Charles Ludlam

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Charles Ludlam (born April 12, 1943 in Floral Park , Long Island , New York , † May 28, 1987 in New York ) was an American film and stage actor , playwright , filmmaker and important independent theater maker in New York. As a filmmaker, Ludlam can be compared to James Bidgood and Kenneth Anger , although he never came close to their success in this genre.

Life

Even as a child he was very interested in the theater . He got his first theater experience at the age of 15 at The Red Barn Theater, from the age of 17 he played at the Student's Repertory Theater in New York. This was followed by studies at Hofstra University from 1961 to 1965.

In 1965 he founded the famous Play-House of the Ridiculous with two other colleagues, where he also played his first role as a professional actor in the play The Life of Lady Godiva . He had a major appearance as a drag queen in 1966 in the play Screen Test 1966. His first play written and performed as a playwright was Big Hotel in 1966.

He then had his first own theater in a cinema in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, but this was only a temporary arrangement; it was not until the late 1970s that his theater company finally moved into a permanent theater building on One Sheridan Square .

His most successful piece was Camile , 1973, which saw a good 500 performances.

He played various roles in the gay independent film Pink Narcissus , but was not mentioned in the opening credits. He was also seen in TV series in guest roles, for example in the series Oh Madeline in a role as a transvestite .

He also taught drama at various American universities.

In 2010 various short films were shown that Ludlam had made, but which could only be shown after his death. Among them was the 22-minute short film Museum of Wax from 1987, in black and white and produced as a silent film, which tells the somewhat verque (e) re love story between a woman and two gays. These are the last recordings made by Charles Ludlam on celluloid. Also the short film The Sorrows of Dolores , produced and filmed by Ludlam. During the festival, which was also moderated by the well-known singer Antony Hegarty , the life of Ludlam was in the foreground and many former colleagues remembered him with anecdotes.

Charles Ludlam died of AIDS on May 28, 1987 in New York . He was openly gay. A biography called Ridiculous! The theatrical life and times of Charles Ludlam (David Kaufman) was released in 2002. His partner, Everett Quinton , is also a well-known actor.

Filmography (selection)

As an actor

As a filmmaker and actor

  • Underground and Emigrants, 1976, (Actor)
  • The Sorows of Dolores, 1986, short film. (Filmmakers)
  • Museum of Wax, 1987 (posthumous), short film (filmmaker and actor).

Plays: (selection)

  • Big Hotel, 1966.
  • Conquest of the universe, 1967.
  • Whores of Babylon, 1969.
  • Turds in Hell, 1969.
  • The great tarot, 1969.
  • Eunuchs in the forbidden city, 1971.
  • Camille, 1973.
  • Hot Ice, 1974.
  • The ring god coloronjet, 1977.

swell

personal data
SURNAME Ludlam, Charles
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American film and stage actor, playwright
DATE OF BIRTH April 12, 1943
PLACE OF BIRTH New York , USA
DATE OF DEATH May 28, 1987
Place of death New York, USA