What Happened to Lenny Bruce on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?
by Sakthi
Updated May 26, 2023
What Happened to Lenny Bruce?
Lenny Bruce, born Leonard Alfred Schneider, was an extraordinary American stand-up comedian and a profound social critic. His comedic style was renowned for its unreserved, unrestricted nature, encompassing elements of satire, politics, religion, sexuality, and occasional profanity.
However, his artistic journey was marred by a series of tribulations, culminating in his conviction in an obscenity trial in 1964, although he was posthumously granted a pardon in 2003. Born on October 13, 1925, in Mineola, New York, Bruce embarked on his career as a stand-up comedian during the early 1950s.
From the outset, his performances ignited controversy, leading to multiple arrests on charges of obscenity. The pinnacle of these legal challenges came in 1964 when he was found guilty of obscenity in New York City and subsequently sentenced to four months in prison. Although the conviction was later overturned on appeal, the entire ordeal had a profound impact on Bruce's mental and physical well-being.
During the twilight years of his life, Bruce confronted the relentless battle of drug addiction. Sadly, on August 3, 1966, at the tender age of 40, he succumbed to a fatal overdose of morphine. The loss of Bruce was an immense blow to the realm of comedy. His ingenuity as an artist transcended societal boundaries and tested the limits of freedom of speech. Even today, his artistic legacy serves as a wellspring of inspiration for contemporary comedians.
What Happened to Lenny Bruce on 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?
Lenny Bruce, portrayed by Luke Kirby, has played a significant role across multiple seasons of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." In the show, he portrays a well-known comedian based in New York City and serves as a close friend and ally to Midge Maisel.
Not only is he an established comedian and a source of inspiration for Midge, but there is also an undeniable chemistry between them that eventually leads to a passionate encounter. Their connection, filled with flirtation, has garnered a dedicated fanbase that eagerly supports their relationship. However, it becomes clear that the show did not intend to develop a romantic connection between them beyond a platonic friendship with shared admiration.
This is evident when Midge, who rises to fame in the comedy world, is shown to have been married multiple times in one of the early episodes of Season 5, with no mention of Lenny Bruce in her romantic history. This omission is likely due to the fact that Lenny was absent during much of her journey, including her iconic performance at Carnegie Hall in 1971.
Midge promises Lenny that she won't let her comedy career falter, but the series finale reveals that Lenny tragically did. In the final episode, Susie attends one of his presumably last shows in San Francisco in 1965, where Lenny's performance falls flat. Life, along with his troubled past, seems to have caught up with him, dragging him down.
None of Lenny's jokes resonate, and the audience remains unamused. It's a cringe-worthy and heart-wrenching experience, especially for a man who previously captivated audiences. Lenny's fall from grace becomes evident when Susie approaches him backstage, hoping to help revive his career. It's apparent that Lenny is under the influence of drugs, and it has taken a toll on his health.
He shows no intention of stopping as he awaits the arrival of a dealer. Susie fails to convince Lenny to give comedy another chance and rebuild his life, and he even tells her to save her favors for someone deserving. In a final moment, Lenny inquires if Midge attended the show, but Susie informs him that she did not, leading to an unspoken understanding that it's for the best.
Shortly after, Susie meets a distraught Midge outside, waiting to see if Lenny will accept Susie's offer to turn his life around. Susie informs Midge that Lenny is in a terrible state, promising to try again when she visits Los Angeles the following month. The series does not explicitly reveal Lenny's ultimate fate. However, there is another scene in the final episode, set a few months before Midge's breakthrough appearance on the Gordon Ford Show.
In this scene, Lenny imparts wisdom on handling fame and teaches Midge how to sign autographs, showcasing his unwavering belief in her talent. Yet, there is no closure or insight into what transpired after Lenny Bruce's turbulent performance at the beginning of the episode.
Considering his previous struggles with drug use and his intoxicated state in 1965, along with his onstage comments blaming his arrests on "Lenny Bruce in Substance," it's reasonable to assume that his life unfolded similarly to the real Lenny Bruce. According to Lenny Bruce's actual biography, increased drug use and legal troubles took a toll on his mental health, resulting in his being blacklisted from nearly every nightclub.
The timelines align, as Susie's last encounter with Lenny occurred in 1965, and in real life, Bruce tragically passed away in 1966, found dead from an overdose in his Hollywood Hills home. The official cause of death was listed as "acute morphine poisoning caused by an overdose."
It is plausible that the 1965 San Francisco show marked the last time Midge Maisel ever saw Lenny in person, despite the assumption that their farewell at the airport was merely temporary. It was not a goodbye for now, but a farewell forever.
What Happens to Lenny Bruce in Mrs Maisel?
Indeed, Lenny Bruce was a genuine troublemaker in real life, as portrayed in "Maisel." He faced numerous arrests and gained a reputation as an "outlaw" comedian, pushing boundaries that were considered taboo at the time. Today, such topics are commonplace in comedy, including discussions about sex, politics, and satirical jabs at religion.
However, during Bruce's era, this type of comedy was met with controversy and backlash. He was often labeled a "sick comedian." "Maisel" aptly captures this aspect of Bruce's life, highlighting Midge's character's tendency to challenge societal norms. In the show, Bruce's character faces legal troubles, including multiple arrests for obscenity in various cities as well as charges related to drug possession and scams.
Bruce had limited opportunities to perform on network television and was even banned from certain cities. However, he found companionship among progressive thinkers and other subversive individuals. As documented on Bruce's official website, influential and empathetic fans such as Hugh Hefner and Steve Allen supported him, facilitating his appearances on television despite being blacklisted.
Although his more controversial jokes had to undergo approval beforehand, these moments eventually led to his iconic performance at Carnegie Hall.
Lenny Bruce Beginnings
Leonard Alfred Schneider, famously known as Lenny Bruce, entered the world in Mineola, New York. His parents, Myron Schneider, a shoe clerk, and Sally Marr, a performer, played significant roles in shaping his path. In 1942, at the young age of 16, Schneider embarked on a unique adventure by joining the U.S. Navy.
However, it was during his time in the Navy that he stirred controversy by entertaining his shipmates with a drag performance. While this entertained his fellow sailors, it didn't sit well with his commanding officers, resulting in his discharge from military service in 1945.
Although Lenny's departure from the Navy was unfortunate, it marked the beginning of his comedic journey. He relocated to New York, where his true story as an enigmatic figure began to unfold. There, he found himself in the company of renowned comedians like Buddy Hackett and Rodney Dangerfield, who, at the time, were not widely recognized. Their audacious and risqué comedic styles left a lasting impact on Lenny.
Lenny Bruce's foray into the world of performance commenced as a stand-in for the host of one of his mother Sally's shows at The Victory Club. Initially taking the stage as "Lenny Marsalle" initially, he later adopted the name, Lenny Bruce. However, it was not merely the name change that defined his artistic identity; it was something more daring and provocative.
What Happened to Lenny Bruce: FAQs
Lenny Bruce, born Leonard Alfred Schneider, was a renowned American stand-up comedian and social critic.
Lenny Bruce was known for his open, free-wheeling, and critical style of comedy that touched on topics such as satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity.
Lenny Bruce was convicted of obscenity in 1964 in New York City and sentenced to four months in prison. However, his conviction was later overturned on appeal.
Lenny Bruce's encounters with the legal system took a toll on his mental and physical health, contributing to his struggles with drug addiction in the years leading up to his death.
In the series, Lenny Bruce's character did not find redemption or a fresh start. Despite efforts from his manager, Susie, to help him revive his career, he refused to change his self-destructive path.