An Oscar Winning Performance

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1969: Appearing on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, Truman Capote disparaged Jacqueline Susann, author of Valley of the Dolls, as looking just "like a truck driver in drag." The remark ignited howls of laughter from the studio audience -- and sent Susann to her lawyer ... to file suit for libel. Although Susann eventually decided to let the matter drop. Capote continued in the offensive: he told audiences that she didn't sue him because he'd planned to bring a truck driver into court, put him in a dress, and let the jury see for themselves just exactly how much Susann did indeed look like a truck driver in drag.



From Leigh W. Rutledge's The Gay Fireside Companion



Also pictured: Truman Capote in drag >>

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