CHARLES LUDLAM ACTOR ETHYL EICHELBERGER ACTOR

Flamboyant and highly original, Ludlam (left) founded the Ridiculous Theatrical Company, for which he wrote, acted, and directed. A member of the company for a time, Eichelberger (right) was among the many performers influenced by Ludlam.

Born April 12, 1943, Charles Ludlam grew up on Long Island. In 1964 he graduated from Hofstra University, and in 1967 founded his company, which spoofed classic dramas and lampooned life in plays like When Queens Collide, The Artificial Jungle, and Eunuchs of the Forbidden City. He was a gifted actor in both male and female roles. As Camille he created an aura of pathos and beauty despite a hairy chest. A highly regarded teacher, Ludlam also acted and directed for other companies and appeared in the film The Big Easy (1987). Joseph Papp, producer of the N.Y. Shakespeare Festival, called him "an extraordinary artist who is not replaceable." Stricken suddenly, Ludlam died of AIDS May 28, 1987.

A performance artist, actor, and clown, James Roy Eichelberger was born July 17, 1945, and grew up in Pekin, Illinois. After working with the Trinity Square company in Providence, Rhode Island, he joined Ludlam's company in New York. He too played male and female roles (St. Joan, Medea, Mary Todd Lincoln), and in 1975 changed his first name to Ethyl. Depressed and ill with AIDS, he committed suicide in 1990 at the age of 45. John D. Brockmeyer (not shown), an actor in Ludlam's company, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1940. He appeared in such plays as Corn, Stage Blood, Bluebeard, and a parody of Wagner's Ring cycle. He died of AIDS December 16, 1990. Next Card 31: ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE: Photographer

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CHARLES LUDLAM/ETHYL EICHELBERGER