Jorie Remus
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Born Name:
Jorie Remus
Born Date: March 17, 1919
Born Place: New York City
Died Date: June 16, 1998
Died Place: Hawaii
Occupations: Comedian, actress
Brief Biography: Jorie Remus was highly influential in the 1950s nightclub and stand-up comedy scenes.
Rise in the Comedy Scene:
San Francisco Roots: Remus made her mark performing at legendary North Beach venues like The Purple Onion and the hungry i.
Signature Act: Known for her husky, cigarette-toned voice, she often sat atop a piano. She would sing and deliver sharp, self-deprecating monologues satirizing modern dating and traditional burlesque shows.
Bicoastal Appeal: She later expanded to New York, performing at the Blue Angel nightclub and founding a short-lived New York offshoot called Jorie's Purple Onion.
Recorded Work: Her comedic style was preserved on her 1960 album, The Unpredictable Jorie Remus.
Direct Influence on Icons:
Phyllis Diller: Remus was a major influence on Phyllis Diller. She introduced Diller to her personal acting coach, who helped shape Diller’s legendary, eccentric stage persona.
Maya Angelou: While watching a young Marguerite Johnson perform in Los Angeles, Remus recognized her talent and helped secure her gigs at the Purple Onion. Remus also suggested her famous stage name, Maya Angelou. Angelou actively studied Remus's routine to learn how to captivate live crowds.
Later Career & Hawaii Move:
Media Struggles: In the late 1950s, Remus appeared on Tonight Starring Jack Paar and The Phil Silvers Show. However, her career stalled due to personal struggles and an erroneous report published by columnist Dorothy Kilgallen claiming she had died.
Television Work: Remus relocated to Hawaii, stepping away from the nightclub circuit. She pivoted to television acting, appearing in several episodes of Hawaii Five-O during the 1970s. Her final credited acting role was on Magnum, P.I. in 1982.
Born Date: March 17, 1919
Born Place: New York City
Died Date: June 16, 1998
Died Place: Hawaii
Occupations: Comedian, actress
Brief Biography: Jorie Remus was highly influential in the 1950s nightclub and stand-up comedy scenes.
Rise in the Comedy Scene:
San Francisco Roots: Remus made her mark performing at legendary North Beach venues like The Purple Onion and the hungry i.
Signature Act: Known for her husky, cigarette-toned voice, she often sat atop a piano. She would sing and deliver sharp, self-deprecating monologues satirizing modern dating and traditional burlesque shows.
Bicoastal Appeal: She later expanded to New York, performing at the Blue Angel nightclub and founding a short-lived New York offshoot called Jorie's Purple Onion.
Recorded Work: Her comedic style was preserved on her 1960 album, The Unpredictable Jorie Remus.
Direct Influence on Icons:
Phyllis Diller: Remus was a major influence on Phyllis Diller. She introduced Diller to her personal acting coach, who helped shape Diller’s legendary, eccentric stage persona.
Maya Angelou: While watching a young Marguerite Johnson perform in Los Angeles, Remus recognized her talent and helped secure her gigs at the Purple Onion. Remus also suggested her famous stage name, Maya Angelou. Angelou actively studied Remus's routine to learn how to captivate live crowds.
Later Career & Hawaii Move:
Media Struggles: In the late 1950s, Remus appeared on Tonight Starring Jack Paar and The Phil Silvers Show. However, her career stalled due to personal struggles and an erroneous report published by columnist Dorothy Kilgallen claiming she had died.
Television Work: Remus relocated to Hawaii, stepping away from the nightclub circuit. She pivoted to television acting, appearing in several episodes of Hawaii Five-O during the 1970s. Her final credited acting role was on Magnum, P.I. in 1982.