The unassuming brick house at 421 Stanhope is nice, but it’s likely that its neighbors and possibly even its residents aren’t aware that big-mouthed, lewd, gay-rights-defending sexpot actress and controversial playwright Mae West spent her childhood there. I trolled around a bit online and found mentions of a few addresses, but when I searched census records, I got confirmation.
I had also read that she spent some of her childhood down on Broadway, but I couldn’t find any records for that — it’s likely it was in between censuses. Enjoy the fluff.
UPDATE: Someone sent me this video shot around Bushwick — and the West house makes a cameo! Um…music not so hot.
Tony T August 28th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Excellent find Jeremy! How did you do it? I always wondered what part of Bushwick Way West lived in, but I didn’t think she was a few blocks away from where I lived.
Jaybushwick August 28th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
She probably lives in the house that had the stable/hay loft in the back. Where else do you think she kept all her men.
Brooklyn Pete August 30th, 2007 at 2:57 am
Hey, this is funnny, because I know I guy named Bill who lives on the second floor apartment of 421 Stanhope St, and he is a wanna-be actor and major activist of all liberal causes.
Jeremy: Where did you find those census records?
pixie March 27th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Her parents were also the original owners of Teddy’s in Williamsburg
FormerRidgewoodite March 27th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Mae West is buried in the mausoleum in Cypress Hills Cemetery.
bushwicknative March 29th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Jeremy that is an amazing find. I always heard Mae west came from Bushwick but always thought it was around Broadway . I must have walked past that house dozens of times when I was growing up.
bambina April 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Sooo cute! I’m gonna go by there this weekend!
Joey Ronzoni April 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Shout out to Paul’s. Been getting my hair cut at Paul’s Barber Shop since I was seven. (He used to be on St. Nicholas Ave before the current Stanhope and Cypress spot). It’s still under $10 for a cut! Whenever I am back in town I still make a point of getting a cut there.
Mae Westside December 28th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Neither Mae West nor her parents had anything to do with Teddy’s eatery. Since the 1900s, restaurant owners have been spinning stories about famous people who once [ahem] “lived” in the building. It is usually hokum. Come up and see Mae – - – - MaeWest.blogspot.com