FANNY BRICE

Fanny Brice was a Jewish singer and actress (of stage, radio and film) from the 1920s to the 1950s. Her nose job in 1923 (caused by her wanting to appear less "ethnic") prompted one of Dorothy Parker's most famous quips: "Fanny Brice cut off her nose to spite her race". She only made a few movies, and some cameo appearances, and her greatest fame came from outside the movies. She was well known for playing "Baby Snooks" in radio comedies and her life was the subject of films such as Rose of Washington Square, Funny Girl and Funny Lady. Barbra Streisand won an Oscar for her portrayal of Brice in Funny Girl, and Streisand "borrowed" most of the plot for her "The Main Event" from Be Yourself, the 1930 Fanny Brice movie! She passed away in 1951 at the age of 59.