031 - Rebel with Applause with JoAnne Astrow

Jennifer welcomes a very special MILF, JoAnne Astrow. JoAnne is the mother of actor Claudia Lonow, who also appeared as a guest on a previous episode. With a career in show business spanning over 50 years, JoAnne has proven to be the true embodiment of a rebel and pioneer. Raised in a household of humble means, JoAnne didn’t receive much support from her family when she decided to pursue acting. However, that did not deter her from blossoming into a hilarious stand-up comedian and actor over the course of her career. JoAnne has faced many challenges along her journey and always seems to combat them with a lively personality and an unparalleled love for life.

In this episode, Jennifer and JoAnne talk all about her career as an actor, stand-up comedian, and talent manager. A lifelong New Yorker, JoAnne recalls how difficult it was to make the move to Los Angeles. However, it proved to be one of the best things that could have happened to her and her daughter, Claudia. JoAnne speaks to the positive and negative impacts of living through the women’s movement and sexual revolution of the ‘60s. She discusses what life was like for women before the landmark Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade. JoAnne talks about her love of comedy and the struggles she faced as a woman doing standup in the 1980s. Finally, JoAnne tells the story of how she met and fell in love with her husband of fifty years, Mark Lonow. In addition to being life partners, JoAnne and Mark also work together in the entertainment industry. They now invest in plays, one of which, The Prom, recently opened on Broadway and is getting rave reviews.

Full show notes: https://milfpodcast.com/31