Dorian Dennis was a famous burlesque dancer and striptease artist who rose to fame in the 1950s. She was known for her beauty, charisma, and talent, as well as her scandalous affairs with celebrities and gangsters. But behind the glamorous facade, she had a troubled and tragic life that ended with her death from cancer at the age of 47. Here is the story of Dorian Dennis cause of death and her life.
Early Life and Career
Dorian Dennis was born as Anna Maria Pierangeli on August 19, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York. She had a twin sister, Marisa Pavan, who also became an actress. Dorian was a bright student who graduated from high school at 15 and received a B.S. in Chemistry from NYU as a pre-med student. She planned to become a doctor, but after World War II, she changed her mind and decided to pursue a career in show business.
She started working as a hat check girl at Toots Shor’s and the Latin Quarter, two famous nightclubs in New York. There, she met many celebrities and influential people who encouraged her to become a showgirl. She soon landed a job at the Havana Madrid, where she caught the eye of Harold Minsky, the king of burlesque. He offered her a contract to perform at his theater, the Minsky’s Burlesque.
Dorian accepted the offer and became one of the most popular burlesque stars of the era. She was known for her exotic costumes, elaborate routines, and witty banter with the audience. She also had a signature move called the “Dennis Twist”, which involved spinning around on one leg while removing her clothes. She earned up to $2,000 a week, which was a huge amount at the time.
Love Affairs and Scandals
Dorian Dennis was not only famous for her performances, but also for her love affairs with some of the most powerful and notorious men of the time. She dated Frank Costello, the head of the Luciano crime family; Mickey Cohen, the king of Los Angeles underworld; Joe Adonis, another mob boss; and Johnny Stompanato, a bodyguard and enforcer for Cohen.
She also had relationships with celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Errol Flynn, and Marlon Brando. She claimed that she married Brando in Mexico in 1954, but he denied it. She also said that she had an affair with John F. Kennedy when he was a senator.
Dorian’s love life was full of drama and danger. She was involved in several scandals that made headlines. In 1952, she was arrested for indecent exposure after performing a striptease at a private party in Beverly Hills. In 1957, she was stabbed by Stompanato during an argument at her apartment. He later died after being stabbed by Lana Turner’s daughter, Cheryl Crane, who claimed that he was attacking her mother.
Dorian also had a rivalry with another burlesque star, Lili St. Cyr, who accused her of stealing her act and costumes. The two women had a public feud that culminated in a lawsuit in 1958. Dorian won the case and received $22,500 in damages from St. Cyr.
Decline and Death
Dorian Dennis’ career began to decline in the late 1950s, as burlesque lost its popularity and faced censorship and competition from television and movies. She tried to reinvent herself as an actress and singer, but failed to achieve success. She also suffered from depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
She moved to Florida in the 1960s and opened a nightclub called Dorian’s Den. She continued to perform there until she was diagnosed with cancer in 1970. She died on December 8, 1970, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was buried at Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens East.
According to Listal, Dorian Dennis cause of death was cancer. She was only 47 years old when she passed away. She left behind a legacy of being one of the most glamorous and controversial burlesque stars of all time.
