HISTORIC & CUSTOM RIDES OF L.A.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Evil E | L.A. Derby Dolls
NHM Online Presents L.A. on Wheels, an online series celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles and its people through the lens of creative modes of transportation.
Else "Evil E" Duff loves the city of Los Angeles—every gritty, glamorous, and unpredictable part of it. As the announcer for the L.A. Derby Dolls, Evil E has become a staple in the city’s roller derby scene, where fierce competition meets tight-knit camaraderie.
Watch the video below to hear Evil E share her own story about the strength, empowerment, and family that is the L.A. Derby Dolls.
TOUGH LOVE
For Evil E, Los Angeles isn’t just her home; it’s a source of endless energy and creativity. She finds strength in its diversity, where every neighborhood has a story and every person brings something different to the table. The city’s hustle fuels her drive, and its mix of chaos and opportunity mirrors the sport she’s devoted her life to: roller derby.
Most people think that you should see Los Angeles on four wheels. I'd argue that you should see it on eight!
L.A. Derby Dolls
The Derby Dolls league marked its 20th anniversary in 2023. Evil E is very proud to have helped build the league by holding team member yards sales and innumerable fundraising events in the early days of L.A. roller derby.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Junior Derby Dolls practice their skating skills while learning teamwork and strategies needed to play roller derby - one of the world’s fastest-growing women’s sports.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Over two decades of building community in Los Angeles, the L.A. Derby Dolls went from one of three modern roller derby leagues in the U.S. to gaining international recognition and a formidable reputation.
In 1976, a young Else watched in awe as Farrah Fawcett’s character, Jill Munroe, joined a roller derby team in the Charlie’s Angels episode Angels on Wheels. After that, she was hooked! As an adult, Evil E fell in love with the sport not just for the thrilling matches or jaw-dropping athleticism, but for the powerful community of skaters, volunteers, and fans who make it feel like family. To her, the Derby Dolls are L.A. writ large—tough, bold, and unapologetically unique.
Else Duff
After the 1976 Charlie’s Angels roller derby episode, young Else just had to have a Farrah Fawcett poster to decorate her childhood bedroom.
Else Duff
"As a young girl", Evil E quips, "cats and roller skating were my life!" Even now as an adult, the old metal strap-on skates worn in this childhood photo are a treasured keepsake.
When I found out about the Derby Dolls starting in 2003, it was something I immediately wanted to do. I had my skates; I was ready!
ROLLING THROUGH HISTORY
Roller derby’s roots trace back to the 1880s, when America’s obsession with roller skating sparked multi-day endurance races for cash prizes. Spectators loved the thrill of speed and the inevitable spills, and by 1922, these events were called “derbies.” By 1935, Chicago promoter Leo Seltzer transformed it into a full-contact sport with dynamic team play.
In the 1960s, Los Angeles took the spotlight with Roller Games that gave the sport a theatrical flair and television appeal, solidifying L.A.’s reputation as a hub for innovation and spectacle. By the early 1970s, roller derby was a nationwide sensation. L.A.’s innovation helped shape roller derby into a spectacle that continues to inspire modern versions of the sport today.
Library of Congress
In 1948, roller derby debuted on television for the first time. In 1950, the National Roller Derby League season playoffs sold out New York’s Madison Square Garden for a week. The influence of this new, fast-paced spectator sport extended far beyond the rink, inspiring countless skaters and teams around the globe. The skaters flashy style, fierce rivalries, and mix of athleticism and entertainment—on full display in this 1950 bout—turned roller derby into a cultural movement, leaving a legacy that continues to roll strong today.
Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection, CC BY 4.0, UCLA Library
The Los Angeles Thunderbirds (pictured here in a 1983 bout) debuted in 1961 with both men’s and women’s squads, redefining roller derby forever. During roller derby’s heyday in the 1960s and early ’70s, the T-Birds (as they were affectionately known) became "America’s Team," electrifying audiences with their thrilling matches and unmatched showmanship. The T-Birds’ impact is especially evident in modern roller derby, with teams like the L.A. Derby Dolls carrying the torch.
L.A. had such a rich history with the T-Birds. There were so many strong women who participated in it throughout history…and it has just been an honor to carry on the traditions.
Welcome to the Doll Factory
After fading in popularity in the 1980s, roller derby was reborn in the early 2000s in Austin, Texas, as a grassroots, all-female, and amateur sport. This modern revival spread quickly, embracing inclusivity, empowerment, and DIY ethics. Today, the vibrant roller derby culture thrives in Los Angeles, with teams like the L.A. Derby Dolls carrying the torch of this fast-paced, community-driven sport.
The Derby Dolls blend the athleticism of modern derby with the entertainment flair pioneered by the T-Birds. They’ve reignited local passion for the sport, with banked-track matches at their home track The Doll Factory (located in Historic Filipinotown) that bring the same energy, drama, and excitement the T-Birds made famous.
L.A. Derby Dolls
The L.A. Derby Dolls built their first banked track themselves. It was a labor of love for the early members who came together to provide supplies and their DIY skills to literally build the team from the ground up.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Roller derby fans are just as dedicated to the sport as the players are. Just like the skaters, enforcers, and volunteers, fans come from all walks of life to enjoy a live bout at The Doll House.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Each roller derby player has their own derby name, number and calling card. Evil E's motto on the track is "I tried being reasonable, I didn't like it." Having skated with the L.A. Derby dolls for over 20 years, Evil E's collection of L.A. Derby Dolls memorabilia has turned her Hollywood apartment into the unofficial L.A. Derby Dolls archives.
In derby, you learn how to collaborate, how to talk to each other, how to use teamwork, how to recognize your weaknesses and your strengths, and how to make that into a team.
ROLLER DERBY ACTION
Evil E has been a pivotal figure in the L.A. Derby Dolls' 20-year history, serving as a skater-turned-announcer whose whimsical voice and engaging commentary have become synonymous with the excitement of the bouts.
Her deep connection to the Derby Dolls is evident in her long-standing commitment, as she has been with the organization since its early days. Evil E's love for the sport and the community shines through in her work, as she brings the action to life for fans, introducing skaters with their often-irreverent nicknames and capturing the energy of the matches.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Beyond her role as an announcer, Evil E has contributed to the Derby Dolls' media presence, writing, producing, and voicing content that highlights the team's activities and the sport's dynamics.
L.A. Derby Dolls
For Evil E, the L.A. Derby Dolls are family. "Getting to skate with them or getting to announce their games…has been just such a complete honor", she says.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Today, the L.A. Derby Dolls' 150 adult and junior skaters "center feminism within athletics through community, growth, and leadership opportunities".
BLOOD, SWEAT, AND WHEELS
Since 2003, the L.A. Derby Dolls have been Southern California’s powerhouse for banked-track roller derby. Founded by Rebecca "Demolicious" Ninburg and Wendy "Thora Zeen" Templeton, this volunteer-run league has grown into a vibrant community of adult and junior skaters, referees, and trainers. Known for their high-speed, full-contact matches on a DIY-built banked track, the Dolls deliver action-packed entertainment at breakneck speeds.
But the Derby Dolls are more than just a league—they’re a force for community empowerment. Through their mission of fostering inclusivity, leadership, and athletic growth, the Dolls create a space for connection and belonging. Their state-of-the-art training programs, workshops, and introductory classes help skaters hone skills while inspiring confidence and resilience.
We have always bonded with the community and the people in it because we want to support each other.
L.A. Derby Dolls
The L.A. Junior Derby Dolls, an extension of the L.A. Derby Dolls, offer girls aged 7 to 17 the opportunity to learn and play banked-track roller derby. They focus on teaching skating skills, teamwork, and strategy, providing a supportive environment for young athletes.
L.A. Derby Dolls
Beyond sports, the program emphasizes empowerment, community involvement, leadership, and athleticism, helping participants build confidence and resilience.
L.A. Derby Dolls
By engaging in this dynamic sport, young girls become part of a community that values inclusivity and personal growth, making the L.A. Junior Derby Dolls a vital organization for youth development in Los Angeles.
FAST, FIERCE, AND FULL CONTACT FUN
Evil E truly embodies the Derby Dolls’ core values of SWEAT: Sport, Wellness, Empowerment, Athletic Expression, and Tenacity. Whether it’s through bone-crushing hits on the track or their work building healthier communities, she loves the L.A. Derby Dolls for their unstoppable force of feminism, athleticism, and DIY spirit.
Through every hard-fought jam and triumphant call, Evil E celebrates the city she loves and the sport that captured her heart. For Evil E, announcing roller derby isn’t just the greatest volunteer gig ever—it’s a love letter to Los Angeles, a city that’s just as loud, fast, and full of personality as the game itself.
I just love the city and everything it has to offer. I think for a bank track roller derby, like the L.A. Derby Dolls, there is nothing as unique as the city itself and how we've reflected it in our history.
Grant Palmer
For Evil E, being a part of the L.A. Derby Dolls is also being part of the history of Los Angeles.
Marc Campos
In 2009, with the launch of the roller derby film Whip It, a cast party was held at an exposition scrimmage between the Tough Cookies and the Varsity Brawlers at The Doll Factory.
Keep on Rollin’
Learn more about the L.A. Derby Dolls and check out a local bout this season! You can even strap on your own pair of skates and see the city from a new angle: one on eight wheels! Do you know another Angeleno who connects with their community on wheels? We want to hear from you! Join the conversation on social media and tag us @NHMLA with #LAonWheels.
