Suzanne Muldowney

Suzanne Muldowney (born August 13, 1952), nicknamed Underdog Lady or simply Underdog, is a performance artist known for her appearances in parades in various cities throughout the year in her elaborate homemade costumes. She often dresses as the cartoon character Underdog. She came to national attention through her appearances on and calls to ''The Howard Stern Show'' to discuss and perform her dance interpretation of Underdog. There she was given the nickname "Underdog Lady", though she personally rejects this name and prefers to be referred to as simply "Underdog" when wearing the costume.

History

A longtime resident of Delran Township, New Jersey, Muldowney studied ballet as a child, and began performing interpretive dances of fictional characters in 1976. By 1980, she was appearing at costume contests at science fiction conventions. It was during this time that Muldowney started performing as the cartoon superhero Underdog.William H. Sokolic. "Underdog gives woman new leash on life". ''Courier Post''. April 17, 1999. 2B. She has explained in an interview, "I try to do certain movements that simulate flight and heroism. I'll make like I'm flying by doing leaps and other things. I also will do some camel spins. Basically I do movements that best portray Underdog. I try to do him more refined and sophisticated than the original character was."Bob Cooney. "Big fat close-up". ''Philadelphia Daily News''. October 1, 1999. 60.

In 1987, Muldowney began appearing in seasonal parades up and down the East Coast. Though her most famous dance interpretation is of Underdog, she has also portrayed Dracula, Catwoman, and Supergirl, along with self-created characters such as Shelley the South Jersey Shore Mermaid, Irish Cinderella, and Spectrum the Ghost King. She sews all her own costumes, which are known for their exacting detail and elaborate ornamentation. For example, the interior of her Underdog cape is lined with streaks of silver, representing the streaks of light trailing behind the animated Underdog.

Muldowney's earliest television appearances were on the public-access program ''Beyond Vaudeville''. Her first appearance was in 1986 and she continued to appear on the show through 1996. She also appeared in live stage versions of the show at New York University (1986-1990), Stand Up New York (1991), and Caroline's Comedy Club (1992-1994). She also appeared on ''Oddville, MTV''.

Muldowney made several appearances on Howard Stern's radio and television shows throughout the 1990s. A serious performer, she regrets her association with the program because of Stern's lewd jokes, and has called him her "nemesis". In 2006, she appeared as a guest on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!''"'My Life as Underdog' documentary Saturday". ''The Press of Atlantic City''. November 1, 2006. C3. to demonstrate a new form of dancing she called "figure jogging".

In 2006, the documentary ''My Life as an Underdog'' was released by director Boris Gavrilovic.

Muldowney has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.Super Heroes to Unite at 2006 NJ State Film Festival!
New Jersey State Film Festival. Retrieved on April 7, 2009.

References

External links

Muldowneyville website
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Baltimore City Paper article

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muldowney, Suzanne
1952 births
20th-century American artists
20th-century American women artists
21st-century American artists
21st-century American women artists
American performance artists
American women performance artists
Artists from New Jersey
Living people
People from Delran Township, New Jersey
People from Maple Shade Township, New Jersey
People with Asperger syndrome
Autistic artists
American autistic people
American artists with disabilities
American radio DJs
American women radio hosts