Profile of the Day: Fanny Brice

On October 29, 1891, original “Funny Girl” Fanny Brice was born in New York City. Brice is considered to be one of America’s first female comedy superstars.

Image: Fanny Brice / Library of Congress

The third of four children born to Rose Stern and Charles Borach, Brice began performing at a young age. Born Fania Borach, she used the stage name Fanny Brice to avoid being typecast in Jewish roles.

A gifted singer and comedian, Brice enjoyed a successful vaudeville career before transitioning to Broadway, radio and film. Throughout the 1930s, she often performed on the radio as the mischievous toddler named Snooks and in 1944, she created her own top-rated radio comedy series, The Baby Snooks Show. For the first half of the 20th century, Brice was one of the most celebrated comedic actresses and singers in the industry. Sadly, she died of a cerebral hemorrhage on May 29, 1951 fat the age of 59.

After her death, Brice was immortalized on the big screen in the film Funny Girl, which was loosely based on her life and career. The film starred Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice and earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. As a result of a tie, the first in Oscar history for this category, she shared the award with Katharine Hepburn, who won for The Lion in Winter.

View Fanny Brice’s Geni Profile