Carol Woods facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carol Woods
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Woods performing aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in 2007
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| Born | November 13, 1943 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1983–present |
Carol Woods (born November 13, 1943) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles in movies like Sweet and Lowdown (1999), The Honeymooners (2005), and Across the Universe (2007).
In 2008, Carol Woods performed "Let It Be" from the Across the Universe movie soundtrack at the 50th Grammy Awards. She received a standing ovation for her performance with Timothy Mitchum.
Inspired by Barack Obama's historic election campaign and win, Woods recorded a song called "America." This song, written by Grammy Award winner Julie Gold, was first released at a special event in Washington D.C. in January 2009. Later that year, in July 2009, "America" became available for everyone to enjoy.
In 2009, she returned to the Broadway stage to play Matron "Mama" Morton in the musical Chicago. She also toured with the show until June 2010. Carol Woods continues to record new music, including a CD called Blues in the Night.
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Carol Woods' Acting Career
On Stage: Theater Roles
Carol Woods has had many important roles on Broadway. She played Matron Mama Morton in Chicago. She was also Stella Deems in the 2001 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies.
Other Broadway shows include Mrs. Crosby in Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl (1993) and Maybelle in Grind (1985). She was even nominated for an Olivier Award for her role in the 1987 London production of Blues in the Night. She later played this role again in San Francisco in 2008.
As a founding member of Tony Randall's National Actors Theatre, Carol appeared in A Little Hotel on the Side and as Tituba in The Crucible in 1992. She also played Rose in the play Stepping Out. On tour, she played Jeanette Burmeister in The Full Monty.
Off-Broadway, Carol Woods is well-known for playing Big Bertha in One Mo' Time in 1979. She also played Lorena Hickok in First Lady Suite at The Public Theater in 1993. In 1997, she was Vy, Aladdin's mother, in Dreamstuff.
She performed in A Christmas Carol (1996) at the McCarter Theater. In 1992, she starred in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at Montclair State University, a role she had also played in London.
On Screen: Film Roles
Carol Woods' first movie role was Aunt Bunny in Eddie Murphy Raw (1987). She also played Rose in the movie Stepping Out (1991), which was based on the play she had been in. Her real son, Raymond Rickman, played her son in the movie.
In Sweet and Lowdown (1999), she played Helen Minton and sang the song All Of Me. She was Mama Gibson in The Honeymooners (2005). She also appeared in Across the Universe (2007), a movie featuring songs by The Beatles.
Woods also appeared as Ella in the movie Steam and as Mrs. Anderson in When the Evening Comes (2009).
On Television
Carol Woods has appeared in several TV shows, including:
- The Parent 'Hood
- Law & Order
- Third Watch
- The Practice
- The Big C
- The Good Wife
Carol Woods' Music
Recordings
Carol Woods has recorded several albums and songs:
- Bosom Buddies – with Karen Saunders
- Lost in the Stars
- Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Barcelona – She sang backup on this album for Freddie Mercury while performing in London.
- Lead vocal on "Brighter Tomorrow" from trumpeter Tom Browne's album Rockin' Radio
She also has three CDs in The Riverwalk Series: New Year's All Star Jam, American Love Songs, and Hot Jazz For A Cool Yule. You can also hear her on the cast albums for the musicals Grind, The Goodbye Girl, and Blues In The Night.
Live Performances: Concerts and Cabaret
Carol Woods has performed in many famous venues:
- The Village Gate: She reunited with Ron Richardson for "Songs in the Key of Stevie," a tribute to Stevie Wonder.
- Carnegie Hall: She had her own show, "An Evening with Carol Woods," in 2000. She also performed in benefit concerts for the Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation.
- 92nd Street Y: She has been part of various "Lyrics and Lyricists" shows here.
- Downtime: Her CD Bosom Buddies was recorded live at this venue.
- Arci's Place: She performed her show "Stick Around" here in 2001.
- Rainbow and Stars: She performed in S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin in 1992.
- Michael's Pub: She performed in tribute shows for Sammy Davis Jr. and Pearl Bailey in 1991.
