Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria is a jazz and blues singer, comedian and actor from Belleville, Illinois, born in 1958. She is known for combining stand-up comedy with vocal performance, and she works in traditional and modern bebop jazz. Her comedy has a strong political edge and a raunchy, irreverent style, and she becomes a prominent figure in lesbian stand-up comedy.

Comedy and writing

DeLaria releases comedy material including Bulldyke in a China Shop and Box Lunch. She also writes a humorous book, Lea's Book of Rules for the World. Her stand-up often includes commentary on gay and lesbian life, religion and politics.

Music

DeLaria uses music as part of her comedy performances and focuses especially on jazz standards. She releases the jazz album Play It Cool, which reflects her stated aim of bringing bebop jazz back into the gay and lesbian community.

Film, theatre and television

Her acting work includes appearances in films such as Edge of Seventeen and The First Wives Club. She also appears in musical theatre productions including The Rocky Horror Show and On the Town. In the Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, she plays Eddie and Dr. Scott, and she can be heard on the soundtrack. She later voices Helga Phugly in the animated sitcom The Oblongs.