Carol Channing

Carol Channing was an American actress, singer and comedian, well-known for her over-the-top performances and distinctive voice. She was born on January 31, 1921, in Seattle, Washington, to a family of entertainers. Her father was a newspaper editor, her mother a stage actress, and her older brother a vaudeville performer.

At the age of 18, Channing moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater and quickly got a job as a chorus girl on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in 1940 in the musical, Let's Face It!, and was soon cast as Dolly Levi in the musical, Hello, Dolly! This role earned her a Tony award in 1964 and became her iconic role.

Throughout her life, Channing starred in many Broadway shows, musicals, and films, such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, The First Traveling Saleslady, and The Love Boat. She was also the voice of the White Queen in the animated film, Alice in Wonderland, and the voice of the Fish in the film, The Little Mermaid.

In addition to her acting career, Channing was also an author, writing several books, including Just Lucky I Guess: A Memoir of Sorts and a cookbook titled, Carol Channing’s Low-Fat Recipes for the 21st Century. She also wrote the lyrics to several songs, including “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the musical, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Channing was a huge philanthropist, giving her time and money to many charities, including the Actors Fund of America, the Society of Singers, and the Hollywood Arts Council. She also gave her time to the United Service Organizations (USO), performing for soldiers and their families during World War II and the Vietnam War.

Channing won numerous awards throughout her life, including the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 1995 and the National Medal of Arts in 1998. She was also inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1981.

Carol Channing passed away in January 2019 at the age of 97. She left behind a legacy of joy, laughter, and entertainment that will be remembered for generations to come.