WV native, burlesque performer Blaze Starr dies at 83

Source: Charleston Gazette



CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Blaze Starr, a Wayne County native who became one of America’s most famous burlesque stars and strippers, died early Monday morning at the age of 83.

Born in Wilsondale as Fannie Belle Fleming on April 10, 1932, Starr may have been best known for her affair with Louisiana Gov. Earl K. Long, the brother of Louisiana Gov. and U.S. Sen. Huey P. “Kingfish” Long Jr. The two met when Starr was performing at the Sho-Bar in New Orleans.

Their relationship was featured in the 1989 film “Blaze,” starring Paul Newman and Lolita Davidovich. The movie was based on Starr’s memoir, co-written with Huntington resident Huey Perry, who had taught high school in Mingo County, and published in 1974.

From 1950 through the 1970s, Starr was based at the Two O’Clock Club in Baltimore, where she got the nickname “The Hottest Blaze in Burlesque.”



Read more: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20150615/GZ01/150619583