Wladziu Valentino Liberace, born on May 16th, 1919, West Allis, Wisconsin, U. S. , was a pianist, singer, entertainer and actor. Liberace was a child prodigy, born to parents of Italian and Polish origin, having had a career spanning 4 decades of concerts, recordings, TV, movies, and endorsements. From the '50s to the '70s, while at the height of his fame, he was the highest-paid entertainer in the world, with established concert residencies in Las Vegas, along with an international touring schedule. Liberace had a lifestyle of flamboyant excess both on and off stage, being nicknamed 'Mr. Showmanship'.