B’WAY WEEPS
Broadway giant Channing is dead at 97
‘HELLO DOLLY’ LEGEND CHANNING DIES, 97 —
Legendary Broadway actress Carol Channing, who also starred on TV and on the big screen, died Tuesday at 97.
She passed away at her California home of natural causes, her publicist Harlan Boll said.
The Seattle native won a Tony Award in 1964 for her performance of the lead role in “Hello, Dolly!”
Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her two children made their first public appearance following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to see Channing's portrayal of Dolly Levi, according to Boll.
Channing appeared in the iconic role for 5,000 performances on Broadway and in other venues.
“I admired her before I met her, and have loved her since the day she stepped . . . into my life,” Boll said. “It is so very hard to see the final curtain lower on a woman who has been a daily part of my life for more than a third of it.”
The current company of “Hello, Dolly!” said in a statedeeply ment that “we are saddened by the passing of the one and only Carol Channing.”
“She was a ‘Dolly' for the ages, and a true icon of the American theater,” the statement read. “Betty Buckley and the cast will dedicate tonight's performance in San Diego to her memory.”
After making her Broadway debut in 1948, Channing appeared in such hits as “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “Show Girl,” “Pygmalion” and “Wonderful Town.”
Channing also won a special Tony Award in 1968. “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of many to offer tributes Tuesday.
“When the whistles blow And the cymbals crash And the sparklers light the sky I'm gonna raise the roof I'm gonna carry on Give me an old trombone Give me an old baton Before the parade passes by!” Goodbye, Carol,” he wrote on Twitter. Added Barbra treisand: Carol was true life orce . . . a ind and efervescent woman who never llowed the arade to ass her y!” In addiion to hining on he stage, hanning arned an scar omination and won a Golden Globe for her performance in the 1967 film “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Channing is also known for giving Clint Eastwood his first onscreen kiss in 1956's “The First Traveling Saleslady.”
She made numerous guest appearances on such popular TV shows as “The Love Boat,” “Hollywood Squares,” “Password,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Nanny,” “Touched by an Angel” and “Family Guy.”
Channing was married four times, including to television producer Charles Lowe for four decades. She sued for divorce in 1998, accusing him of misappropriating her funds and humiliating her.
She was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Seattle, where her father, George Channing, was a newspaper editor. Channing decided at the age of 7 she wanted to become an entertainer, crediting her dad for her passion. “He told me you can dedicate your life at 7 or 97,” she said. “And the people who do that are happier people.”