At the age of 89, comedian D’yan Forest has done it all. Hailed as the “naughty version of Betty White” and accredited as the oldest working female comedian by Guinness World Record, Forest has been praised by critics and fans alike for her sharp wit, risqué humor, and vibrant personality.
Forest has shared the stage with comedic legends such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, and Joan Rivers – the latter of which called Forest “the filthy filthy ukulele player.” She has performed in New York, Paris, Edinburgh, and Ethiopia, and has even published a tell-all memoir, titled I Did it my Ways. Given her recent appearances, from being showcased at the Gotham Comedy Club, Caroline’s, The Broadway Comedy Club, and Le Poisson Rouge to being featured on The Drew Barrymore Show, SNL, Comedy Central, and France’s Incredible Talent, it’s easy to say D’yan Forest isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Prior to Forest’s comedic success, she led an equally, if not more, eccentric life – all of which she incorporates into her stand up routines. Born in the Boston area in 1934, D’yan grew up performing for her family, later joining a dance team and picking up the ukulele, trumpet, drums and even the rather uncommon glockenspiel. After a failed marriage, she retired from her career as a Bostonian housewife in the 1960s and moved to France, studying at the Cite Universitaire de Paris. In Paris, she originally pursued a career in cabaret and music, appearing in cafes, cabarets, and nightclubs throughout the city.
Her successful Parisian appearances led to gigs in other European countries, leading her to develop an international act with songs in nine languages. Some of her highlights from her time abroad include when she was the only Jewish girl in an all-Christian choir, working as a pianist in a transvestite cabaret, her reputation as a Parisian Swinger, simultaneously teaching sex education and basketball, dating a transexual rock guitarist, and becoming a defrocked nun. Her most recent one-woman-show, titled Swinging on the Seine, chronicles the initial years of her tenure in Paris.
She returned to the States and settled in New York, making a name for herself in upscale lounges at the Waldorf, the Plaza and the Park Lane, as well as saloons, piano bars, and later, in theater. However, Forest never thought of a career in comedy until the disastrous terrorist attack on 9/11. She remembers feeling distant from entertainment during the somber time, which she attempted to fill with comedy. At 68, Forest had her first stand up show, shocking the audience not only with her age, but her presence as a woman in the predominantly male comedic sphere. Without a doubt, her talent was not only recognized but applauded.
In addition to her great talent, her style and elegance have also contributed to her success. Having a unique attachment to French style, Forest let Paris be the inspiration for her personal style – creating looks in the vein of Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Channel and Christin Dior for many of her lounge shows and reverting to Halston and Ralph Lauren pieces during her performances at golf and country clubs. She remembers the 1960s as a time when everyone was dressed to kill, and regarding fashion, she believed this stylistic buzz is what showbiz is all about. Now, the successful comedian prefers her stand up wardrobe to be comfortable and portray a quiet sense of luxury.
dyanforest.com
Published by: Martin De Juan
