R.I.P. Charles Pierce (1926-1999)

The first eulogist at Charles Pierce's memorial service was Conrad Bain, who played Dr. Harmon on the sitcom Maude, and was the star of Diff'rent Strokes. Bain read one of the many letters Charles saved from his fans. The following poem, by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1886), was sent by a fan.

To laugh often, and much
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the appreciation of honest critics,
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden path,
or a redeemed social condition
To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived,
This is success.
Bain explained further that the person that sent this poem to Charles was David Lane, the spotlight man from one of Charles' club dates. Lane also added, "I believe this best fits how I feel about you: You share beautifully. Thanks, David Lane."
David Lane was a spotlight man for one of Charles' shows many years ago. Charles did not recall ever seeing the man. Bain continued, "Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was not a spotlight man for Charles, but her prose caught his eye and he wanted it to be spotlighted here:" [Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., is the psychiatrist/author who is credited with bringing the hospice movement to the United States.]

When we have done all the work we were sent to Earth to do
We are allowed to shed our body, which imprisons our soul like a cocoon encloses the future butterfly.
And when the time is right, we can let go of it and we will be of pain, free of fears and worries -- free as a beautiful butterfly, returning home to God
Mr. Bain then introduced friend Allan Byrns. who recited a sonnet by the American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950). It was included in a book-reading show Pierce had done many years before his comedy shows. To the accompaniment of Lori Andrews' harp, Byrns read:

And you as well must die, beloved dust
And all your beauty stand you in no stead;
This flawless, vital hand, this perfect head,
This body of flame and steel before the gust of Death,
or under his autumnal frost,
Shall be as any leaf, be no less dead
Than the first leaf that fell, -- this wonder fled,
Altered, estranged, disintegrated, lost.
Nor shall my love avail you in your hour.
In spite of all my love, you will arise
Upon that day and wander down the air
Obscurely as the unattended flower,
It mattering not how beautiful you were,
Or how beloved above all else that dies.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• drag
• gay
• nightclub
• wig
• jerker

[alaric59]

I had no idea until tonight he had passed. Perhaps there was little coverage for him in this neck of the dark woods. I loved his work. I feel somewhat less and lost without him hear....l love his words so I put them here.

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the appreciation of honest critics,

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived,

This is success... I breathed easier because of the wonderful Charles Pierce.

[burffle]

I was "SO" fortunate enough to have seen Mr. Pierce perform many times in many theaters. I have never laughed so hard or been touched so deeply with another performers humor. Cheers to you Mr. Pierce!!!

[amalone76]

Rest well dear Charles, the world is a much brighter place because you lived

[TheMusic4life88]

This is a beautiful tribute, I had no idea he had passed, and such an AMAZING!!!!! talent . RIP.

[jmuslvr]

A very sweet tribute to an enormously talented man. The choice of music from the soundtrack of "Auntie Mame" is very appropriate.

[Joeinps]

Amazing performer will be so missed ! Love the background music , Drifting , which was also the theme in Auntie Mame with Roz Russel

[TheMartyrDJ]

Thank you so much for posting this. I was fortunate enough to have seen Mr. Pierce live, and meeting him back in 1989 in San Francisco. He was indeed a star. Sweet as can be, too. Not the least bit pretentious. Funny as hell! He is really truly missed. No one has come close to his accomplishments and contributions to not just the gay community, but the world as a whole for making the world a bit more tolerant.

[eedalton33]

The most beautiful memorial I've ever seen. I wanted to smile the entire viewing. He was so talented and unsurpassed. Thank you for sharing this !

[manasseh41]

He'd let us ride on his shoulders, play down on the ground with us etc. Hed even hold us upside down, really high so we could "walk on the cieling"

Aunt Charles was really fun to be around. Im blessed with some really cool stories thanks to having him in my early life.

I do miss him. It is comforting in a way to find out that so many others love and miss him too.

Thanks for loving him.

Auntie Charles' favorite lil nephew.

(not really, but how would you know?)

J

[edwardjames50]

A beautiful tribute to a talented artist. I saw Mr. Pierce many times in Manhattan at Michael's Pub, and his was strictly a class act!

Btw, I love your choice of the Kaper music, so touching AND appropriate.