Ann Corio American actress and iconic burlesque stripper Date of Birth: 29.11.1909 Country: USA

1. Anne Corio: The Queen of Burlesque on Broadway
2. A Star is Born
3. Success on Broadway and in Hollywood
4. From Screen to Stage
5. Later Years and Legacy

Anne Corio: The Queen of Burlesque on Broadway

Anne Corio was an American actress and iconic burlesque dancer. Unlike many others in her profession, Corio never used a stage name. She was born on November 29, 1909, in Hartford, Connecticut. As one of 14 children in an Italian immigrant family, she lost her father at a young age.

A Star is Born

Even as a teenager, Corio stood out with her green eyes, chestnut hair, and stunning figure. At the age of 16, she realized that she could earn much more by getting into burlesque. Her physique helped her become a part of musicals and variety shows, and eventually, she became a popular stripper.

Success on Broadway and in Hollywood

Working in New York City, Corio became a star in several clubs, including the famous "Minsky's Burlesque" and the old Boston "Howard Theatre." However, in 1939, after the New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia closed down "indecent" establishments, Corio moved to Los Angeles.

Between 1941 and 1944, she appeared in several B-movies, often portraying provocative characters. Her most famous film was the melodrama "Jungle Siren" directed by Sam Newfield and starring Buster Crabbe.

From Screen to Stage

During World War II, Corio volunteered to be a "YANK" magazine cover girl. She enjoyed great success on stage with her dance numbers. In 1965, she directed and starred in the Broadway show "This Was Burlesque." In 1968, Corio took a different path and authored a book, solidifying her reputation as a burlesque dancer. In the 1970s, long after her retirement, she appeared twice as a guest on the popular American talk show "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Later Years and Legacy

In her later years, Corio performed at the "Latin Quarter" theater on Broadway, also known as the "Princess Theatre," trying to compete with the nearby production of "Sugar Babies." Around 1986, she revived her show "This Was Burlesque" at a theater-restaurant in Florida, but due to lack of success, the organizers decided not to continue further productions.

Anne Corio passed away on March 1, 1999, in Englewood, New Jersey, at the age of 90. The popular burlesque dancer was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Exotic World Burlesque Museum in Helendale, California.