Quentin Crisp in his Earls Court London flat, some times referred to as in Chelsea, just before he left to live in New York in 1981. Quentin Crisp was an English writer, raconteur and actor. Crisp wore make-up and painted his nails. During his teenage years he worked briefly as a rent-boy. He then spent 30 years as a professional model for life-classes in art colleges. Many think of him as a Gay ikon.