Albert “Chalky” Wright (1912–1957) was an American featherweight boxer who fought from 1928 to 1948 and held the world featherweight championship in 1941–1942. His career record was 171 wins (with 87 knockouts), 46 losses and 19 draws.
In the 1930s, Wright became friendly with actress Mae West (1893–1980). West was a boxing fan and helped to finance Wright’s boxing career. He eventually became her live-in bodyguard and chauffeur for a time. The two reportedly began a romantic relationship though both publicly denied this.
In an era when Hollywood was obsessed with appearances and racial lines were strictly drawn, their relationship stood out as an act of quiet defiance. Their story wasn’t just controversial—it was courageous.
When the management at West’s Los Angeles residence, the Ravenswood Apartments, refused to allow Wright, a Black man, into her apartment, West responded by buying the entire building to ensure he had unrestricted access.
Wright also played a key role in protecting her from threats; in 1935, he assisted law enforcement during a sting operation against a would-be extortionist targeting West, planting a decoy purse near the Warner Brothers studio to catch the suspect.
Mae West may have broken all the rules, but what truly mattered to her was loyalty, justice, and standing by those who stood by her. And in Chalky Wright, she found a partner who did just that—with strength, dignity, and unwavering presence.
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The 2nd picture is Jean Harlowe with a man who is not Mr. Wright.
ReplyDeleteMae West was unique for her time. In the late teens - early 20s she went from Vaudeville to Broadway, always provocative, always controversial. She was unabashedly sexy & took roles in plays so shocking for the times that production was halted. She was even arrested in NYC for indecency after appearing on stage. And she only loved the publicity.
Mae championed gays, people of color. Kept her beloved mother with her always, intelligently managed her own career & business interests & lived her life as a wantonly free spirit on her own terms.
Which was very shocking to a lot of people.
The closest parallel to her is Dietrich, but Dietrich was famously vain, selfish & emotionally cold. No one could say those things about Mae.