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Tempest Storm, a burlesque legend known for appearing in several Russ Meyer films, has died. She was 93.
Robbins confirmed the news of her death toThe Las Vegas Review-Journal. Storm previously underwent hip surgery, and she had been previously diagnosed with dementia.
Born in Eastman, Georgia, in 1928, she made the move to Hollywood andbegan dancing as Tempest Stormwhen she was 17.
A few years later, she signed a 10-year contract for $100,000 a year with the Bryan-Engels burlesque chain, becoming the highest paid burlesque performer in history.
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Shortly after making the move to Los Angeles, shebefriended her neighborMarilyn Monroe.
Storm also appeared in Bettie Page’s final filmTeaseramain 1955 and starred in several other exploitation films as well, includingThe French Peep Show(1949),Paris After Midnight(1951) andStriptease Girl(1952).
Storm was romantically linked to Elvis Presley, Mickey Rooney, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr. and gangster Mickey Cohen, among others.
With three marriages already behind her, she was wed to actor and jazz musician Herb Jeffries from 1959 to 1967, and theyshared a daughter, Patricia.
Tempest Storm.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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Storm performed well into her 80s, making her final onstage appearance in June 2010 at a Burlesque Hall of Fame reunion show. Shefractured her hipthat night, putting an end to her work as a dancer.
source: people.com
