Nell Carter: Summary

Recent Role:: Herself on Sidewalks Entertainment

Gender:: Female

Birthday:: 9-13-1948

Death:: 1-23-2003

Birthplace:: Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Birth Name:: Nell Ruth Hardy

Nell Carter was born September 13, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama, first rose to stardom on the New York stage. After a series of roles on- and off-Broadway -- and a short-lived part in the soap opera Ryan's Hope. In 1977 she starred in the show Ain't Misbehavin'!, a revue of the works of composer Fats Waller. She was rewarded for her performance with an Obie Award, and later with a Tony Award when the show moved to Broadway. Several years later, she earned an Emmy for her performance on a television presentation of the musical. Despite her Broadway success, Carter would have preferred to sing opera. Gimme a Break! ran from 1981 to 1987. Carter was nominated for two Emmys for her role as housekeeper Nell Harper, who helped run the household of police chief Carl Kanisky, played by Dolph Sweet. She also garnered two Golden Globe nominations for the role. Carter also appeared as P.J. Moore on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and as a psychiatrist in the sitcom Reba.

She had suffered from diabetes and had recovered from a near-deadly bout with a brain aneurysm in the 1990s. But on January 23, 2003, Nell collapsed and died of natural causes in her Beverly Hills home, maily from heart disease which was complicated by her diabetes. Nell Carter was born September 13, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama, first rose to stardom on the New York stage. After a series of roles on- and off-Broadway -- and a short-lived part in the soap opera Ryan's Hope. In 1977 she starred in the show Ain't Misbehavin'!, a revue of the works of composer Fats Waller. She was rewarded for her performance with an Obie Award, and...