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My Ghost Story
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Liberace
Leonardo DiCaprio
Annie Oakley
I Survived
Quick Facts
Best Known For
Liberace was a flamboyant pianist who twice had his own TV show and frequently performed in Las Vegas.
Videos see all videos
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Elton John - Full Episode (87:17)
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Lady Gaga - Mini Biography (4:19)
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Liberace - Pianist with Pizzazz
Watch a short video about Liberace and learn how this flashy pianist outdid himself during every performance.
Elton John - Full Episode
See Elton as you've never seen him before when we go behind the scenes to watch the legendary rock star prepare for his new show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Lady Gaga - Mini Biography
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Germonatta, is a pop artist and cultural icon whose antics, onstage and in video, and wild fashions have earned her attention worldwide. Her hits, Bad Romance, Poker Face and Love Game have sold millions of copies.
Freddie Mercury - Musical Legacy
Lesley-Ann Jones, author of "Mercury," describes Freddie Mercury's personality both on and off stage, as well as his legacy as a musician and the lead singer of Queen. Video courtesy of Simon & Schuster © 2012.
Photos see all photos
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Play NowLiberace. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 09:06, Jun 19, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642.
Liberace. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642 [Accessed 19 Jun 2013].
"Liberace." 2013. The Biography Channel website. Jun 19 2013, 09:06 http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642.
"Liberace," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642 [accessed Jun 19, 2013].
"Liberace," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642 (accessed Jun 19, 2013).
Liberace [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 Jun 19] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642.
Liberace, http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642 (last visited Jun 19, 2013).
Liberace. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/liberace-9381642. Accessed Jun 19, 2013.
His hands showcased a number of ornate, piano-shaped rings, and he draped himself in long, heavy fur capes. He even drove to his piano on stage in one of his many luxury automobiles. In the mid-1970s, Liberace decided to give the public a peek into his lavish lifestyle. He transformed his Hollywood home into a museum. He later displayed his collection of costumes, cars and other treasures at his own museum in Las Vegas.
Contents
Final Years
Once again, Liberace found himself in a legal struggle. He was sued by his former bodyguard and chauffer Scott Thorson in 1982. Thorson claimed that he had been in a relationship with Liberace and that Liberace had promised to take care of him and support him. The case was later settled out of court.
Shortly before his death, stories circulated that Liberace had AIDS. He and his staff, however, vehemently denied that the entertainer had the disease. Liberace passed away on February 4, 1987, at his home in Palm Springs, California. Initially, his doctor reported that the showman died of cardiac arrest. Later, an autopsy by the Riverside County coroner concluded that Liberace had actually died of AIDS-related pneumonia.
While some critics have dismissed him for being overly sentimental, Liberace has left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment. His elaborate and sometimes garish style has influenced the likes of Elvis Presley, Elton John and David Bowie to name a few. An HBO film celebrating Liberace's life is slated to be released in 2013, with Michael Douglas playing the legendary showman.
© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.
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