Hollywood, but her liberalism and audacity... would cost her career. The actress revolutionised cinema by speaking about subjects forbidden to women at the time, yet some dared to claim that she was actually a man in disguise. For years she fought against film censorship and became an advocate for gays, but the industry was not prepared for her boldness and ended up turning its back on her... | Rosa

Need a laugh? Revisit the best Mae West one-liners before the premiere tonight! | American Masters

44K views · 148 reactions | "Mae West was a pioneer for all those wonderful women who dare to be sexy..." "Mae West: Dirty Blonde" premieres June 16 at 8/7c. | American Masters | Facebook