First lady of laughs The forgotten story of Jean Carroll, America's first Jewish woman stand-up comedian

In this spirited debut biography, Overbeke, a theater professor at Columbia College Chicago, examines how Jewish comic Jean Carroll (1911--2010) "sparked the creativity and humor of a generation" of female comedians, including Joan Rivers and Lily Tomlin. Born Celine Zeigman in Paris, Carroll moved with her family to New York City in 1912, where she endured a tumultuous childhood with an alcoholic father. Resolving at age eight to earn enough money to support her mother and siblings, she began performing in variety shows in 1922, adopted a "non-ethnic" name, and became the family's primary breadwinner by the time she was a teenager. Shifting to stand-up comedy in 1944, Carroll eschewed the standard rapid-fire delivery popular at the time for a gossipy, conversational style that established an intimate relationship with her audience. Scrupulously dissecting the linguistic and thematic nuances of the comedian's performances, Overbeke reveals how Carroll modeled a new type of funny Jewish woman "who had assimilated into American upper-middle-class, white, heterosexual, attractive, and even glamorous society," yet whose persona "retained something markedly Jewish." Meticulously analyzed and researched, it's a valuable addition to the history of female comedians and Jewish American entertainers. (Sept.)

Stand-up comedy trailblazer Jean Carroll (1911--2010) inspired Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, and Lily Tomlin. Despite growing up in an impoverished immigrant family, she built a hard-won professional life that was equal to and often surpassed her male counterparts. Her career evolved with the entertainment industry from vaudeville, the Catskills, theaters, and nightclubs through the rise of television. Her numerous credits included an acclaimed comedy album, a 1953 TV sitcom, and over two dozen appearances on Ed Sullivan. Her performance style was uniquely her own--glamorous, dignified, and one that embraced her Jewish heritage. She drew comedic material from everyday life while avoiding stage character stereotypes. Overbeke (theater, Columbia Coll., Chicago) traces Carroll's life and career, perceptively analyzing her marked influence on the art of stand-up comedy and candidly defining her many challenges, especially within the cultural context of the era. Although Carroll's commitment to her art was strong, her devotion to her family was more so, prompting her eventual departure from public life. Her achievements and impact, however, resonated long after. VERDICT Well-written and thoroughly researched using numerous primary and family sources. Readers who enjoy comedy and entertainment history will find this particularly absorbing.--Carol J. Binkowski