What performing artist was once dubbed the "Statue of Libido?"

Born August 17, 1893, Mary Jane West began her long and illustrious career as the sexy and taboo breaking actress and comedian at the age of 14. Her original stage name was "Baby Mae." By 18 she was performing on Broadway where she was an instant success. She began writing her own "risqué" plays under the pen name "Jane Mast." Her first starring was in the play "Sex," written, directed and produced by her. The theater was raided and she was arrested for indecency and sentenced to serve 18 days in prison. This was reduced to just two day for "exemplary behavior" and while there, she dined with the warden and his wife.

Her next play, "The Drag," was stopped from opening by The Society for the Prevention of Vice because it was about homosexuality. Undaunted, 1932 West moved to Hollywood and began her film career at Paramount Studios. "Night After Night" (1932) and "She Done Him Wrong" (1933), broke all existing box-office records and are credited with single-handedly saving Paramount from the impending forced sell out to its rival, MGM.

Drama critic George Jean Nathan dubbed her ‘The Statue of Libido’ and her risqué 1930s comedies were ground-breaking blazing trails for generations of women in entertainment.

Eventually censorship caused her to abandon Hollywood and take her show on the road. She performed in Las Vegas, in England, on the radio and later on TV. She starred in her final role, "Sextette," at age 85, just two years before her death on November 22, 1980.