Impersonator Charles Pierce discusses his life and career in this 1981 interview with Dick Cavett and performs his impressions of Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, and Joan Crawford.
I had the good fortune of seeing Charles Pierce perform in San Francisco in the late 1970's early 1980's. He was a phenomenal entertainer. Funny as hell.
I saw Charles in a New York club. He was absolutely hysterical, and completely spot on in his impersonations. It’s not easy to impress a New York crowd, but he received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his show.
"How nice. Really nice!" 🚬 I so wish I could've seen Charles Pierce perform live ( or even just learned of his existence before last week). Such a warm, intelligent, and elegant performer, his takes on Bette Davis and Mae West are sheer brilliance.
Wow! This is why I love the internet! Who the fuck would upload an interview with Charles fucking Pierce. First saw this amazing performer on an episode of Designing Women, where he played a cruise ship entertainer. Thanks for posting this gem.
One of the best birthday cards I ever saw had Charles Pierce (as Bette of course) on the cover looking at you, as only he could, along with the words "Another birthday? You've Never looked better!" And then you open the card and just one word. "Pity"
What a Master. Charles Pierce was phenomenal performer. Thank you for showing this so younger people can enjoy this and maybe watch more of this very talented man.
Bette Davis used to say, that she liked Charles Pearce because he did more of a riff on her rather than a straight out impersonation, she found Craig Russell for example harder to take because he did (what she perceived) a rip off of her work.
This is the first time I’ve even heard of Charles Pierce, let alone saw any anything he did. I’m a new fan. It’s a shame he’s no longer with us. 😢 Side note: he would have done excellent on Snatch Game on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
this is a must to watch its the one and only Mr. CHARLES PIERCE pass the word he was a Pioneer in his flied remember this was the 70's Prime TV Kudos to the best interviewer on TV now a day's this would be on Netflix March 2021
How tall was Charles Pierce? He looks much taller than Dick Cavett, while wearing flat shoes. I also think it shows Mr Pierce's principled approach that he insisted on mentioning his dresser.
Notice how Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead are so easily imitated with their schtick, gimmicky personalities, but Joan Crawford can not be imitated. The only imitation of Crawford isn't of her at all, but rather of Faye Dunaway. For all those who claim Joan was phony, I find it interesting that such a "phony" can't be imitated.
There is no one like Joan Crawford. One of a kind and a great actress. She should have been nominated for Whatever Happened To Baby Jane as well as Bette Davis. Joan Crawford's performances in Mildred Pierce, Humoresque, Possessed (both 1947 and 1931) Sudden Fear, Sadie Mackee, Autumn Leaves, Flamingo Road, Rain, and WHTBaby Jane are truly memorable. . Many people (mostly gays) have been demonizing her for years because that is what they enjoy doing. It's become old and boring. No matter what they do or say about Joan Crawford, these jealous haters will never destroy her legacy. Joan Crawford is unforgettable and her films will be preserved for younger generations to enjoy.
@@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr sounds like you not only don't know anything about Joan Crawford, you don't what someone "chemically imbalanced" would appear to be like. Typical Bette Davis cult member rhetoric...
@@TheConcludingChapterofCrawford - Blah blah blah .. lol.. does it really matter? Believe what you need to believe, I don't care. Sorry to absolutely ruin your November!
@@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr The only person here believing what they need to believe would be you. I have been researching Joan Crawford for over 22 years. I've interviewed close to 100 people who knew her, first-hand, including those she worked with. I am very aware of who Joan Crawford was, and the type of person she was based upon the statements of those who actually knew her. I don't need to believe the ranting lies of a disgruntled, unemployed, disinherited daughter.
Dick Cavett was obviously frightened by Charles. Putting his hands in his pockets and crossing his arms, and his legs away from Charles. Very awkward interview.
A documentary should be made about Charles Pierce. The man was brilliant and funny.
I had the good fortune of seeing Charles Pierce perform in San Francisco in the late 1970's early 1980's. He was a phenomenal entertainer. Funny as hell.
And you lived to tell it. Awesome!
I saw Charles in a New York club. He was absolutely hysterical, and completely spot on in his impersonations. It’s not easy to impress a New York crowd, but he received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his show.
"How nice. Really nice!" 🚬
I so wish I could've seen Charles Pierce perform live ( or even just learned of his existence before last week). Such a warm, intelligent, and elegant performer, his takes on Bette Davis and Mae West are sheer brilliance.
Wow! This is why I love the internet! Who the fuck would upload an interview with Charles fucking Pierce. First saw this amazing performer on an episode of Designing Women, where he played a cruise ship entertainer. Thanks for posting this gem.
I also posted several interviews of Charles Pierce with Skip E. Lowe.
Charles was so fast with his one liners, very funny in person, saw him once in San Francisco in the early 70’s
Charles was AMAZING..
and actually quite charming at a time when gay men were always the butt of some joke
The young people today would not understand these impersonations unless they studied Kate and Betty.
Brilliance!!
I’m 24, I’ve seen all of their films. I’m in the minority unfortunately.
@@MbartM96 Dont say unfortunately....its awesome you know these movies
well im 17 and i understand both Katharine and Bette aand Talullah as well.all because im a huge fan of Old hollywood
I'm 21 and have always preferred the glamorous actresses of old Hollywood, they made me the woman I am today.
I don't think BETTE would appreciate her name being misspelled in such a way.
One of the best birthday cards I ever saw had Charles Pierce (as Bette of course) on the cover looking at you, as only he could, along with the words "Another birthday? You've Never looked better!" And then you open the card and just one word. "Pity"
There are some wonderful clips on UA-cam of Charles Pierce at LA's Chandler Pavilion. He is hysterical as Bette Davis.
So true!
Love Charles Pierce , so missed
What a Master. Charles Pierce was phenomenal performer. Thank you for showing this so younger people can enjoy this and maybe watch more of this very talented man.
I had the good fortune of seeing him perform in the 70's. Just brilliant!
How did he learn to believe in himself at this point in time, it’s inspiring.
his Tallulah is my favorite. wish there had been more of her
In 1978, I saw Charles perform at the Back Lot nightclub located in the Studio One disco building. So much fun.
Bette Davis used to say, that she liked Charles Pearce because he did more of a riff on her rather than a straight out impersonation, she found Craig Russell for example harder to take because he did (what she perceived) a rip off of her work.
This is the first time I’ve even heard of Charles Pierce, let alone saw any anything he did. I’m a new fan. It’s a shame he’s no longer with us. 😢 Side note: he would have done excellent on Snatch Game on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Genius. Absolute genius. A master of comedy.
Dick Cavitt is and was the best interviewer w/celebrities march 2021
best drag show i ever saw, plush room in frisco
this is a must to watch its the one and only Mr. CHARLES PIERCE pass the word he was a Pioneer in his flied remember this was the 70's Prime TV Kudos to the best interviewer on TV now a day's this would be on Netflix March 2021
after all these years god bless
Love it. A film should be done about Charles. I think he was brilliant.
Thank you so much for posting this! Charles Pierce is one of my heroes! ♥️❤️♥️
What a comic side of Dick Cavett!
Thank you for this treasure, Alan!
What a treasure
He was fantastic RIP
Fabulous ,can’t better it
Just what I needed
Thank you!
BRILLIANT!
Charles was so lovable. Such a goofball.
Fantastic xx
so good!! 😂 i'm dying 🤣🤣
I swear Bette Davis watched Charles to perfect her Bette Davis!
I find it fascinating how people react to him // impersonating .........so glad it's a Regular thing these days...its not a circus act
I wished he came out as Mae West!
SAD! Why is the sound so very low? 😐
Please do upload it again with better sound adjustment! 🙏
I just love this old-style gay humor...it died out in the late 1990s, replaced by humorless political correctness.
Boo you're lame
He's very good as Bette & Katharine. He looks a little like Robert Helpman who played the child snatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
need to read Tallulah Bankhead Bio what alife she had staying in Hotels and not paying for it april 2021
How tall was Charles Pierce? He looks much taller than Dick Cavett, while wearing flat shoes. I also think it shows Mr Pierce's principled approach that he insisted on mentioning his dresser.
Notice how Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead are so easily imitated with their schtick, gimmicky personalities, but Joan Crawford can not be imitated. The only imitation of Crawford isn't of her at all, but rather of Faye Dunaway.
For all those who claim Joan was phony, I find it interesting that such a "phony" can't be imitated.
There is no one like Joan Crawford. One of a kind and a great actress. She should have been nominated for Whatever Happened To Baby Jane as well as Bette Davis. Joan Crawford's performances in Mildred Pierce, Humoresque, Possessed (both 1947 and 1931) Sudden Fear, Sadie Mackee, Autumn Leaves, Flamingo Road, Rain, and WHTBaby Jane are truly memorable. . Many people (mostly gays) have been demonizing her for years because that is what they enjoy doing. It's become old and boring. No matter what they do or say about Joan Crawford, these jealous haters will never destroy her legacy. Joan Crawford is unforgettable and her films will be preserved for younger generations to enjoy.
Oh, I don't know.. While it is very tricky to imitate someone with a severe chemical imbalance.. Charles does it wonderfully.
@@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr sounds like you not only don't know anything about Joan Crawford, you don't what someone "chemically imbalanced" would appear to be like.
Typical Bette Davis cult member rhetoric...
@@TheConcludingChapterofCrawford - Blah blah blah .. lol.. does it really matter? Believe what you need to believe, I don't care. Sorry to absolutely ruin your November!
@@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr The only person here believing what they need to believe would be you. I have been researching Joan Crawford for over 22 years. I've interviewed close to 100 people who knew her, first-hand, including those she worked with. I am very aware of who Joan Crawford was, and the type of person she was based upon the statements of those who actually knew her. I don't need to believe the ranting lies of a disgruntled, unemployed, disinherited daughter.
Oh look, no political agenda. So refreshing.
Dick Cavett was obviously frightened by Charles. Putting his hands in his pockets and crossing his arms, and his legs away from Charles. Very awkward interview.
Cavett is genuinely uncomfortable!
Does anybody remember whether the dick Cavett show was a daily show, or was it a once-a-week sort of thing?
Nightly, first on ABC and then PBS
Seems like I remember him being on in the afternoon too
Was there ever a Worse Interviewer than Cavett? "You, in fact, were Eve" (Seriously ??)
I think he did it better than Bette.
=M=
GREAT SHOW WITH DICK CAVETT AND CHARLES PIERCE THE ONLY THING IS BECAUSE OF PBS HE HAD TO WATER HIS ACT DOWN "OH PVS WHAT A DUMP"
Aparantly Bette hated impressions of her ..
He was the worst interviewer ever
Dick Cavett was such a damn boring man... how in the hell did he get a talk show to begin with? It must have been a sick joke.