Nell Carter Biography

Fast Facts

• She received a Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, Tony Award and Primetime Emmy Award for her role in "Ain't Misbehavin'․"
• She had a daughter by natural birth and adopted two sons
• At 54, heart disease, which was complicated by diabetes, led to her death
• She performed in New York City coffee shops before landing a Broadway role in 1971
• She sang on a local gospel radio show and in a church choir as a child
• Quote: "When I was growing up, it was not something you aspired to․ I was a weirdo to want to be in show business․ Most kids wanted to be teachers or nurses․"
• She was known for her sassy attitude, husky voice and Southern accent
• Despite being successful on Broadway, she would have liked to have been an opera singer
• She performed the National Anthem prior to Game 4 of the of the 1989 World Series, singing from Candlestick Park in San Francisco