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 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 and Joan Crawford, which became the drag queen canon. His act was centered on wit rather than accurate mimicry.
The Charles Pierce Papers (http://digilib.nypl.org/dynaweb/ead/nypl/thecpierce/@Generic--BookTextView/1;) at the Billy Rose Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts
Charles P. Pierce was born December 28, 1953 in Worcester, MA.
CharlesPierce is the recipient of numerous professional awards and honors.
CharlesPierce lives in metro Boston with at least some of his three children all of the time, a malfunctioning Toro lawnmower and his extremely long-suffering wife.
Pierce revered the timing of Jack Benny and Bea Arthur; and many in his audience recognized that beneath the dresses, wigs, and lipstick was a comic mastermind.
Pierce not only had difficulty with strict cross-dressing ordinances around the country, but he also was sometimes attacked by some members of the gay community.
CharlesPierce wanted to be remembered as an actor who made his living doing "some really good impressions." His pioneering work as a camp gender illusionist paved the way for Charles Busch, RuPaul, and Lady Bunny, among many others.
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