This wasn't drag, this was the pinnacle of female impersonation. Charles Pierce was amazing!

So great to see this! Memories! My mom was Charles' cousin and we grew up with him visiting. When he got the Dorothy Chandler gig, my parents brought all us kids to the show. 😊 I loved it! He was also amazingly quick witted. A very special person, loving and generous. RIP ❤

No one could do Bette Davis like Charles.

@tklogan111809

2 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know the entrance music?

I’m 32, old enough to know who Betty Davis is, and have seen one of her movies (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane) But it wouldn’t matter if I’d never heard of her because Charles was hilarious! I just saw him on Designing Women on Hulu, then googled him & had to see him perform. Thank goodness technology lets us look back into the past. This was 1982, before my birth but I’m so glad I get to enjoy it now in 2019! Rest In Peace Charles, you shady, shady “lady”! 💛 😉

@1313Siemens

2 жыл бұрын

I had a friend who lived in NY in the '70s & he knew Charles. He told me that after a show he would "drop" Bette & then "become" Bette so easily that it was almost hypnotic. Charles Pierce would come to his table & chat. He apparently loved his fans.🏳️‍🌈

Although I never had the pleasure to see Charles Pierce perform live I've watched these videos countless times. He still makes me laugh every time in this opening when he just says "thaaank you" like Bette Davis. Hysterical! Just the best!

Charles pierce was the best female movie star impressionist...so funny..so accurate..so adorable..watch his joan crawford..Mae west impressions..he can always make me laugh..remember this was at the height of the AIDS epidemic..I was diagnosed in 1985..and am so glad someone like him could make me and us laugh when we weren't sure what tomorrow would bring..thanks charles. RIP. ♡♡♡♡

@MrEmilio6969

5 жыл бұрын

So i'm i

America's version of Kabuki. Genius on many levels. This is the best of the best.

I saw this...and taped it...about 20 years ago. It is Still laugh-out-loud funny! "LIT!" Love it! ^^X^^

The kindest, talented man in Hollywood! I am so grateful to have seen him live and to befriend him. Brilliant giving funny, funny man!

@lohphat

8 жыл бұрын

I spent an evening at Wayland Flowers apt. in Hollywood with Charles, Rudy de la Mor, and Rod Miller. I was 22 and had no idea the genius I was around that night. It was the after party at Wayland's place after his last public performance at Studio One Backlot on Robinson and SM Boulevard. That was in 1987

@llibzlov

7 жыл бұрын

Use to see the show there many time in my twenties also knew Rudy de la Mor from the Little Shrimp in Laguna Beach. Great times.

@brianspringfield2555

7 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful treasure of a memory! I first saw Charles on a TV screen in a small out-of-the-way bar in Texas. I couldn't believe it--a drag performer in front of an huge adoring crowd at the Chandler Pavilion, then the home of the Academy Awards! It made me realize there was another world out there, one that was more accepting. Eventually, I left Texas to find that world in San Francisco, where I live still today.

@Grundig80

6 жыл бұрын

My old roommate saw Charles perform in P-Town, he said that he was hysterical.

@markanthonyfuentes4052

5 жыл бұрын

Bettie Davis said it BEST 'Charles Pierce is supremely talented man' And coming from Bettie Davis says volumes.

He was pretty wonderful wasn't he? He impersonated Bette Davis very well.

WOW, he really DID LOOK LIKE Bette Davis!!!! INCREDIBLE!!!! Even sounded like her too, and ALL THE MANNERISMS!!!! What a TALENTED PERFORMER!!!!

Such a dramatic entrance! Pure fabulousness 😁😁😁

So funny! He does Betty Davis the best!

Unquestionably, the master of female impersonating and the Greatest Bette Davis. Having said that, I can't get enough of Charles Pierce R.I.P.

So good- the physicality is perfect, even those eyes!! Amazing person :)

brilliant the man was adored by many

The entire show is fantastic. I have watch it when I need to remind myself of how fun life can be!

Charles Pierce is just magnificent.

@aboyntheband

7 жыл бұрын

I agree.

@paulaharrisbaca4851

6 жыл бұрын

He really was. Back when being a transvestite (to be technically correct, a female impersonator) was special. Not totally mainstream. I think that running about and trying to make something special into part of the "community" is so dull and dreary. LGBQTXYZ....doesn't anyone want to be special instead of whatever regular people are? Just be. This separating into little groups for God-only-knows what is both mainstream and rather alarming, especially as so many smart people keep buying into it for some reason. Sorry, I ranted. Such a silly little fool I am!

Charles Pierce is just magnificent.Charles looked more like Bette than Bette

Just discovered this gem! Charles was incomparable. I once saw him live, turning side to side, doing a conversation between Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead. Fantastic. Also loved his Bette and Joan Collins ❤ on an episode of Designing Women (on a cruise ship). Dearest Charles, YOU are just too much ❤, I'd love to kiss 💋 you, but I just washed my hair. MERCY!!!

He was absolutely fantastic!!

The greatest, that's for sure.

I love twisted humor and drag! This was so funny! I subscribed!

Wow !! Thanks for posting this video !! I would love to see Joan Collins too !! Thank you so much. RIP Charles pierce !! You are missed.

this video is the only thing that could make me laugh .Charles Pierce was great!

He was so fabulous! There will never be another like him!

That Shelly Winters anorexia line almost killed me😂

I am a huge Bette Davis fan and Charles is absolutely brilliant. I’m sure anyone would find him hilarious, but when you know Bette Davis well you pick up on the slightest details that Charles just nails. It is sublime to put all of that together into a set that well. Bravo. I always come back to watch this every now and again

I am wayyyyy too addicted to this video

@Dancerfashionartista

5 жыл бұрын

As I am as well..at least once a week

Bettie Davis said it BEST. 'Charles Pierce is supremely talented'

Glad to have seen him perform at Freddie's Supper Club in NYC up close and personal in the early 80's. A legend.

He is fantastic!

I was appearing in LA in the '80's and I stumbled into the Backlot club in West Hollywood one night and saw Mr. Pierce...fabulous!! Years later I met and became friends with his musical director (seen at the piano here) Mr. Michael Biagi.

This is just INCREDIBLE!!!

First time I ever saw this guy as Bette Davies. Great impersonation, although I'm not sure the tone of the voice is quite light enough. I know Bette had a rougher voice when she was older but not sure it's quite right, but the look and mannerisms are brilliant, and the flouncing walk is spot on.

Impressively BRILLIANT 🌟 Kudos to you, Mr Charles Pierce! 🎋

You just couldn't get away with many of these jokes today.

Utterly genius!!!! I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Where can one get the FULL recorded show????!!!!

fabulous!

Saw Charles Live in New York. Funny & Great.

Brilliant. I'm go glad I got to know him, ever so briefly.

Watching in Dec. 2019 ... This guy is FUNNY! ABSOLUTELY looks like Bette Davis and sounds like her too!

@piustwelfth

4 жыл бұрын

Has all the mannerisms (exaggerated of course).

@richardlionheart3965

4 жыл бұрын

Me too, i never knew or heard of this guy until last week but he is incredible. His Mae West is off the scale

and Miss D LOVED him

He was one of the best Impersonators wow just wow ..good Bette Davis Impersonators are rare,gotta have the look down and demeanor

Any one here in december 2019 tell your friends "This is A Must See"

the master!! loves it!!!

awesome thanks

Fans of Bette Davis, often hate on his impersonation of Davis, but Charles was brilliant and funny as Davis.

Brilliant

He doesn't get her voice perfect, but he doesn't have to because he gets her ENERGY down perfectly.

@oliviablackburn1113

4 жыл бұрын

Shane de Leon he sure looks a lot like her though. Especially in the nose and cheeks.

Superb comic actor and great routine! The voice isn't exactly Bette but the persona more than makes up for it

I'm amazed!

You must see all of the videos from this show Fabulous

First line should have been “What a dump!” 😀

Charles looked more like Bette than Bette.

this is really a master class in how to do stand up - what great timing class and not a 4 letter word spoken

@Rocketjay12

6 жыл бұрын

He did slip in a "fuck" but WTF?!

I met Charles Pierce in 1984 in San Francisco after his show at the Plush Room. He was very good in the show and was very nice to me when my friend and I went backstage to meet him I do impressions but I was too embarrassed to show him. He was very polite and gracious to me though.

LOVE!

FAB! HES DEAD ON! love herim

When she said Thank you I cracked up wow bahahahhaha

Mr. Biagi is going strong..Tommy Tune's musical director for the past 20 years or so..and a good friend.

Wonderful. 🙂✌️Wonder if he ever worked with Jim Bailey?

yeah the best :D

Drag Queens love Bette Davis

Sheer anarchy and class fo'evah!

Still brilliant!

Wow. This guy has Bette Davis down perfectly. I've never seen a better impression of her. Absolutely flawless! :D

@LaDivinaLover

6 жыл бұрын

theblazingangel Barbara Heller during the Dean Martin Roast.

@renan.csmaia

6 жыл бұрын

Jimmy James. See the videos on KZread.

He sounds a little bit more like Lauren Bacall than Bette Davis here...

Bette was a difficult person to please, even SHE would have liked this. She was known for being braless and temperamental. Need a few more of them around.

@josephboys9965

4 жыл бұрын

She admitted in an interview that, her favorite joke was the cigarette "lit!"

@miriamhavard7621

4 жыл бұрын

Braless?

@Dreamskater100

4 жыл бұрын

@@miriamhavard7621 Yeah, what does that mean?

I was really fuked up I really was looool

Charles pierce was, in every sense of the word, a great artist! The stars are a little less bright since his passing.

I love this

Histerical,he is pretty good.

where can i buy this full show on dvd. pls let me know i just fell in love with him never seen this befor. he is right on with all his impersonate

This isn't a wig, you know, I have loose scalp.

He was divine and a genius!

Anyway to get a copy??? I saw Pierce at the Backlot in West Hollywood in the 1980's. My friend Michael Biagi was Mr. Pierce's pianist and musical director -- seen here.

@bigred8432

6 жыл бұрын

Type ‘save KZread mp3’ into google and you could rip it

Debbie Reynolds!

Super gooood

Love Charles take on being Bette

THE BEST!! RIP

can anyone get the full coco song they had to cut out because of coppy rights of then?????

Hilarious!

PLEASE POST HEPBURN!

ohhhh kaftan!!! i get it thanks!!!!

Where can I get a copy? I would LOVE one!

lets take this video past 200k January 2020 anyone here

Crack up hilarious.

@darkeyes909 fabulous

😂

haha haha wow so funny

now that we are going trough a difficult adjustment hope this video brings you some comfort you must laugh best Medicine march 2020

Does anyone know where Michael Biaci (piano) is?

Bette = 123 movies

does anyone know if Bette ever saw him perform...and what did she think.

Does anyone know the entrance music?

@1313Siemens

2 жыл бұрын

"Now Voyager": Music by Max Steiner.

check out Charles interview with Dick Cavitt march 2021

I’ve used that “roll in flour and look for a wet spot” several times and older people just die laughing and the younger ones, well..... they’ve never fried a chicken I guess 💁🏻 (Or had sex with Shelley Winters!!)

Can someone explain me the Hindu Avon lady joke?

OMG, He is Good, nope, Great as Bette Davis..