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United States Elayne Boosler is a groundbreaking comedian, writer, and actress, recognized for her observational humor and strong advocacy for animals.
Elayne Boosler's Tails of Joy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by comedian, writer, and animal activist Elayne Boosler, dedicated to animal rescue and advocacy.
Boosler has written and starred in five of her own one-hour Showtime standup comedy specials. Her 1985 self-produced special, "Party of One," aired on Showtime, making her the first woman to have an hour-long comedy special on a cable network.
Boosler has written and directed two movies for Cinemax: "Comedy From Here" (1986) and "The Call" (1989), as part of the Cinemax Comedy Experiment series.
Boosler appeared regularly on HBO's "Comic Relief" for six years and was interviewed for the 2018 HBO documentary "Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind."
Boosler was a frequent guest on Bill Maher's television show "Politically Incorrect" over thirty times, showcasing her political humor.
Boosler voices the role of "Mama Pete" on Disney's "Mickey and the Roadster Racers."
Boosler was featured on Episode 7, season 4, of "My Crazy Ex Girlfriend," which aired on The CW.
Boosler was seen weekly on the CNN Comedy Series "The History of Comedy" in 2017 and 2018. She also contributed opinion pieces to CNN.com and was a frequent guest on "Larry King Live" and "CNN and Company."
Boosler hosted the game show "Balderdash" for NBC/ION (then PAX) from 2004-2005.
Boosler's name has appeared in over 30 New York Times crossword puzzles. She also co-constructed a puzzle for the Times and has written opinion pieces for the publication.
Boosler wrote a viral opinion piece for Time magazine on May 1, 2018, regarding the White House Correspondents' Dinner and the reaction to Michelle Wolf's performance.
Boosler was a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post between 2011 and 2017.
In 2013, Boosler was commissioned by the Glendale Symphony Orchestra to write and perform "Rescue – A True Story," a performance piece for spoken word and orchestra.
In 2016, Boosler hosted the TV show "Gotham Comedy Live" on AXS TV.
Boosler moderated a Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate on C-Span for the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Elayne Boosler was born on August 18, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, she was the youngest of seven children. Her early exposure to stand-up comedy came from watching performers in Las Vegas lounges, sparking her interest in the art form. After attending the University of South Florida and working as a singer and dancer, she began her stand-up career at The Improv in New York City in 1973. She distinguished herself by refusing to perform in the venue’s ‘Belly Room,’ a space often designated for female comics, preferring the main stage. Her innovative observational style, which included frank discussions about her life as a single woman and political commentary, set her apart from earlier female comedians. Her rapid-fire delivery became a hallmark of her performances.
Boosler achieved significant milestones in her career, including producing and financing her own hour-long comedy special, “Party of One,” which aired on Showtime in 1986. This made her the first woman to have such a special on a cable network, paving the way for other female comedians. The success of “Party of One” led to subsequent specials with Showtime, including “Broadway Baby,” “Top Tomata,” and “Live Nude Girls.” Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she made numerous television appearances, including guest roles on popular sitcoms like “The Cosby Show,” “Night Court,” “Living Single,” “Dear John,” and “Sisters.” She also became a regular on “Hollywood Squares” and was a frequent guest on politically themed shows, showcasing her blend of humor and social commentary.
Beyond performing, Boosler is a prolific writer, contributing to publications such as The New York Times, Esquire, and The Huffington Post. She wrote for other performers, including Rodney Dangerfield’s 1986 comedy special and Barbra Streisand’s stage banter. In 2001, she founded Tails of Joy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal rescue and advocacy, reflecting her lifelong commitment to animal welfare. Her career also includes directing two movies for Cinemax (“Comedy From Here” and “The Call”), hosting the game show “Balderdash” on PAX, and performing for dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II at the London Palladium and President Clinton at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
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