Quentin Crisp

Quentin Crisp - Gay Icon, Timeline and Childhood

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Quentin Crisp Biography Stories 

Quentin Crisp's Personal Details

Quentin Crisp was an English writer and one of the popular gay icons of the 1970s

InformationDetail
BirthdayDecember 25, 1908
Died onNovember 21, 1999
NationalityBritish
FamousGays, Writers, Gay Icon, Writers
Known asDenis Charles Pratt
Universities
  • Denstone CollegeKing's College London
Birth PlaceSutton, Surrey, UK
GenderMale
FatherSpencer Charles Pratt (1871–1931)
MotherFrances Marion Pratt (née Phillips)
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inSutton, Surrey, UK
Famous asEnglish Writer & Gay Icon
Died at Age90

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Quentin Crisp's photo

Who is Quentin Crisp?

A gay icon of the 1970s, Denis Charles Pratt, known to the world as Quentin Crisp, was an English writer and storyteller. Coming from a suburban background, he was unique in his behaviour and mannerism right from his childhood. His effeminate ways and tendencies did not go well with fellow students and friends who often ridiculed his appearance and mannerism. Nevertheless, he shunned all the criticism and proudly walked the streets in long and painted nails, loud make-up, girlish dresses and feminine conduct. In his early years, he took up job as an engineer's tracer but soon gave up the same to become a professional model for life-classes in art colleges. He continued with the profession for three decades. It was after the publication of his memoir, 'The Naked Civil Servant' and an interview related to the same that he achieved fame and popularity. He soon was offered roles in television and films, starting with an adaptation of his own memoir, 'The Naked Civil Servant'. Eventually, he performed in a number of movies and television series - the 1990s being the busiest decade.

Childhood & Early Life

Quentin Crisp was born as Denis Charles Pratt to Spencer Charles Pratt and Francis Marion Pratt in Sutton Surrey. He was the fourth child of the couple. While his father was a solicitor, his mother was a former governess.

Since an early age, his behaviour was unique. He became the object of laughter and teasing due to his womanly ways and appearance.

Young Pratt completed his formal education from Kingswood House School after which he gained a scholarship to attend Denstone College, Uttoxeter in 1922. Four years henceforth, he enrolled at the King's College London to study journalism.

Career

Failing to graduate from the college in 1928, he took up art classes at the Regent Street Polytechnic. It was around this time that he changed his name to Quentin Crisp.

Simultaneously, he started visiting cafes of Soho, taking his effeminate behaviour to another level by experimenting with make-up and women's clothes. He even started interacting with other homosexual men and rent boys and worked as a male prostitute.

Leaving home in 1930, he moved to the centre of London. It was while at London that he enhanced his effeminate behaviour and appearance by wearing loud make-up, long and painted finger nails and crimson red hair.

While his bizarre and eccentric appearance amused some Londoners, for most others it was outrageously weird and attracted hostility and violence.

During World War II, he enlisted himself in the army but was rejected on ground of his personality and changing sexual perversion.

In 1940, he relocated his lodging to a bed-sitting room in 129 Beaufort Street, which eventually served as his residence for the next four decades.

In 1941, he let go of his job as an engineer's tracer to take up modelling in life classes in London and Home Counties. For the next three decades, he continued posing and posturing for artists

At the time of penning what eventually became known as 'The Naked Civil Servant', he had already published three short books. 'The Naked Civil Servant' was earlier named 'I Reign in Hell' but was changed on Caroll's insistence.

Published in 1968, the book gave a detailed account of his work and life in a homophobic British society. It generally garnered positive reviews from its readers.

It was after the success of the book that he was asked by Denis Mitchell to talk about his life in a short documentary made by the latter. The discussion brought him immense limelight and fame and so did to his book.

No sooner than in 1975 he was asked to star in the television drama serial which was to be based on his book, 'The Naked Civil Servant'. With the same name, the series had him star alongside John Hurt. It was broadcast on both US and British television.

The success of the tele-series helped him think of his career as a performer and lecturer. Subsequently, he devised his own one-man show. While the first half of the show included entertaining and humorous monologue, the second part included an interactive session with a question-and-answer round with the audience.

In 1975, his autobiographical book, 'The Naked Civil Servant' was re-printed. His own-man show was a runaway success and gave him a complete makeover in the social circles who thought of him as a narrator and a witty speaker.

In 1976, he made his film debut with the Royal College of Art's low-budget produced movie, 'Hamlet'. A 65 minute adaptation of the Shakespearean play, he played the role of Polonius, supported by Helen Mirren, who portrayed the characters of Ophelia and Gertrude.

In 1978, his show was a sold out at the Duke of York's Theatre in London. Following the success of his show in London, he took the show to New York. Despite certain hitches during his stay in New York, he decided to relocate permanently to the country.

As such, in 1981, he moved to America with a few possessions. He eventually found a place to stay in the small apartment on East 3rd Street in Manhattan's East Village. Post relocation, he enlisted his number in the telephone directory first thing.

He was largely open to strangers to the point of gaining dinner invitations from anyone whether known or unknown. While the inviter would pay for his dinner, he entertained the latter with his jokes, humorous tales and creative stories during and after the meal. Thus, these dinners turned out to be one-of-the-kind shows.

Over the years, he continued to write his books on the importance of contemporary mannerism as a means of social inclusivity. He accepted invites to social parties and functions, wrote movie reviews and columns for US and UK magazine and newspapers

Other than his books and show, he acted in several television and films. In 1985, he starred in the film, 'The Bride'. In the movie, Sting played the central character of Baron Frankestein.

While in 1987 he appeared in the episode 'First Light' on the television show, 'The Equalizer' in 1988, he was cast as the narrator of Richard Kwietniowski's short film 'Ballad of Reading Gaol'. The film was based on the Oscar Wilde's poem.

The decade of 1990s proved to be a quintessential phase in his career. He bagged a lead role in the 1992 low-budget independent film, 'Topsy and Bunker: The Cat Killers'. His character was that of a doorman of a flea bag hotel in a shabby and dilapidated neighbourhood.

The same year, he played the role of Elizabeth I in the film Orlando. Though the role-play was a tough job, he excelled in his portrayal and won much acclaim and appreciation for his touching performance.

Some of the other films that he was a part of include, 'Philadelphia' and 'To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar'. 'American Mod' was his last independent movie, while 'HomoHeights' was his last feature film.

In 1995, he was interviewed by The Celluloid Closet, which highlighted how Hollywood films depicted homosexuality. The same year, he brought out his third volume of the memoirs titled, 'Resident Alien'.

In June 1995, he served as one of the guest entertainers at the second Pride Scotland festival in Glasglow. Three and a half years later, in December 1998, he celebrated his ninetieth birthday by performing at the opening night of his one-man show, An Evening with Quentin Crisp, at The Intar Theatre on Forty-Second Street in New York City.

Awards & Achievements

In 1997, he was crowned King of the internationally recognized Beaux Arts Ball by the prestigious Beaux Arts Society. He presided along with Queen Audrey Kargere, Prince George Bettinger and Princess Annette Hunt.

Personal Life & Legacy

He turned out to be fiercely independent and unpredictable during the last years.

He died in November 1999, just a month shy of his 91st birthday in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester. Ironically, his death coincided with the national revival of his one-man show.

He was interred with minimalist rituals and ceremony and his ashes were flown back to Phillip Ward in New York. His total assets worth at the time of his death valued at $600, 000

Trivia

This gay activist of the 1970s released his famous memoir 'The Naked Civil Servant' which was later adapted into a television series of the same name.

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Quentin Crisp biography timelines

  • // 25th Dec 1908
    Quentin Crisp was born as Denis Charles Pratt to Spencer Charles Pratt and Francis Marion Pratt in Sutton Surrey. He was the fourth child of the couple. While his father was a solicitor, his mother was a former governess.
  • // 1928
    Failing to graduate from the college in 1928, he took up art classes at the Regent Street Polytechnic. It was around this time that he changed his name to Quentin Crisp.
  • // 1930
    Leaving home in 1930, he moved to the centre of London. It was while at London that he enhanced his effeminate behaviour and appearance by wearing loud make-up, long and painted finger nails and crimson red hair.
  • // 1940
    In 1940, he relocated his lodging to a bed-sitting room in 129 Beaufort Street, which eventually served as his residence for the next four decades.
  • // 1941
    In 1941, he let go of his job as an engineer's tracer to take up modelling in life classes in London and Home Counties. For the next three decades, he continued posing and posturing for artists
  • // 1968
    Published in 1968, the book gave a detailed account of his work and life in a homophobic British society. It generally garnered positive reviews from its readers.
  • // 1975
    No sooner than in 1975 he was asked to star in the television drama serial which was to be based on his book, 'The Naked Civil Servant'. With the same name, the series had him star alongside John Hurt. It was broadcast on both US and British television.
  • // 1975
    In 1975, his autobiographical book, 'The Naked Civil Servant' was re-printed. His own-man show was a runaway success and gave him a complete makeover in the social circles who thought of him as a narrator and a witty speaker.
  • // 1976
    In 1976, he made his film debut with the Royal College of Art's low-budget produced movie, 'Hamlet'. A 65 minute adaptation of the Shakespearean play, he played the role of Polonius, supported by Helen Mirren, who portrayed the characters of Ophelia and Gertrude.
  • // 1978
    In 1978, his show was a sold out at the Duke of York's Theatre in London. Following the success of his show in London, he took the show to New York. Despite certain hitches during his stay in New York, he decided to relocate permanently to the country.
  • // 1981
    As such, in 1981, he moved to America with a few possessions. He eventually found a place to stay in the small apartment on East 3rd Street in Manhattan's East Village. Post relocation, he enlisted his number in the telephone directory first thing.
  • // 1985
    Other than his books and show, he acted in several television and films. In 1985, he starred in the film, 'The Bride'. In the movie, Sting played the central character of Baron Frankestein.
  • // 1987 To 1988
    While in 1987 he appeared in the episode 'First Light' on the television show, 'The Equalizer' in 1988, he was cast as the narrator of Richard Kwietniowski's short film 'Ballad of Reading Gaol'. The film was based on the Oscar Wilde's poem.
  • // 1992
    The decade of 1990s proved to be a quintessential phase in his career. He bagged a lead role in the 1992 low-budget independent film, 'Topsy and Bunker: The Cat Killers'. His character was that of a doorman of a flea bag hotel in a shabby and dilapidated neighbourhood.
  • // 1992
    The same year, he played the role of Elizabeth I in the film Orlando. Though the role-play was a tough job, he excelled in his portrayal and won much acclaim and appreciation for his touching performance.
  • // 1995
    In 1995, he was interviewed by The Celluloid Closet, which highlighted how Hollywood films depicted homosexuality. The same year, he brought out his third volume of the memoirs titled, 'Resident Alien'.
  • // 1995
    In June 1995, he served as one of the guest entertainers at the second Pride Scotland festival in Glasglow. Three and a half years later, in December 1998, he celebrated his ninetieth birthday by performing at the opening night of his one-man show, An Evening with Quentin Crisp, at The Intar Theatre on Forty-Second Street in New York City.
  • // 1997
    In 1997, he was crowned King of the internationally recognized Beaux Arts Ball by the prestigious Beaux Arts Society. He presided along with Queen Audrey Kargere, Prince George Bettinger and Princess Annette Hunt.
  • // 21st Nov 1999
    He died in November 1999, just a month shy of his 91st birthday in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester. Ironically, his death coincided with the national revival of his one-man show.

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Quentin Crisp's FAQ

  • What is Quentin Crisp birthday?

    Quentin Crisp was born at 1908-12-25

  • When was Quentin Crisp died?

    Quentin Crisp was died at 1999-11-21

  • Where was Quentin Crisp died?

    Quentin Crisp was died in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England, UK

  • Which age was Quentin Crisp died?

    Quentin Crisp was died at age 90

  • Where is Quentin Crisp's birth place?

    Quentin Crisp was born in Sutton, Surrey, UK

  • What is Quentin Crisp nationalities?

    Quentin Crisp's nationalities is British

  • What was Quentin Crisp universities?

    Quentin Crisp studied at Denstone CollegeKing's College London

  • Who is Quentin Crisp's father?

    Quentin Crisp's father is Spencer Charles Pratt (1871–1931)

  • Who is Quentin Crisp's mother?

    Quentin Crisp's mother is Frances Marion Pratt (née Phillips)

  • What is Quentin Crisp's sun sign?

    Quentin Crisp is Capricorn

  • How famous is Quentin Crisp?

    Quentin Crisp is famouse as English Writer & Gay Icon