Baby Esther — The True Story of the Real Betty Boop
Most know Betty Boop as the television character who graced the screen during the 1930s, but few know the true inspiration behind the iconic television character. Betty Boop was based on Helen Kane, an American actress, and singer. Kane, however, had stolen her routine and look from Esther Lee Jones, more famously known as Baby Esther. Baby Esther was a Black singer from Chicago and was never officially recognized as the real inspiration for Betty Boop. Baby Esther was known for her baby-like singing voice and her catchphrase “boop-oop-a-doop” — both of which were stolen by Kane. Kane took full credit for being the inspiration for the character and few knew the true story.
It was not until Kane sued the creators of Betty Boop — and the case went to trial — that the true story was revealed. Kane admitted that she had seen Baby Esther perform and began to copy her routine in less than a week. Betty Boop’s creators had drawn Boop as a cartoon of Kane, unaware she had stolen all of it from Baby Esther.
Sadly, by the time Kane admitted the truth, Baby Esther had died. Helen Kane had profited off of Betty Boop and skyrocketed her career for years while Baby Esther got nothing. There were lookalike contests and dolls of Kane, unaware they were actually of Baby Esther. Nevertheless, Baby Esther never got the fame and recognition she deserved.
Work Cited:
Armstrong, Evelyn H. “The Scandalous Story Of Fraud Behind The Real-Life Inspiration For Betty Boop.” Her Moments, 2020, hermoments.com/the-real-betty-boop-scandal/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=6a03a3617ec709a82e60b66b4df70423f8b9a15d-1595787499–0-Ab_v5UEcVmbXdauNHiGQGwF-1XL1SHI-WTI5LB6VREZwMp2qp2bgm3WvO1QW9w5nt10gS1HYCO_kg5_W21pWRrBavrTQgtq6mOmb4u4EdnTI7zPrFev7uJT-jeUUPi9zAaZQXfLOKzFlR72jOpNwFb68dDz6qFj_Bp27wdSe5PgdQmWRYkIcUVtahDiREUjPnBvaYTGF3NAx3bCBY9RREXueki-w_q1-u0ahW27q-RRGjURTzI8nI1uaTUdwAMdY2QG4x4chstFUbnjUy5B4_VYKmPSQAt1mdfrsoqh6qqCzUJKXalpNUFtkrGSxhunOGh7b3FzzurrKPceY4yucyTWSrn97oRAoTqXpEaNNGqjNhWn5V9gU8qzIjcGh2aea6lZN5u5ItX13wKgqkz6sHF5y2TVXkRu0wT1jYGivqYQcCu6GWbGcW7WBW3PCaLQrVl88vJGdfM4l7_x76nWx5zjYq84MxL1zjOjz1BIrd0vyJ0u0T2e-9d5t84B-gR02ahw7N-JH7RpzeLdkZ7IQpo-ttBcvilMeqsAC3eQOfvTIp98jSwz-q43cO0CkQ_YFH5FRGrmacjffOlYs_PvPzS8.
