Chicago – Carol Channing was always, seemingly, full of sunshine. With her unique voice and “back row” Broadway singing chops, the eternal ingenue sparkled through a remarkable seven decade show business career. Ms. Channing died on January 15th, 2019, at the age of 97, at her home in Rancho Mirage, California.
Carol Elaine Channing was born in Seattle, Washington. She attended Bennington College at age 16, with her mother telling her beforehand that her father – who passed as white – was actually bi-racial (her grandmother was African American). Undeterred by this information (she has said in her bio and interviews that she was proud of her heritage), she went to the New York stage and first understudied for Eve Arden at age 19. She went on to originate the role of Lorelei on stage in “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” (Marilyn Monroe played the role in film), and introduced the song “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.
Carol Elaine Channing was born in Seattle, Washington. She attended Bennington College at age 16, with her mother telling her beforehand that her father – who passed as white – was actually bi-racial (her grandmother was African American). Undeterred by this information (she has said in her bio and interviews that she was proud of her heritage), she went to the New York stage and first understudied for Eve Arden at age 19. She went on to originate the role of Lorelei on stage in “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” (Marilyn Monroe played the role in film), and introduced the song “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.
- 1/17/2019
- by [email protected] (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Carol Channing, who originated the role of Dolly Levi in “Hello Dolly!” and Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blonds” on Broadway, has died at age 97.
The Oscar-nominated actress died early Tuesday morning at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., just weeks before what would have been her 98th birthday, her publicist B. Harlan Boll told TheWrap.
Channing came to national prominence as the star of the Broadway musical “Hello, Dolly!” in 1964. Her performance as matchmaker Dolly Levi won her the first of three Tony Awards (including one for lifetime achievement) for Best Actress in a Musical.
She appeared in two revivals of “Hello, Dolly!,” performing the role more than 5,000 times, missing only one show due to food poisoning.
Also Read: Carl Reiner Is the Oldest Emmy Nominee Ever at 96, but He's Still Got Work to Do (Video)
Channing is also known for her role of Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
The Oscar-nominated actress died early Tuesday morning at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., just weeks before what would have been her 98th birthday, her publicist B. Harlan Boll told TheWrap.
Channing came to national prominence as the star of the Broadway musical “Hello, Dolly!” in 1964. Her performance as matchmaker Dolly Levi won her the first of three Tony Awards (including one for lifetime achievement) for Best Actress in a Musical.
She appeared in two revivals of “Hello, Dolly!,” performing the role more than 5,000 times, missing only one show due to food poisoning.
Also Read: Carl Reiner Is the Oldest Emmy Nominee Ever at 96, but He's Still Got Work to Do (Video)
Channing is also known for her role of Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
- 1/15/2019
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
Carol Channing, the saucer-eyed, gravelly voiced Broadway barnstormer whose offbeat personality and marquee value fueled such Golden Age musicals as Gentleman Prefer Blondes and Hello, Dolly!, has died, her publicist B Harlan Boll confirmed in a statement to People. She was 97.
Boll said that Channing died at 12:31 A.M. on Tuesday, at her home in Rancho Mirage, California, of natural causes.
“It is with extreme heartache, that I have to announce the passing of an original Industry Pioneer, Legend and Icon – Miss Carol Channing,” the statement said. “I admired her before I met her, and have loved...
Boll said that Channing died at 12:31 A.M. on Tuesday, at her home in Rancho Mirage, California, of natural causes.
“It is with extreme heartache, that I have to announce the passing of an original Industry Pioneer, Legend and Icon – Miss Carol Channing,” the statement said. “I admired her before I met her, and have loved...
- 1/15/2019
- by People Staff
- PEOPLE.com
The Mystery Of Edwin Drood Star, Stephanie J. Block, is featured on an all new Christmas CD Recording titled A Very Broadway Christmas, produced to support the Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts in its mission to promote the arts in public education. Block joins Matthew Morrison, Susan Egan and more in a holiday CD featuring both original and traditional Christmas Songs and can still be purchased in time to stuff it into the stocking of a favorite Broadway lover...
- 12/18/2012
- by David Green
- BroadwayWorld.com
An all new Christmas CD Recording titled A Very Broadway Christmas will feature a host of Broadway Stars to support the Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts in its mission to promote the arts in public education. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD will go directly to support schools in Union Beach, New Jersey who lost all of their musical instruments after Hurricane Sandy and have been forced to cancel their music classes and programs indefinitely.
- 12/3/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The life story of legendary performer and Carol Channing (“Hello Dolly”) is as colorful as the lipstick on her big, bright smile. Carol Channing: Larger Than Life captures the magic and vivacity of the 90-year-old icon—both onstage and off...past and present. The film is both an intimate love story and a rarefied journey inside Broadway’s most glamorous era. It is, above all, a look at an inspiring, incomparable and always entertaining American legend. Directed and co-written by Dori Berinstein (ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway, Gotta Dance), a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer. Starring Carol Channing, Harry Kullijian, Loni Anderson, Mary Jo Catlett, Marge Champion, Tyne Daly, Phyllis Diller, Betty Garrett, Tippi Hedren, Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Rich Little, Bob Mackie, Jimmy Nederlander Sr., Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Harvey Sabinson, George Schlatter, Richard Skipper, Lily Tomlin, Tommy Tune, Bruce Vilanch, Barbara Walters and JoAnne Worley. Carol Channing is...
- 2/3/2012
- by Dave Campbell
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
She's still glowin', she's still crowin', she's still going strong. Tff 2011 fan favorite Carol Channing: Larger Than Life opens this week in NYC. Those big eyes. Those bright read lips. That voice. There is no other performer like Carol Channing. Filmmaker Dori Bernstein's affectionate documentary Carol Channing: Larger Than Life has charmed festival audiences everywhere, including Tribeca, where the film came in 3rd place in the Heineken Audience Award Race. Channing's infectious energy and spirit are contagious as she discusses her career and marrying the love of her life (whom she met at the tender age of 12), Harry Kullijian, at the age of 82. Even at 90 years old, the first lady of musical comedy, most famous for creating the role of Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly!, is incandescent. Her quick wit, kind spirit and luminous smile charm all those around her. One of the most appealing moments ...
- 2/1/2012
- TribecaFilm.com
Title: Carol Channing: Larger Than Life Director: Dori Berinstein (‘ShowBusiness: The Road To Broadway’) Starring: Carol Channing, Harry Kullijian and Debbie Reynolds Iconic stage performers are remembered for their vivacity and their undeniable glamor as they hit the stage. While many high-profile actresses garner extensive fame as they release their most acclaimed work, few have been able to easily maintain their charm and appeal nearly two decades after retiring. However, the eccentric 91-year-old former Broadway actress Carol Channing is one of the rare talented performers who has managed to do just that. In the new biographical documentary about her career and personal life, Channing isn’t afraid to share information with...
- 1/18/2012
- by karen
- ShockYa
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