Harvey Fierstein

Born: June 6, 1954
Where: Bensonhurst, New York

Harvey's showbiz life began in a somewhat unconventional way. He had a drag act in New York gay bars, and performed under the name Virginia Hamm.

He spent much of his early career on stage and producing plays, and then in 1976 he appeared on screen in Rosa von Praunheim's documentary, Underground and Emigrants.

In 1984 Harvey narrated the Oscar-winning feature documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk, and in the same year he made his feature debut in Garbo Talks..

Harvey spent the next ten years on stage and on the small screen, and in 1996 he had a big break. He was offered a featured role in the blockbuster hit Independence Day.

|n 2000 Harvey wrote the Andy & Amos segment of a TV series called Common Ground - a drama special examining gay and lesbian life.

Recently Harvey has featured in Mrs. Doubtfire and Death to Smoochy.