New Books Network Grace Kessler Overbeke, "First Lady of Laughs: The Forgotten Story of Jean Carroll" (NYU Press, 2024)
Dec 5, 2025
Grace Kessler Overbeck, a theater professor and author, delves into the remarkable life of Jean Carroll, the first Jewish woman stand-up comedian. They discuss Carroll's pioneering role in shaping stand-up comedy and her glamorous persona that redefined Jewish femininity. Grace highlights the significance of Carroll’s appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and her innovative comedic style. The conversation touches on gender bias in comedy history and the importance of recognizing Carroll's lasting influence on contemporary female comedians.
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Pioneer Of Stand‑Up Comedy
- Jean Carroll is arguably the first woman and the first Jewish woman to perform stand-up in the U.S.
- Grace Kessler Overbeck frames Carroll as a pioneer who predated the term "stand-up" and shaped the form.
Rags‑to‑Stage Talent Shows
- Carroll grew up poor in an unstable household and used talent shows to earn prize money for the family.
- She saw performing as a route to financial stability and control over her life.
The Heckler Who Made Her Funny
- At age nine Carroll turned a tragic monologue into comedy after heckling from a boy in the audience.
- That moment shifted her toward humor and launched her comic persona.
