Charles Pierce, Chandler Pavilion 2

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 1982. Pierce always saved the irreverent Bette Davis impression for last. His devoted audiences would not let him off stage until he smoked at least one cigarette in the nervous and distinctive style of the temperamental star of "All About Eve" and "Now, Voyager." There had to be at least three or four cutthroat remarks made about legendary rival Joan Crawford. His audience always looked forward to Pierce's irreverent scenes adapted from "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane" in which Joan Crawford was teamed with rival Bette Davis. Then there was the moment when he asked the audience to "recite along" with one of the campiest lines in "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane." The musical director is Michael Biagi. Before his death, Pierce donated his papers to the Billy Rose Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center. For more tributes, go to www.bochynski.com/charlespierce. Before his death, Pierce donated his papers to the Billy Rose Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center. For more tributes, go to www.bochynski.com/charlespierce.

[@paulfredine7063]

one of the most brilliant stage performers of all time. his bette is priceless.

[@jcamisa50]

It's sad Charles is gone. I just love when he does Bette Davis.

[@garyschneider2170]

When I was playing at Gold Street (1971-1972) Charles came in to do his show. I loved working with him. He was very kind to me. I was very young and trying hard to make it. The one thing that I had to overcome, was that Charles was "tone deaf"....so that while accompanying him, I had to stress the melody instead of just playing background. He would come to my house in Alameda and I'd fix dinner for both of us. Many happy memories. Gary Schneider

[@8aa17]

what a memory to treasure.

[@hankaustin7091]

dude.. that's you at the piano?? if so, HOT STUFF!

[@madeleinebelle2105]

nice story/memory Garyx

[@michelleregis6181]

you lucky lucky person !

[@giovanniserafino1731]

In impersonating Betty Davis , Charles Pierce was able to perfectly incorporate Bettty Davis's slight New England accent which hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts she had all her life. Excellent impersonation!

[@omarchandler4983]

I was waiting for “Joan Crawford.” “Dead, you know.”

[@7739299926]

omar chandler my favorite line of the entire video!!

[@rennedelorean3341]

We spent Easter Week in San Francisco one year. Didn't know anything, didn't plan anything (we were from LA) but somehow we had the best time in SF. Just by chance we stumbled into the 'Gilded Cage' and discovered Charles Pierce on stage, needles to say were overwhelmed by his performance and his fabulous sense of humour. We were there every nite to catch his performance! I've loved him ever since and caught his Show at 'The Back Lot' here in West Hollywood. Bye Charles, you're the best, love you . . .

[@chrisalpha9989]

His Crawford impersonation was high key spot on tho

[@donaldhaynes8317]

I seen him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with Sally Rand in the 70's, wonderful show!

[@michelleregis6181]

Ive never knew much about Charles Pierce untill the advent of the internet. He was so proffessional his stage precsence was fabulous. I particularly loved his Bette Davis it was right to the tea

[@jackiekidwell5004]

So good, I forget I'm really not watching Bette Davis !! 😮😮😊😊Very, very talented and convincing !!

[@davefuller3311]

He is just fantastic! Rest In Peace, Charles

[@davidallen508]

The real B.D.bores me these days but I could watch this impersonation again and again.Brilliant.

[@TheBlazingAngel]

That was simply brilliant. Nobody does Bette better than Charles Pierce. First class.

[@dplomin1954]

I had the honor of seeing Charles at Town Hall in NYC in 1984 for the show, NIGHT OF A HUNDRED DRAG QUEENS.....Great show!

[@himfanatic5]

Amazing guy. I was born on that yr and I never knew him. But i LOVE drags and female impersonators. and its sad I found this so later in life :(. I would of loved to have seen the shows in my youth. ;)

[@bigred8432]

He is just incredible. The writing is just brilliant

[@robinmcbroom5994]

Such a fantastic talent...thank you for posting. xxx

[@aboyntheband]

Thank you Ednay Arksay for posting these...I still laugh til it hurts!

[@8aa17]

way before his time..but he will live forever ! one of the greatest entertainers..

[@michelleregis6181]

He was just fabulous !💖💖💖💖💖💖...RIP Charles.

[@littlekiwi9724]

One of the greatest!

[@melliemel9469]

just came across this and i love it .

[@MichaelinDenmark]

What an amazing artist !!! Hilarious in a very, very, very intelligent way. I love it !!!

[@philipk917]

Awesome Awesome Total Awesomeness!

[@TheLeadsupreme]

The fabulous finish

[@sueannstewart5821]

I really enjoy these,sry he's gone

[@ShanteYouStay]

Such talent!!!!

[@darrin1701]

First time I hear from this guy it's just amazing he was damn good, man what a genius

[@enosh29472]

flawless!

[@bamaboy34100]

FABULOUS

[@midnightmilkman1]

Legendary

[@danielstefane312]

lets give credit to this man who had Acting Skills to pull this off -he was one of our greatest Actors Please watch Part 2 -October 2020

[@danielstefane312]

for those who are not familiar w/Tallulah Bankhead need to check out her movie 'Life Boat' its a zinger check it out Charles Pierce is aTalent that you get to appreciate more each time March 2021

[@renemancilla3077]

Amo a Bette Davis, desde mí juventud

[@travismaupin6617]

sooo funny loved

[@ivanahavitoff7308]

...then there was that picture with J.C.......

[@CR-zx2zi]

Joan Crawford; dead ya know

[@mrspatrickcampbell]

We saw Miss Pierce at the BackLot of Studio One when we were happily married to our ex-husband - the gorgeous blond yuppie with the solid rock hard 9x6 - and after the show we went over to speak with Bea Arthur and Norman Lear, who were at an adjoining table. Bea looked us in the eye and seemed to be weeping with joy at the compliments we gave her.

[@fannycraddock99]

Evil, and hilarious :)

[@janknuckey]

Love his classy dame at the end....he is the spitting image of Judy Parfitt: "Sometimes,Dolores, being a bitch is all a woman has".....Fabulous

[@lotharwaltner4058]

👏👏👏👏👏👏❤😂😂😂😂

[@danielstefane312]

in my opinion his Tallulah Bankhead

[@TheBlazingAngel]

There sure was. Hee hee. ;p

[@nursejoed]

Boy, the pianist/conductor sure looked like the porn star Jon King...

[@MetFan37]

Joe Ryan: Cute, wasn't he?

[@Myplop]

Dire ...the voice is not even an impersonation

[@dennybish67]

That voice is undeniably Bette and the gestures are impeccable. You made a snarky comment on the part one post too. Jealous much?