Nell Carter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nell Carter
Born	Nell Ruth Hardy (1948-09-13)September 13, 1948 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Died	January 23, 2003(2003-01-23) (aged 54) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting place	Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Nationality	American
Other names	Nell Ruth Carter
Education	A. H. Parker High School
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	1970–2003
Known for	Nell Harper – Gimme a Break!
Spouse(s)	George Krynicki ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 1992)​ Roger Larocque ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 1993)​
Partner(s)	Ann Kaser (?–2003)
Children	3

Nell Carter (born Nell Ruth Hardy; September 13, 1948 – January 23, 2003) was a talented American singer and actress. She became famous for her powerful voice and amazing performances on stage and television. Nell Carter was especially known for her starring role as Nell Harper in the popular TV show Gimme a Break!. She won a prestigious Tony Award for her work in the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'.

Early Life and Her Start in Music

Nell Ruth Hardy was born on September 13, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was one of nine children in her family. When Nell was very young, her father passed away.

As a child, Nell began singing on a local gospel radio show. She was also a member of her church choir. By age 15, she started performing in coffee houses in her area. Later, she joined a group called the Renaissance Ensemble.

Nell had a daughter named Tracy. Later in her life, she adopted two sons, Joshua and Daniel.

Becoming a Star on Stage

At 19, Nell changed her last name to Carter. She moved to New York City with the Renaissance Ensemble. In New York, Nell sang in coffee shops. Soon, she got her first role on Broadway in 1971.

First Broadway Roles

Nell Carter made her Broadway debut in a rock opera called Soon in 1971. She also appeared with famous actress Bette Davis in a stage musical called Miss Moffat in 1974.

Winning a Tony Award

Nell became a big star in the musical Ain't Misbehavin'. For her amazing performance, she won a Tony Award in 1978. This is one of the highest honors in live theater! She later won an Emmy Award for playing the same role on television in 1982.

Nell was also cast in another Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, in 1978. However, she left that show to take a role on a TV series. Her other Broadway shows included Dude and Annie.

Moving to Film and Television

In 1979, Nell Carter appeared in the movie Hair, which was a musical. Her singing talent was featured throughout the movie's soundtrack.

In 1981, she took a role on a TV show called The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. After that, she landed the main role of Nell Harper on the sitcom Gimme a Break!.

Her Famous Role in Gimme a Break!

Nell Carter became very well-known for her lead role in the NBC TV series Gimme a Break!. In the show, she played a housekeeper for a police chief who had three daughters. The show was very popular and helped NBC get high ratings.

For her work on Gimme a Break!, Nell was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. The show ran for six seasons, from 1981 to 1987, with 137 episodes.

More TV Work

After Gimme a Break! ended, Nell Carter went back to performing in nightclubs. She even toured with comedian Joan Rivers in 1987.

In 1990, Nell starred in a CBS comedy called You Take the Kids. She played a strong, no-nonsense mother and wife in a working-class African-American family. The show only ran for a short time.

During the early 1990s, Nell appeared in movies, TV specials, and game shows like Match Game '90. She also co-starred in Hangin' with Mr. Cooper from 1993 to 1995.

In the mid-1990s, Nell returned to Broadway in a new production of Annie, playing the character Miss Hannigan.

Later Years in Her Career

In 2001, Nell Carter was a special guest star on the first episode of the TV show Reba. She appeared in three episodes during the first season. The next year, she made two appearances on Ally McBeal.

Nell was rehearsing for a musical called Raisin and filming a movie called Swing when she passed away. Her final movie appearance was in the comedy film Back by Midnight, which was released in 2005 after her death.

Death

On January 23, 2003, Nell Carter passed away at her home in Beverly Hills at the age of 54. Her son Joshua found her. Doctors determined that her death was likely caused by heart disease, with diabetes being a contributing factor.

Nell Carter is buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. She is remembered for her incredible talent and the joy she brought to audiences.

Personal Life

Nell Carter married George Krynicki in 1982. She later converted to Judaism. They divorced in 1992. In 1992, Nell married Roger Larocque, but they divorced the next year.

Nell had three children: her daughter Tracy, and two adopted sons, Joshua and Daniel.

Stage credits

• Soon (1971), Broadway
• The Wedding of Iphigenia (1971), Off-Broadway
• Dude (1972), Broadway
• Miss Moffat (1974), closed on the road
• Be Kind to People Week (1975), Off-Broadway
• Tom Eyen's Dirtiest Musical (1975), Off-Broadway
• Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope (1976), San Francisco
• Ain't Misbehavin' (1978), Manhattan Theatre Club, Broadway and U.S. national tour
• One Night Only (1979), workshop
• Black Broadway (1979), Avery Fisher Hall
• Black Broadway (1980), The Town Hall
• Ain't Misbehavin' (1988), Broadway
• Hello, Dolly!

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards

See also

In Spanish: Nell Carter para niños