Lady Chablis, Transgender 'Midnight' Star, Dies at Age 59

[Behind the Aegis]

Source: NBC News

Sep 8 2016, 4:09 pm ET

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Lady Chablis, the transgender performer who became an unlikely celebrity for her role in the 1994 best-seller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," died Thursday in Savannah, her family said. She was 59.

Chablis' sister, Cynthia Ponder, confirmed she died at Candler Hospital. A close friend, Cale Hall, said Chablis died from pneumonia and had been in the hospital for the past month.

A modern, nonfiction take on Southern Gothic storytelling, author John Berendt's "Midnight" thrust Savannah into the pop-culture spotlight. And the sassy, blunt-spoken Chablis rode the book's popularity to a level of fame that was rare for transgender performers at the time.

"The legacy that she wanted to leave was one of 'believe in who you are and never let the world change who you are,'" Ponder said. "Love yourself first and respect yourself first and others will love and respect you."

Chablis insisted on playing herself in 1997's "Midnight" movie directed by Clint Eastwood. That same year she published an autobiography, "Hiding My Candy."






Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lady-chablis-transgender-midnight-star-dies-age-59-n645006

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She was my friend!!

[canetoad]

1. I have that movie

And will re-watch to see her performance.

Sorry you lost your friend.

[Person 2713]

2. Condolences RIP Lady C

[MADem]

3. She was brilliant in that film.

Some assorted footage....

[tonedevil]

4. Two tears...

in a bucket...

[Behind the Aegis]

7. OH HELL!

Did you actually meet her?! I still say that to this day when I am really trying to tell someone I DO NOT CARE. LOL!

Your comment made me smile!

[deurbano]

5. I'm very sorry for your loss.

She was so memorable in the movie and has died much too young. RIP, Lady Chablis.

[area51]

6. I'm sorry for your loss.

[Hulk]

8. A sweet Lady....she will be missed.

We're a better world for having had her with us. Shame the good have to die so young.

[Granny M]

9. So sorry for the loss of your friend.

Rest in peace, Lady Chablis.

[jumptheshadow]

10. Was she the Lady Chablis who used to perform at the Sweet Gum Head in Atlanta?

If so, then I saw her performances at the beginning of her career. That was a fun place, with some memorable, creative performances.

Rest in peace, and thank you for the inspired moments.

[NWCorona]

11. "Love yourself first and respect yourself first and others will love and respect you."

That qoute is so on point

RIP

[Number9Dream]

12. Chablis had most memorable performance in "Midnight..." imho

In a movie with several memorable performances, Chablis' was terrific. The scene at the cotillion, and when they take Chablis to the hospital were both hilarious.
Chablis' mom said, "Two tears in a bucket..."

[Kind of Blue]

13. Rest in Peace, Lady Chablis.

I'm awfully sorry for the loss of your friend, Behind the Aegis . She was captivating, a class act, and you're so fortunate to have had her in your life. One day, I bet it will be nothing but joy when you remember her.

[davsand]

14. So very sorry for your loss.

Lady Chablis was a Grande Dame if ever there was one! Pretty sure she will have everything nailed down exactly in its place in the afterlife! May her passing be effortless and full of joy!


Laura

[JI7]

15. very sorry for your loss

[jpak]

16. Way too young

and Savannah is NOLA East.

a strange and wonderful mix indeed

[Solly Mack]

17. Well, damn.

[m-lekktor]

18. Damn.

May she R.I.P. I rewatched the movie a few nights back in tribute to her.

[Blue_Tires]

19. You knew Lady Chablis??

[Behind the Aegis]

20. I sure did.

When she lived in Columbia for a brief time, I was in college and I met her as I was coming out. She and I became friends. We weren't besties or anything, but we did see each other at places outside the bar, but we spent lots of time in her dressing room chatting and catching up. She was a down-to-earth person off stage, though still had a huge personality.