Charles Lionel Berendt

Artist…Writer…Performer…Raconteur…Friend

He was an “Ambassador of Happiness.” – Owanza

“He was a genius.” – Ellen

“He lived life in Technicolor in what could be a black & white world.” – Priscilla

“He lived his life to the fullest.” – Tony

“He was the most interesting man I ever met.” – Bruce

“He was a magical leprechaun with an all-knowing wink, humor and talent which we were lucky he shared with the rest of us mere mortals.” – Steve

So many words have been used to describe Charles Berendt and his life and yet none can really do him justice (not to mention all his past lives). It would take unlimited prose to describe his visionary and totally unique art. More could be said of the countless, riveting performances he gave in regional and stock theater companies nationwide. And, no words are adequate enough to convey his youthful presence, energy, humor and friendship.

Born in Chicago, Charles was creative from birth. After seeing the world in the U.S. Navy, he excelled as a window display designer in New York City. Even Salvador Dali recognized Charles’ creative talent and complemented him on one of his displays upon visiting the jewelry store where Charles worked.He also created amazing interiors for homes and businesses as well as sets for plays and films in New York, L.A., Santa Fe and Denver.

Charles loved all things Shakespearean and performed a multitude of roles in his plays, including Cassius in “Julius Caesar” at the Globe Theater in L.A.He also performed with George C. Scott in “Sly Fox” at the Shubert Theater and with Cloris Leachman at the National Science Fiction Radio Theater. After making his home in Denver, Charles continued to perform as he said, “just for fun.” A local Denver paper review said this of his performance as the Mayor in Gogal’s “Inspector General”,

“The best performance belongs to Charles Berendt as the mayor. With his bushy gray mane, he struts and pounces around the stage, a tiger one moment and a frustrated monkey the next. He has a knack for gestures that underscore his character’s nasty intentions, and he gives his performance enough grit to grate.”

Westword, 1997

In later years, Charles focused on creating amazing furniture and visual art, primarily from seemingly innocuous buttons and beads. Many of his artworks were featured in interior design magazines and sold around the country. One of his many stunning pieces is “Iverskaia Mother of God,” which he considered his masterpiece (detail below).

(39 1/2"x 45", 4,290 buttons, 584 beads, 125 ft of brass ball chain, real seed pearls).

(Copy and past the below url address for Picture)

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CharlesBerendt_TheIverskaiaMotherOfGod_72-600x360.jpg

Most recently, Charles was working on a novel, set in Elizabethan times and had finished another chapter only days before he departed. Charles loved having a community and was loved in turn by many around the country and especially in the Denver Capitol Hill neighborhood. He held court most Sundays at a local café, telling jokes, critiquing movies and expounding on existential thoughts. The raucous laughter emanating from the café could most likely be heard for blocks.

Too many people will dearly miss Charles and his passion for life. He lightened the day for many; brought beauty into many lives and inspired many to truly live life. Charles believed this short time we knew him was not his only time on this planet. And, as he told his dear friend Owanza, he only wished for his epitaph to read:

“I’ll be right back…”

Service Details:

Please join us in celebrating Charles Berendt's life!

Sunday, September 14, 2014, 8:30 a.m.

Capitol Hill Whole Foods Café

900 E. 11th Ave., Denver, CO

Please bring your favorite Charles story and laughs to share.