Filmmaker: Charles Pierce

Charles Pierce

Gender:

Male

Awards/Recognition:

UCLA Film & Television Archive list of titled amateur films

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Profession:

Female Impersonator

Biographical Notes:

"The blazing career of self-proclaimed “male actress” Charles Pierce was launched in the clubs of San Francisco around the time the struggle for gay rights was kicked into full gear with the Stonewall riots on the opposite coast. With his dead-on satirical send-ups of screen immortals such as Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Tallulah Bankhead, Pierce quickly earned a devoted fan following and it was common to see celebrities of the day (ranging from Lucille Ball to Anthony Hopkins) in his audience. One celebrity admirer, Bea Arthur, became a very close friend and paid tribute to him in her one-woman show. Before his death in 1999, Pierce had also racked up an impressive acting resume with guest spots on popular TV series Laverne & Shirley and Designing Women and in Harvey Fierstein’s seminal queer film Torch Song Trilogy."

Pierce appears in the 1965 amateur parody film Schizo.

Bibliographic Resources:

Chris Freeman, "Charles Pierce, The Great 'Male Actress,' Continues To Influence Drag Performers Everywhere," Queerty, May 8, 2016.