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Liberace
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Liberace, 1974.
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Liberace, 1974.
Liberace, 1974.

Liberace

American pianist
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Also known as: Wladziu Valentino Liberace
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Quick Facts
Original name:
Wladziu Valentino Liberace
Born:
May 16, 1919, West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died:
February 4, 1987, Palm Springs, California (aged 67)
See all related content

Liberace (born May 16, 1919, West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.—died February 4, 1987, Palm Springs, California) was an American pianist. Born to Polish and Italian immigrants, he appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 16. He began giving concerts in flamboyant costumes with ornate pianos and candelabra, and though he occasionally performed with symphony orchestras, he built his career playing primarily popular music. Hugely successful, he hosted his own television variety series, The Liberace Show (1952–55, 1969), and appeared in films such as Sincerely Yours (1955). In later years he performed frequently in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.