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Faith BaconAmerican actress and burlesque dancer
Date of Birth: 19.07.1910
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Faith Bacon
Faith Bacon was an American actress and burlesque dancer, who was once called the most beautiful dancer in America. She had a stunning figure and captivated audiences with her performances. Born Frances Yvonne Bacon on July 19, 1910, in Los Angeles, California, she started her career in Paris, France.
Early Career
While in Paris, Faith decided to pursue a career in dancing, even though she had never received any formal training. She met the popular actor and entertainer Maurice Chevalier and made her debut in his revue. In her acts, she would use flowers, fans, and large translucent inflatable balls. Faith's performances often involved her being partially or completely nude.
Broadway and Controversies
After returning to the United States, Faith performed on Broadway from August 1928 to February 1929 in Earl Carroll's show 'Vanities.' She continued to dance in other productions like 'Fioretta' and 'Earl Carroll's Sketch Book.' In July 1930, she appeared in a new version of 'Vanities.' During this time, nudity was prohibited on stage, so Faith and Earl Carroll came up with a dance routine using large fans to cover her body, which gained immense popularity.
However, on July 9, 1930, the police raided the New Amsterdam Theatre and arrested Faith, Carroll, and other performers for their "indecent performance." Although the show had to make some changes after the raid, Faith continued to perform her fan dance. Carroll officially stated that she had been wearing a chiffon gown, therefore not fully naked. In August 1930, a grand jury decided not to press charges against the artists and impresario.
Later Career and Tragic End
From July to November 1931, Faith performed in 'Ziegfeld Follies,' and in 1933, she participated in the World's Fair in Chicago, where she discovered that her competitor Sally Rand was also performing a fan dance. Faith claimed to have invented the dance in 1930 and started calling herself the "Original Fan Dancer." However, her career began to decline after her appearance at the World's Fair.
In the winter of 1936, while working in the show 'Temptations,' Faith suffered a severe injury, slashing her thighs when she fell through a glass drum she was posing on while naked. The scars from the accident remained, and she later sued the show's organizers for $100,000 in damages but only received $5,000, which she spent on a ten-carat diamond.
In the fall of 1938, Faith sued Sally Rand, demanding a ban on her performing the fan dance and $375,000 in damages. Faith claimed that Rand had stolen the dance after working as her fan handler in 1930. Rand denied the accusations, dismissing them as envy.
Faith only appeared in a film once, in 'Prison Train' in the same year. In April 1939, she was arrested again for indecent behavior during a publicity stunt on Park Avenue in New York City. Despite her attempts to find work, by the mid-1950s, Faith was unemployed and broke.
On September 26, Faith Bacon jumped out of the window of her hotel room, falling two stories onto the roof of a neighboring building. Her roommate tried to save her by grabbing onto her skirt as she climbed onto the windowsill, but Faith slipped from her grasp. Later that evening, she died in the hospital from her injuries.
Faith likely suffered from deep depression, longing for the attention of the public that she was no longer able to regain. Her marriage had also ended years ago. The American Guild of Variety Artists held a funeral for the "most beautiful dancer in America."
