World's Oldest Female Comedian, 90, Performs at LI: 'It Feels Great'

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — While many seniors in their prime might be into the early bird specials and go early, D'yan Forest of Southampton, 90, finds herself doing nightly concerts to entertain the crowds with her hilarious stand-up comedy.

Forest, who received the Guinness world record The title of World's Oldest Working Female Comedian, will join Harry Friedman, Keith Fairfax, Tim Thompson, Mike Ellison, Emily Santos and Kathy Arnold for a comedy show on Saturday night at Sticks and Stones Comedy Club, presented by the Southampton Cultural Centre, located at 25 Pond Lane;

Forrest, who just celebrated her 90th birthday on July 31, has been hailed by critics as the “raunchy version of Betty White”.

According to her resume, Forest has appeared on SNL, Comedy Central and France's Incredible Talent. She regularly performs her signature stand-up act, complete with ukulele, at Gotham Comedy Club, The Broadway Comedy Club, Le Poisson Rouge and more.

Her popular one-woman show, “I Married a Nun” landed her on the same stage as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan and the late Joan Rivers. She also shared memories in her book, “I Did It My Ways,” she said.

Forrest, who grew up in the suburbs of Boston, left the US after a divorce and went to study abroad in Paris.

“Having fallen in love with the city, Forrest would fully embrace French culture, which would set the course for the rest of her career,” her bio reads.

Once back in the United States, Forrest performed as an international singer at golf clubs, country clubs, bars and restaurants. However, her life as a singer was cut short when the entertainment business in New York was shut down after the 9/11 attacks.

“With no idea that she had the ability to be funny, Forrest became what the world needed most at the time – a comedian,” her bio reads.

Ukulele in hand, Forrest put together a hysterical and risqué one-woman show that continues to draw crowds. She recently performed her new show 'D'yan Forest: 90 Years of Songs & Scandal' at Joe's Pub.

Speaking with Patch, Forest described the experience of pivoting from singing to stand-up.

“I went from singing to comedy because after 9/11, my singing and piano jobs were canceled. A lot of us musicians were out of business,” he said. “When I asked Caroline [Hirsch] of Caroline's Comedy Club how to get into comedy, got a coach to advise me on what I can do. I started making jokes about my age and then I put the song into comedy by parodying my ukulele, singing and playing. It worked great and they accepted me from the start to do this groundbreaking kind of comedy.”

She added that in her act today, she is able to incorporate all her talents. “I love doing comedy because I love hearing people laugh at me, not at me. It's been a big transition.”

Comedy's changed during its lifetime, Forest said.

“Now, comedy is done, most of the time, in the clubs where I work by very young people. Young friends with mustaches and beards in their 20s and young girls talking about their sex lives in their 20s. He seems to be getting younger and younger, so I'm a lot more curious because I'm 90 years old and I'm talking about these things.”

But her age doesn't stop Forrest from moving forward with her hilarious, and sometimes nasty, comedy.

“It's great being an old working comedian, because when I first walk into a club, people want to know which comic I am — and they have no idea I'm going to perform. When I get on stage, believe me, I'm totally blown away by my shtick and totally entertained by this old lady.

Foster describes how she manages to maintain such a high level of stamina on and off stage.

“I take 12 pills every morning and then I swim almost every day and walk at least nine holes on the golf course in the summer. I have mostly younger friends who entertain me and keep me active. I don't sit at home and just watch TV.”

The entertainment landscape has changed dramatically since she began her career, Forest said.

“The changes I've seen are that shows and movies are clearer. Nothing is off limits. You can do anything and everything now in the entertainment business — and I do.”

Over the years, Forrest said she has met many stars and famous people, both from comedy and film. “What I find is that everyone is the same when you get down to the person-to-person level. Even though they're famous, they're just average people with hopes and dreams like me.”

When asked about the secret to a long and happy life, Forrest laughed. “There is no secret, except that I have not smoked or drank much. It is not that I am pure, but since I was young, I felt that these things would not help my physical life. I continue sports, and I continue to I do my career because it makes me memorize and learn new things, so my brain stays active, I will never retire because I always have something to work on and look forward to.

Looking ahead, Forrest said: “My goals are to keep working, make my comedy and singing even more popular — and stay alive.”

Doors open at 7:30pm. for the show at 8 p.m. at Sticks and Stones Comedy Club in Southampton Cultural Center on Saturday night.

Doors open half an hour before the show so guests can mingle in the art gallery and enjoy drinks and snacks before show time.

Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased here.