Judy Tenuta
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Judy Tenuta (born November 7, 1956 in Oak Park, Illinois) is an American entertainer, comedienne, and accordionist.
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[edit] Comic persona
Tenuta's act is primarily structured around an exaggerated, offbeat persona that is referred to primarily as "The Love Goddess". [1] Other monikers attributed to Tenuta include "Aphrodite of the Accordion", "Fashion Saint", "Princess of Panty Shields" and "Empress of Elvis Impersonators". [2] Tenuta's persona encourages fans to convert to her own personal religion, "Judyism".
[edit] Career
Aside from her own stand-up work, she has been featured in several productions of "Weird Al" Yankovic, including The Weird Al Show and the music videos for "Headline News" and "White & Nerdy". She has also appeared on game shows such as Hollywood Squares and the 1998 revival of Match Game.
Her use of voice in her act has lent itself to voice-over work in several animated programs. This includes doing the voice of Edna on Duckman, Black Widow on Space Ghost Coast to Coast [3], and as herself in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist.
In 1991 she published her first book "The Power Of Judyism" followed up with an audio CD version in 1999.
In 1998, she conceived, produced, and starred in the film Desperation Boulevard. More recently, she was a guest on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.
Tenuta is an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) rights, and frequently appears at gay pride rallies and events. [4]
[edit] CD Releases
- Buy This Pigs, 1987
- In Goddess We Trust, 1995
- UnButtPlugged, 1999
- Attention Butt Pirates And Lesbetarians - Live at CSW, 1999
- A Space Goddessy, 2002
[edit] Personal life
She was born to an Italian father and Polish mother in 1956 in Oak Park, Illinois and has an older brother. She married Emo Philips in 1988, but they've since divorced.
