When audiences first watched “A Low Down Dirty Shame” in 1994, many were instantly drawn to the film’s unforgettable character, Wayman, better known as Peaches. With razor-sharp wit, magnetic presence, and a comedic style unlike anything Hollywood had seen, Peaches quickly became a fan favorite. Yet, behind those scene-stealing moments lies a story more powerful and heartbreaking than most viewers could ever imagine.

From Houston’s Choirs to Comedy Royalty

Corwin Anthony Hawkins was born on March 12, 1965, in Houston, Texas, into a loving and devout Catholic family. Raised alongside siblings Phoebe Dedra and Wilbur Jr., Corwin’s parents, Wilbur and Joyce Hawkins, instilled in him a strong sense of community and faith. But nothing in his early years suggested that he would one day revolutionize comedy and drag performance in Texas—and, for one shining moment, in Hollywood itself.

After graduating from St. Peter’s Catholic School in 1982, Hawkins discovered his true calling. He had an astonishing talent for transformation, able to become anyone he wished—especially the era’s biggest female stars. This wasn’t mere dress-up or lip-syncing. Hawkins mastered the art of female impersonation, blending it with unscripted comedy that would soon become his trademark.

The Birth of “Amazing Grace”

By the late 1980s, Hawkins had become a legend in Houston’s club circuit. His alter ego, Amazing Grace, wasn’t just another drag persona. She was a force of nature—elegant, unpredictable, and always hilarious. Every Tuesday night, for four straight years, Texas audiences packed venues to witness Hawkins perform two-hour stand-up comedy shows that were completely improvised. Not a single word was scripted. Not one joke was rehearsed.

Most comedians spend months perfecting a single hour of material. Hawkins created magic in real time, night after night. He’d enter dressed in designer suits and immaculate wigs, only to transform the stage into a whirlwind of celebrity impersonations, outrageous characters, and uproarious crowd participation.

If you sat near the front, you were fair game. Hawkins might pull you on stage, make you dance, or even have you talking to your own clothes as if they’d personally offended you. His arsenal included legendary characters like Kelly Kelly, Aisha from Compton, Mingley from Chinatown, Deborah the relationship guru, and the mysterious Miku Waka. But it was his spot-on impersonations of icons like Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, and Grace Jones that left audiences in awe.

Pageant Queen Turned National Star

In 1991, Hawkins entered the Miss Gay Texas pageant as Amazing Grace and won in a landslide. The following year, he was crowned Texas Entertainer of the Year, confirming his status as a true talent—far beyond the world of beauty contests.

His ambitions led him to the National Entertainer of the Year competition in Louisville, Kentucky, where he faced the best performers from New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. While others relied on rehearsed routines, Hawkins improvised every moment, reading the room and responding to judges on the fly. He won, again, at just 27 years old.

This national recognition brought Hawkins to the attention of HBO, BET, and—most importantly—Deaf Comedy Jam. For a drag performer to appear on this groundbreaking show was nearly unheard of. Hawkins didn’t just appear; he became a feature performer, dazzling mainstream audiences with his ability to transform characters mid-joke and improvise entire scenes.

A Hollywood Breakthrough—and a Heartbreaking Twist

Word spread quickly through Hollywood. Casting directors were stunned by Hawkins’ ability to hold an audience for hours, entirely unscripted. Among those watching was Kenan Ivory Wayans, fresh off the success of “In Living Color” and preparing to direct his next feature, “A Low Down Dirty Shame.”

Wayans faced a casting dilemma. The role of Peaches was originally written for RuPaul, who was already becoming a mainstream sensation. But after witnessing Hawkins’ performance, Wayans made a bold decision: he would rewrite the role for Hawkins.

Landing the part was a dream come true. Hawkins brought the same fearless energy to the set that had made him a Texas legend. Between takes, he entertained the crew with impromptu Whitney Houston performances, using whatever was handy as a wig and nailing every note. Cast members, including Jada Pinkett, were amazed at his professionalism and natural comedic timing.

But behind the scenes, Hawkins was struggling. The energy that had fueled him for years was fading. He pushed through, determined to finish the film and realize his Hollywood dream.

Gone Too Soon

After filming wrapped, Hawkins returned to Texas, sharing stories of his Hollywood experience and planning viewing parties for the film’s November 1994 release. He received an invitation to audition at the legendary LA Improv—where comedy icons like Richard Pryor and Robin Williams had performed. It was his chance to break into mainstream stand-up comedy.

But by late July, Hawkins’ health deteriorated rapidly. What seemed like exhaustion turned out to be pneumonia—a diagnosis that, in the early 1990s, often carried deeper implications. On August 5, 1994, at just 29 years old, Corwin Anthony Hawkins passed away.

“A Low Down Dirty Shame” premiered three and a half months later. Hawkins never saw himself on the big screen. He never heard the laughter or applause from audiences who would fall in love with Peaches. Critics praised his performance as a highlight of the film, unaware that they were witnessing the first and only movie role of a rising star who had died months before.

Legacy That Refuses to Fade

Hawkins was laid to rest in Houston’s Memorial Cemetery, his headstone inscribed with “Amazing Grace.” For those who knew him, it was the perfect tribute.

But the story didn’t end there. In 2019, 25 years after his death, a new generation of drag performers discovered Hawkins through “A Low Down Dirty Shame.” Social media buzzed with clips of his performance, and Drag Race contestants began citing him as an influence. Comedy historians recognized him as a pioneer who bridged drag and mainstream comedy long before it was safe or acceptable to do so.

Hawkins died believing he was just a lucky performer from Texas who landed a single movie role. He never knew that his improvisational genius would inspire countless others, that beating RuPaul for Peaches would become legendary in drag history, or that his legacy would be studied by comedians trying to understand how someone could create two hours of comedy from nothing.

What Might Have Been

What would Hawkins have achieved if pneumonia hadn’t claimed him at 29? Would he have become the first drag performer to cross over into mainstream comedy films? Would his LA Improv tryout have led to comedy specials and national fame? We’ll never know.

But for one brief moment, Corwin Hawkins was exactly where he belonged—on camera, making people laugh, proving that talent transcends categories and labels. “A Low Down Dirty Shame” remains his only film credit—a 90-minute testament to what could have been.

When you watch it, remember: you’re not just witnessing a performance. You’re watching a revolution that ended too soon—a dream realized but never experienced, and the final act of Amazing Grace.