Walter Willard Cole also known by his stage name Darcelle XV was an American drag queen, entertainer, and cabaret owner and operator in Portland, Oregon best known for the Guinness World Record holder for oldest drag queen performer with a career in entertainment that spanned over 56 years. She was also a fearless advocate for the LGBTQ community. Before Cole's career in drag he served in the U.S. Armed Forces and was discharged in the late 1950s. He then used money he got from his military serv... moreWalter Willard Cole also known by his stage name Darcelle XV was an American drag queen, entertainer, and cabaret owner and operator in Portland, Oregon best known for the Guinness World Record holder for oldest drag queen performer with a career in entertainment that spanned over 56 years. She was also a fearless advocate for the LGBTQ community. Before Cole's career in drag he served in the U.S. Armed Forces and was discharged in the late 1950s. He then used money he got from his military service to start a business dabbling in a coffee store and a jazz club until he bought space he would use to open Darcelle XV Showplace in 1967. In 1969 he developed his alter ego Darcelle and his club flourished around this time. After he was crowned the oldest performing drag queen in 2016 his showplace was also named the West Coast's longest running drag show. The nightclub was also listed in 2020 on the National Register of Historic Places, making it the first site in Oregon to be nominated specifically for its significance in LGBTQ history.
