By: Lorri Jayleen
On July 31st, D’yan Forest will debut her new show: “D’yan Forest: A Gefilte Fish Out of Water” at the iconic Joe’s Pub in celebration of her 91st birthday and another year as the Guinness World Record for Oldest Working Comedian.
Forest, who has been donned “the filthy Betty White” title, has not let this year slow her down. Her chic outfits, staple ukulele, and glamorous 90-year-old self-continue to grace the stages of iconic NYC venues such as The Wild Project, Gotham Comedy Club and Joe’s Pub at Astor Place.
“One percent of people my age are alive, the rest are dead,” said Forest in an interview with Forbes last year, claiming that it is crucial for people to remain active after turning 65. Her active lifestyle and pacemaker have prevented Forest from slowing down in the slightest – seemingly, she is speeding herself up.
Although born in the suburbs of Boston, D’yan has lived a life quite far from that of a typical New Englander. Her new show, “A Gefilte Fish out of Water,” will feature the trials and tribulations of being a jew. It’s never been easy being a Jew, but after 91 years, D’yan can laugh about it. And so will the audience, as D’yan gives us her uncensored take on being a Jew in America, with stories, songs, and plenty of jokes. The world may be in a tragic place right now, but D’yan’s definitely not. Tragedy? Schmadgedy! Let’s laugh about it!
Forest continues her regimen of swimming at Equinox on Greenwich Ave, memorizing her jokes and songs, and, ultimately, living a life of consistent rejuvenation.
“D’yan Forest: A Gefilte Fish Out of Water” was written by Forest and Stephen Clarke, bestselling author of A Year in the Merde.
Tickets are priced at $30 and can be purchased here with doors opening at 6 pm: https://publictheater.org/performances-jp/2025/d/d-yan-forest-a-gefilte-fish-out-of-water/
Joe’s Pub is located at 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place).
You can learn more about D’yan Forest by visiting her website here: www.dyanforest.com/ or follow her on Instagram at @dyanforestwriter.
About D’yan Forest:
D’yan Forest was raised as a provincial girl in the conservative suburbs of Boston. After a “scandalous” divorce for the time and two years of oral French lessons, Forest got on a five-day boat ride to study abroad in Paris. After falling in love with the city, Forest would then fully embrace the French culture, which would determine the trajectory of the rest of her career.
Back in the US, Forest performed as an international singer at golf clubs, country clubs, bars, and restaurants. Her life as a singer was cut short when the entertainment business was in New York. The city was brought to a halt after the 9/11 attacks. With no idea that she had the capability to be funny, Forest became what the world needed the most at that time: a comedian. With her ukulele in hand, Forest put together a hysterical and risqué one-woman show, which caught on quickly.
COVID-19 got Forest wondering what else she could do with all of her wonderfully hilarious stories from life. I Did it My Ways is the culmination of her sitcom-worthy life events, now available for all to read. But this book is no indication that the 90-year-old is done taking to the stage. Her act, “Swinging on the Seine,” can still be seen in New York and Paris at some of the most famed comedy clubs.
