Pierce, Charles, 1926-1999

Charles Pierce, female impressionist and actor, was born in Watertown, New York in 1926.

Charles Pierce performed in nightclubs across the United States since 1954. His early impressions were done with props and puppets. During the 1960's he began to don full female costumes for his act and became well known for his portrayals of Joan Collins, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Mae West, and other Hollywood legends. His acting credits include stage, movie, and television roles. Charles Pierce died in North Hollywood, California on May 31, 1999.

From the description of Charles Pierce papers, 1954-1998. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 144652514

Biography

Charles Pierce, impressionist and comedian, was one of the foremost American female impersonators in the second half of the 20th century. Born in Watertown, New York, on July 14, 1926, he started his acting career at the Pasadena Playhouse in the early 1950s. During this period, he was inspired by several nightclub acts in Los Angeles to develop his own act. His first professional performance was at Café La Vie in Altadena, California, in 1954. Because of laws against cross-dressing, Pierce performed in a tuxedo with accessories such as a boa, hats, and pocketbooks. It was not until ten years after he began his career that Pierce donned full female costumes, reflecting changes in legislation that had made such acts legal. Pierce had lengthy and celebrated engagements at various venues including the Plush Room in San Francisco's York Hotel in the early 1980s, and engagements at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room and New York's Top of the Gate and The Ballroom. His portrayals included Tallulah Bankhead, Carol Channing, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, and Mae West. He appeared on numerous television shows (not always in drag), including Fame, Laverne and Shirley, Designing Women, Starsky & Hutch, and Love, American Style . His films include Rabbit Test (1978), Torch Song Trilogy (1988), and Nerds of a Feather (1990). He also issued several recordings, including Live at Bimbo's (circa 1972) on the Blue Thumb label, and a video, Charles Pierce at The Ballroom (1988). He died in North Hollywood, California, on May 31, 1999, at the age of 72.

Sócrates Silva

From the guide to the Charles Pierce Photographs, Papers, Costumes, and Memorabilia, circa 1850-2000., 1970-1990., (ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.)

Charles Pierce, female impressionist and actor, was born on July 14, 1926 in Watertown, New York. He was educated in Watertown, and worked at the local radio station WWNY while still a high school student. After graduation, he moved to California to attend the Pasadena Playhouse drama school. From the Pasadena Playhouse, he moved on to stage work in Newport, Rhode Island, and New York City, eventually returning to the Pasadena Playhouse as an actor in the early 1950s. It was during this period that he began to develop his nightclub act. His Sunday afternoon engagements at Club La Vie in Altadena were so successful, that the Club created a stage for him. He began a long engagement there in September, 1954.

His early impressions were done with props and puppets, and it wasn't until he'd been performing for more than ten years that he began to don full female costumes for his act. This change reflects the evolution of Pierce's impressions, but also the changes in legislation which earlier made such an act illegal in many states. As a female impressionist (or male actress, as he referred to himself at one time), Pierce was best known for his roles as Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West, and Joan Collins. His career, which spanned over four decades, took him to clubs around the United States and also to London where he appeared at the Fortune Theatre and the Country Cousin Cabaret. He is particularly well-known in San Francisco where he has performed regularly over the past 35 years.

In addition to his nightclub act, Pierce appeared as Margo Channing in Applause . His television credits during the 1970's and 1980's include Fame, Starsky & Hutch, Laverne and Shirley, Love, American Style, and Designing Women . In 1988 he appeared in the screen adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy . Throughout his career, Charles Pierce has been recognized not only for his impressions, but also for his skill as an actor and performer.

From the guide to the Charles Pierce papers, 1954-1998, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)