Category: Blaze Starr

Blaze Starr (born Fannie Belle Fleming on April 10, 1932 in Wayne County, West Virginia) was an American stripper and burlesque comedienne. The second eldest of 11 siblings, Blaze grew up near Wilsondale, West Virginia, before leaving home at age 14. She moved to DC, where a Red Synder, a promoter, discovered her. Red convinced Blaze to start stripping when she was just 15. She relocated to Baltimore in 1950 to perform at the Two O’Clock Club. She gained national renown due to a profile in the February 1954 issue of Esquire magazine. Baltimore remained her home base as she travelled to perform at clubs across the country. Blaze often performed on stage with dangerous cats and theatrical flourishes that made her stand out. Her trademark routine was The Exploding Couch. Her performances often resulted in her arrest, due to lewdness. She was featured in the 1956 movie, Buxom Beautease, but she left her mark on pop culture with the 1989 movie, Blaze. Adapted from her memoir, Blaze was portrayed by Lolita Davidovich and Paul Newman was cast as Louisiana governor, Earl Long. Blaze semi-retired in 1975 to become a full-time gemologist. She passed away in her home on June 15, 2015.