A liquid crystal projector comprises an illuminating optical system including a light source, a color separating optical system for separating illuminating light rays emitted by the illuminating optical system into light rays of three colors, a projection lens unit comprising a projection lens, a cross dichroic prism disposed near a light receiving end of the projection lens, and a plurality of liquid crystal panels arranged around the cross dichroic prism, and a light source power supply for supplying power to the light source. The projection lens unit, the color separating optical system, the illuminating optical system and the light source power supply are arranged in that order. The liquid crystal projector has an outside size in a horizontal plane of 263 mm by 318 mm or below. The liquid crystal panels have a display screen size of 0.9 in. A cooling fan for cooling the plurality of liquid crystal panels is disposed beside the projection lens.