Carol Channing

Person

Carol Channing

Acting 105 January 31, 1921

Seattle, Washington, USA

Carol Elaine Channing (born January 31, 1921) was an American actress, singer, dancer and comedian. Known for starring in Broadway and film musicals, her characters typically radi…

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Carol Elaine Channing (born January 31, 1921) was an American actress, singer, dancer and comedian. Known for starring in Broadway and film musicals, her characters typically radiated a fervent expressiveness and an easily identifiable voice, whether singing or for comedic effect. Channing also studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. She began as a Broadway musical actress, starring in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949 and Hello, Dolly! in 1964, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the latter. She revived both roles several times throughout her career, most recently playing Dolly in 1995. Channing was nominated for her first Tony Award in 1956 for The Vamp followed by a nomination in 1961 for Show Girl. She received her fourth Tony Award nomination for the musical Lorelei in 1974. As a film actress, she won the Golden Globe Award and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967). Her other film appearances include The First Traveling Saleslady (1956) and Skidoo (1968). On television, she appeared as an entertainer on variety shows, from The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1950s to Hollywood Squares. She had a standout performance as The White Queen in the TV production of Alice in Wonderland (1985), and had the first of many TV specials in 1966, An Evening with Carol Channing. Channing was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1981 and received a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award in 1995. She continued to perform and make appearances well into her 90s, singing songs from her repertoire and sharing stories with fans, cabaret style. She released an autobiography, Just Lucky I Guess, in 2002, and Larger Than Life, a documentary film about her career, was released in 2012.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2023
    Commitment to Life

    Movie Self (archive)

  2. 2019
  3. 2014
  4. 2012
  5. 2011
  6. 2009
    RuPaul's Drag Race

    TV show Self - Video Message

  7. 2008
  8. 2007
  9. 2007
  10. 2005
  11. 2004
  12. 2003
    Broadway's Lost Treasures

    Movie Dolly Levi (segment "Hello, Dolly!")

  13. 2003
    Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show

    Movie Lorelei Lee (archive footage)

  14. 2003
  15. 1999
    Family Guy

    TV show Carol Channing (voice)

  16. 1998
    Hollywood Squares

    TV show Self - Panelist

More credits
  1. 1998
    The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

    Movie Fanny (voice)

  2. 1998
  3. 1997
    The View

    TV show Self

  4. 1996
  5. 1996
    The Rosie O'Donnell Show

    TV show Self - Guest

  6. 1995
  7. 1995
    The Drew Carey Show

    TV show Carol Channing

  8. 1995
  9. 1994
    Touched by an Angel

    TV show Carol Channing

  10. 1994
    The Magic School Bus

    TV show Cornelia C. Contralto II (voice)

  11. 1994
    Space Ghost Coast to Coast

    TV show Self

  12. 1994
    Thumbelina

    Movie Ms. Fieldmouse (voice)

  13. 1994
  14. 1994
    Burke's Law

    TV show Daphne LeMay

  15. 1993
    The Nanny

    TV show Carol Channing

  16. 1993
  17. 1992
    The Addams Family

    TV show Grandmama (voice)

  18. 1991
    Where's Wally?

    TV show (voice)

  19. 1990
    Night of 100 Stars III

    Movie Self

  20. 1989
    Happily Ever After

    Movie Muddy (voice)

  21. 1989
    George Burns: His Wit and Wisdom

    Movie Self - Burns Dinner Friend (uncredited)

  22. 1989
    Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers

    TV show Canina LaFur (voice)

  23. 1988
    LIVE with Kelly and Mark

    TV show Self

  24. 1985
    Alice in Wonderland

    TV show White Queen