Leslie Zemeckis is a best-selling actress, writer and award-winning documentarian. Leslie’s critically acclaimed films include Behind the Burly Q, the true story of old-time burlesque in America. The film was championed by such publications as USA Today and The New Yorker reveals the never-before told stories of the men and women who worked in burlesque during its Golden Age; Bound by Flesh about Siamese twin superstars Daisy and Violet Hilton and her current Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer chronicling the extraordinary story of the world’s first female tiger trainer, Mabel Stark, in the early part of the 20th century.
She the author of Behind the Burly Q, the definitive oral history of burlesque and Goddess of Love Incarnate; the Life of Stripteuse Lili St. Cyr. Her third book Feuding Fan Dancers was published and became a bestseller October 2, 2018 about Sally Rand, Faith Bacon and the golden age of the showgirl.
Specializing in women in American pop culture from the early part of the 20th century Zemeckis is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post, Medium, Talkhouse and has written for W Magazine and Stork Magazine. She has presented her work and spoken at panels and Universities including Santa Barbara City College, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, The Chicago Club, Chicago History Museum, MoMa, Burlesque Hall of Fame, Burly Con. She continues to revisit and shine a light on formerly stigmatize and marginalized female entertainers.