Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Drag History Diva-Charles Pierce



Charles Pierce was one of the 20th century's foremost female impersonators and drag, and a pioneer if you will, for future drag queens. Charles was particularly noted for his impersonation of Bette Davis which got him famous in the cities around the world. Born in Watertown, New York, he began his show business career playing the organ and acting in radio dramas at station WWNY. He branched out into a comedy routine, attired in tuxedo, yet managing to evoke eerily convincing imitations of popular movie actresses. Eschewing the term drag queen, which he hated, he billed himself as a male actress.



Initially playing in small gay clubs, his fame spread. He took up residence in San Francisco, California, where his act became very well-known to Hollywood stars. As he toured, his costuming became more elaborate, initially adding small props, later full costume and makeup changes. His imitations were imitated by other female impersonators, and his roles included Bette Davis, Mae West, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Carol Channing, Katharine Hepburn, and Joan Crawford, which became the drag queen canon. His act was centered on wit rather than accurate mimicry, though it was often said that he looked more like Joan Collins than did Joan Collins herself.



He was a guest actor on an episode of TV's Wonder Woman and played a cross-dressing villain in an episode of Laverne & Shirley. Pierce also appeared on an early episode of the hit 80's TV sitcom Designing Women as a steward on a cruise ship. During the episode, he imitates Joan Collins and Bette Davis. As Davis he quips: "Was that Joan Collins hustling the tables? One bitch on this boat is enough!"

Charles with the fabulous Craig Russel.


He died in North Hollywood, California, aged 72, and was cremated. His ashes were interred in the Columbarium of Providence, Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. In Bea Arthur's Tony Award-nominated one-woman show, Just Between Friends, which she played on Broadway and in London's West End, Arthur performs Pierce's favorite joke, A Mother's Ingenuity. It can be heard in the CD soundtrack.

14 comments:

  1. We saw the Bea Arthur show a couple of times, and the Charles Pierce joke was fabulous.
    Just as fabulous as the man, or woman, himself.

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  2. Great one liners and double entendres!

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  3. The video is pricless! He was very good and I so remember that Designing Women show too.Charles pierce was, in every sense of the word, a great artist! The stars are a little less bright since his passing.

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  4. great show and video.Thank you for posting it.

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  5. Woberful post Mistress, I even shed a tear as I have fond memories of Charles!I knew Mr. Pierce casually. My lover did some of his wigs. I saw this performance once live. He was a very nice and kind man.

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  6. WOW! I have never heard of him but after this I have been you tubing him. WOW!Charles...what a legend!!He was never 'vulgar' and always seemed to 'acquit' himself with such dignity and copious amounts of 'class' (a minority these days it would seem)! He really was 'up there'...not just mimicking a 'star' ,but actually ONE of them himself!!You have made a great choice with this post. Charles was/IS an absolutely brilliant guy...sorely missed!!

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  7. Only the BEST impressionist ever! Nobody comes even close to his Joan or Bette!

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  8. You can count on one hand the performers who you can watch again and again, wait for, anticipate dialogue, recite that dialogue...and laugh out loud each and every time! Charles is one finger on that hand....and guess which one he would want to be! He has so much charm and class!

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  9. A great talent
    A true Gentleman
    and a personal inspiration
    thank you so much for posting it!!!

    damn he's so amazing!!!!

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  10. Another wonderful piece! Thanks for these.

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  11. Thanks for all your feedback on these. I so enjoy drag and it's lifestyle and love to spread the history when I can!

    Kisses!

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  12. Fantabulous, Mistress!
    I could recognize Bette davis just by looking at the photo~ such amazing talent!

    xo*

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  13. Charles Pierce is just an amazing part of the history of drag, and of the LGBT community. Legendary, indeed.

    BTW, I have an award post, which you are a part of. Mwah!

    http://soundtracktomyday.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-spatula-award.html

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!