Jim Madaus; Comedian

Jim Madaus, a comedian and female impersonator who performed nationwide, has died in San Francisco. He was 54.

Madaus, a resident of North Hollywood, died Sept. 17 of a heart attack, said his mother, Grace Pederson.

Born on New Year’s Day, 1936, in Chicago, he moved to Los Angeles as a child. He graduated from Whittier Union High School in 1953 and soon began performing comedy and female impersonations, starting with his version of Shirley Temple singing “The Good Ship Lollipop.” Known as Big Jimmy, he performed on stage throughout the U.S. and Canada, including at the Queen Mary in Studio City. For six months in the late 1980s, he appeared in “La Cage Aux Folles” at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, his mother said.

He is survived by his mother, Grace Pederson of Hollywood; brother Jack Madaus of Kingman, Ariz.; and sister Jean Hunten of Lakeside, Calif.

A memorial service is scheduled at 4 p.m. Saturday at Praiswater Funeral Home, 5849 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys. Burial will be private. Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Madaus’ name to the Los Angeles Mission.