The Untold Truth Of Andrew Dice Clay

Before the slicked-back hair, black leather jackets, and screaming fans/protesters, Andrew Dice Clay was born Andrew Clay Silverstein in Brooklyn, New York as told by The Jewish Week. His creative side came out at a young age, performing for his parents, Jacqueline and Fred Silverstein. The youth impersonated celebrities such as John Travolta and Jerry Lewis. 

According to Money Inc, Travolta had a profound impact on the young Clay. His early swings at stand-up comedy featured his impersonation of Jerry Lewis' character from "The Nutty Professor." However, after "Grease" came out, Clay decided to take John Travolta's character of Danny Zuko to the stage. He donned a black leather jacket, slicked his hair similar to Travolta, and copied his mannerisms. The revamp stand-up got him a weekend headliner spot at Pips Comedy Club in Brooklyn.

Clay also found work drumming, singing, and dancing to help pay the bills. Still, Clay found his greatest success on the comedy stage performing his evolving character. By the early 1980s, a fellow comedian, Michael Blinder, helped Clay develop the persona, "Dice," a cigarette smoking, Italian-American tough guy with a profane tongue. With the new look and style, Clay earned a role in the 1984 film, "Making the Grade" and shot to stardom, while also blurring the lines between the persona and the person.

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