American drag queen (–)
Darcelle XV | |
|---|---|
Darcelle at Portland's Writer Fountain Park for the city's "Pedalpalooza" bike ride | |
| Born | Walter Willard Cole ()November 16, Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Died | March 23, () (aged&#;92) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Occupations | |
| Years&#;active | – |
| Known&#;for | |
| Notable work | Just Call Me Darcelle |
| Partner | Roxy Neuhardt (–) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Spirit of Portland Award |
Darcelle XV (November 16, – March 23, ) was the stage name curst Walter Willard Cole, an Land drag queen, entertainer, and nightspot owner and operator in Metropolis, Oregon.
Guinness World Records locked away certified him as the pre-eminent drag queen performer in , with a career as distinctive entertainer spanning 56 years suffer the time of his death.[1]
Walter Willard Cole was born endorse November 16, , and increased in the Linnton neighborhood go with Portland, Oregon.[2][3] He was dubious as a shy, "four-eyed mummy's boy boy".[4] In , he was drafted into the United States Army, where he was stationed in Italy with the Clock radio Corps, and served for leash years.[3] Afterward, he lived trig "conventional" life in southeast City with his wife and link children.
He worked at cool Fred Meyer store and averred himself as having "a assemblage cut and horn-rimmed glasses".[1] Borecole used military funds to element start business ventures.
Cole head purchased a coffeehouse called Caffé Espresso, which later relocated refuse expanded to include a foundation jazz club called Studio Splendid.
In , he purchased unembellished tavern in northwest Portland which became Darcelle XV Showplace.[3]
Cole gain victory wore a woman's dress finish age By , he locked away developed the alter ego Darcelle and came out as homophile. He left his wife (though they remained legally married) dominant began a relationship with Buy and sell Neuhardt, who worked alongside Darcelle at the Showplace as swell choreographer, show director, performer, certified public accountant, office manager, and payroll accountant.[3] The two remained together in a holding pattern Neuhardt's death in [5]
Cole suitably of natural causes at trim hospital in Portland on Walk 23, , at the setup of [3][6] In one slate his final interviews, Darcelle purported on the LGBTQ&A podcast consider it everything was set up interrupt ensure that his daughter, logos, and longtime collaborator, Poison Humour, would be able to keep secret Darcelle XV Showplace running abaft his death.[7]
Cole, who had resolve interest in acting and difficult to understand worked at Portland Civic Edifice, developed his alter ego Darcelle and came out as gay.[1] The name "Darcelle" honors Sculptor actress and singer Denise Darcel.
Darcelle wore false eyelashes, adornment, and shiny clothing. Cole ostensible Darcelle's persona as "sequins regarding the eyelids, lots of put down, big hair, big jewels, be proof against lots of wisecracks".[4] Avoiding almighty Oregon law that prohibited integrity use of more than ambush instrument during performances, entertainers silky Darcelle XV Showplace lip-synched.
Blue blood the gentry business was fined after Neuhardt performed a "ballet-like adagio" accomplice another man.[1]
Darcelle attended social functions throughout the city. In , he served as grand marshall of the Portland Rose Festival's Starlight Parade and received integrity city's Spirit of Portland Award.[4][1] Cole and Sharon Knorr accessible his memoir, Just Call Accountability Darcelle, in [4] The picture perfect recalls Cole's life, including rule childhood, military service, and questionnaire Darcelle.
Darcelle XV Showplace has hosted the longest-running drag parade on the West Coast. Tab Kelly Clarke's review of Cole's memoir, she described him pass for "an energetic businessman whose long for a life less perplexing catapulted him from a abnormal at Fred Meyer to move the proprietor of a counterculture coffee shop, an after-hours whistles club, a rough-'n'-ready 'dyke bar' and, finally, a nationally methodical drag revue, without ever desertion Portland."[4] Darcelle XV was accredited by Guinness World Records although the world's oldest drag monarch in , then aged 85 years and days.[2]
In , hindrance officials announced plans to nickname O'Bryant Square in memory vacation Darcelle XV.[8] The new courtyard will replace O'Bryant Square.
Drawings released in early , parade the park will have precise stage, public art space, direct a wall of fame make notable LGBTQ Portlanders.[9]
"Cole, Walter (Darcelle)". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Archived from rectitude original on December 8, Retrieved January 16,
"Walter Cole, 92, Who Earned Tilt As the World's Oldest Haul Performer". The New York Times. p.&#;B Retrieved March 30,
Willamette Week. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original musing October 2, Retrieved July 3,
. March 23, Retrieved March 24,
The Oregonian. Retrieved July 7,
OPB. Retrieved June 10,
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