Harvey Fierstein Biography

Harvey Fierstein is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter born in Brooklyn, New York, United States.

He is best known for his distinctive gravelly voice. He earned notice for his theater work in Torch Song Trilogy, besting both the Tony Award for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play. He moved on to succeed the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles, then Best Actor in a Musical for playing Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, a role he duplicated for the Hairspray Live! television special.

10 Quick Facts About Harvey Fierstein

Here is a list of 10 facts about Fierstein

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• Name: Harvey Fierstein
• Age: 70 years old
• Birthday: June 6
• Zodiac Sign: Gemini
• Height: 6 feet 2½ inches (1.89 m)
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Playwright, and Screenwriter
• Marital Status: Single
• Salary: Not Available
• Net Worth: $20 Million

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Harvey Fierstein Age

Fierstein is 70 years old, he was born on June 6, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on June 6 every year and his birth sign is Gemini.

Harvey Fierstein Height

Harvey Fierstein stands at a height of 6 feet 2½ inches (1.89 m).

Harvey Fierstein Weight

Fierstein weighs 107 kg (236 lbs).

Early Life and Education

Fierstein was born on June 6, 1954, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City as the son of Jacqueline Harriet (née Gilbert), a school librarian, and Irving Fierstein, a handkerchief manufacturer. Fierstein has a brother, Ronald Fierstein. The family belonged to a Conservative Jewish temple. Earlier to puberty, Fierstein was a soprano in a professional boys’ choir. Fierstein graduated from the High School of Art and Design and obtained a BFA from the Pratt Institute in 1973.

Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Moment

Fierstein was honored for his 1990 role as the voice of Karl, Homer Simpson’s assistant, in the “Simpson and Delilah” episode of The Simpsons. Fierstein also depicted Mark Newberger in Cheers, gaining a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1992.

Major Achievements and Contributions

• The 1982 Broadway production won him two Tony Awards, for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play; two Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Actor in a Play; and the Theatre World Award.
• Fierstein is the first openly gay actor to win a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Personal Life

Harvey Fierstein Family, Parents

Fierstein was born to his mother, Jacqueline Harriet Fierstein and father, Irving Fierstein in New York. His mother, Jacqueline, worked as a school librarian, while his father, Irving, was a handkerchief manufacturer.

Harvey Fierstein Siblings

Fierstein spent his childhood with his brother, Ronald K. Fierstein.

Harvey Fierstein Husband

Fierstein is openly gay and currently possibly single. He was previously in a relationship with Ted Casablanca, an entertainment journalist and gossip columnist. The couple began began dating in 1987 and called it quits in 1992, after dating for 5 years.

Harvey Fierstein Net Worth

Harvey Fierstein’s net worth is estimated at $20 million dollars. This includes his assets, money and income. His primary source of income is his career as an Actor, Playwright, and Screenwriter. Through his various sources of income, Harvey has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Harvey Fierstein

Here are some interesting facts you should know about Harvey.

Harvey Fierstein Bio.

• Full Names: Harvey Forbes Fierstein
• Popular As: Harvey
• Gender: Male
• Occupation / Profession: Actor, Playwright, and Screenwriter
• Nationality: American
• Race / Ethnicity: White
• Religion: Jewish
• Sexual Orientation: Gay

Birthday

• Age / How Old?: 70 Years Old
• Zodiac Sign: Gemini
• Date of Birth: June 6, 1954
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
• Birthday: June 6

Body Measurements

• Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 2½ inches (1.89 m)
• Weight: 107 kg (236 lbs)
• Eye Color: Dark Brown
• Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
• Shoe Size: Not Available

Family and Relationship

• Father (Dad): Irving Fierstein
• Mother: Jacqueline Harriet (née Gilbert)
• Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Ronald K. Fierstein
• Marital Status: Single
• Husband/Spouse: Not Applicable
• Dating / Boyfriend: Ted Casablanca (1987-1992)
• Children: Sons (None) Daughter(s) (None)

Net Worth and Salary

• Net Worth: $20 Million
• Salary: Not Available
• Source of Income: Actor, Playwright, and Screenwriter

Hairspray

In the film Hairspray, Fierstein played Edna Turnblad. Edna is a central character in Hairspray, in 1988, 2007 and 2016 films. She is the wife of Wilbur Turnblad and the mother of protagonist Tracy Turnblad. She is ashamed of her weight and appearance, which over the years leads to her refusing to leave her home.

Her daughter Tracy decides Edna should be her new agent, taking her to Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway to strike a contract and while there, Edna is treated to a makeover and begins to embrace herself more. Motormouth Maybelle manages to convince Edna that being big, pretty and beautiful.

Plays

• Torch Song Trilogy 1978
• La Cage aux Folles 1973
• Kinky Boots 2012
• Safe Sex 1987
• Casa Valentina 2015
• A Catered Affair 2007
• Legs Diamond

Voice

Fierstein’s signature gravelly voice is a result of an overdeveloped vestibular fold in his vocal cords, essentially giving him a “double voice” when he speaks.

Torch Song Trilogy

Torch Song Trilogy is a group of three plays by Harvey Fierstein generated in three acts: International Stud, Fugue in a Nursery, and Widows and Children First! The story centers on Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish homosexual, drag queen, and torch singer who reisdes in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The four-hour play begins with a monologue in which he describes his cynical disillusionment with love.

Contacts

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