The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's final season premiere is arguably one of the most anticipated events of this spring—right up there with the Met Gala. Luckily, there are only a couple more days until episodes one to three of season 5 drop (but fans won't get to see the characters' stories wrap up until the final episode premieres on May 26). One person I'm particularly concerned about is Lenny Bruce, because well, the end of season 4 wasn't looking good for him.
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel fans know that Lenny Bruce, though only a recurring character, is essential to the series. Even Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Midge, has said that Lenny acts as her character's "fairy godmother," talking sense and encouragement into her at every turn, per Vanity Fair.
Critics get it, too. Luke Kirby, who plays Lenny in the series, won an Emmy in 2019 for his performance in season 2 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
As it turns out, Lenny is not only a very real person—he's also regarded as one of the most legendary comics in America and a towering symbol of free speech. In fact, both Richard Pryor and George Carlin cited him as an influence. The events depicted on the show are based on his very true story. Ahead, Women's Health has gathered everything to know about one of Midge's greatest confidants.
Who Is Lenny Bruce?
Lenny Bruce appears in the very first episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (and, according to creator Amy Sherman-Palladino in an interview with Vanity Fair, was not originally supposed to become a recurring character). Throughout the series, he's been the other half of a will-they-won't-they situation with Midge, which finally came to a head last season. But Lenny doesn't just exist as Midge's love interest in the series.
Since his first appearance, Lenny has been a huge supporter of Midge's career, which means a lot to her because he's happens to be a very successful comic. It's also apparennt in the series that Lenny is troubled, in ways that Midge can't really relate to, or understand. Throughout MMM, Lenny views his career in comedy as his job—rather than an exciting talent—which contributes to his overall troubles.
The real life Lenny Bruce, born Leonard Alfred Schneider, is obviously similar to the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel character. At that time, Lenny was considered a "sick" comic for including jokes on "controversial" topics in his sets. He was essentially blacklisted from television appearances and nightclubs.
Like in MMM, Lenny's career peaked when he performed at Carnegie Hall in 1961. Although this was considered his greatest performance, he was banned from performing at most clubs following the act, as owners feared his "obscenities." His last performance was in June 1966 in San Francisco.
A landmark ruling for Miller vs. California at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 later modified and broadened the definition of "obscenity," so that material like Lenny's are no longer considered indecent.
Lenny Bruce struggled with addiction.
At the end of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 4, Midge discovers Lenny's drug stash. This critical plot point is accurate: Lenny was heavily addicted to drugs in the final years of his life. He reportedly used heroin, methamphetamine, and Dilaudid (an opioid) daily, according to Jewish Virtual Library.
The comedian Lenny Bruce.
Lenny was married in real life.
Per the New York Times, Lenny met and married his wife, an American stripper and showgirl named Honey Harlow, in 1951. The couple had a tumultuous relationship and shared a daughter named Kitty, who was born in 1955. On the show, Lenny tells a very surprised Midge about his daughter during season 4.
Lenny's addiction contributed to domestic violence issues with Honey. And at one point, he reportedly turned Honey in to the authorities for a drug possession, and then took their daughter away with him, per Jewish Virtual Library. Bruce and Honey divorced in 1957.
Was Lenny Bruce ever actually arrested?
A critical plot point in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is Lenny Bruce's multiples arrests. And true to the series, the real Lenny Bruce was, indeed, arrested multiple times—for "obscenities" in his performances, scamming, and drug possession.
In December 1964, Bruce was sentenced to four months in a workhouse, but was released on bail through the appeals process, per his website. The New York Court of Appeals overturned his conviction in 1970—four years after his death. In 2003, he received an honorable pardon from Governor George Pataki, who called it “a declaration of New York’s commitment to upholding the First Amendment,” per Jewish Virtual Library.
Lenny Bruce is searched following an arrest in San Francisco.
The real Lenny Bruce died in 1966.
On August 3, 1966, Lenny Bruce was found dead in the bathroom of his California home. The comedian's cause of death was acute morphine poisoning due to an accidental overdose, per the Jewish Chronicle. Lenny's wife, Honey, died in Honolulu in 2005 at the age of 78. Lenny is survived by his daughter Kitty Bruce, 67, who briefly worked as an actress, per IMDb.
As for the fictional Lenny Bruce, time will only tell what his fate will be in the upcoming season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Olivia Evans
News Editorial Assistant
Olivia Evans (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. Her work has previously appeared in The Cut and Teen Vogue. She loves covering topics where culture and wellness intersect. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and watching rom-coms.
