Rickman, Carmella, 1929-2008

Born December 10, 1929, Carmella Antoinette Rickman lived in the Washington, D.C. area for much of her professional career as a burlesque dancer. Her promotional material claimed she was discovered while working as a hostess at a restaurant. She used the stage name Carmella: The Sophia Loren of Berlesk. Under her agent, Sol Goodman, she performed in Washington D.C. and travelled extensively for engagements along the east coast. She also performed internationally in Panama and Canada. In addition to her dancing, Rickman was a seamstress and made her own costumes. She performed regularly from the mid- to late-1950s until approximately the late-1960s. Rickman had three children. She lived in Southern Nevada in her later life and passed away in Las Vegas on January 11, 2008.