Good-Bye, Dolly: Carol Channing Gone at 97

Broadway dimmed its lights last night, in honor of Carol Elaine Channing, who died early yesterday morning.

Tony-winning actress Carol Channing, has passed away at the age of 97. As Mrs. Dolly Levi, the lead character of Hello, Dolly, she became the queen of Broadway. Carol Channing was born January 31, 1921, in Seattle, WA. The actress / singer / dancer/ comedian died January 15, 2019 in Rancho Mirage, CA, just shy of her 98th birthday.

Although best known for her work in musical theater, Channing also made a few movies and appeared in many TV shows, but also did voice work for multiple cartoons. She got her theatrical training through Bennington College, where she majored in drama, and through the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

Her roles were varied and many: Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” on Broadway, the role Marilyn Monroe would play on film, a guest on Laugh-In, and television roles in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Love Boat, and Alice in Wonderland.  She also racked up a surprising number of screen credits in genre films, some of which you’ve probably seen and not realized she was in them.

Family Guy (TV Series)
Carol Channing – Celebrity Boxing
– Patriot Games (2006) … Carol Channing – Celebrity Boxing (voice)

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars (Video) [1998]
Fanny (voice)

Touched by an Angel (TV Series)
Carol Channing 
– The Comeback (1997) … Carol Channing

The Magic School Bus (TV Series)
Cornelia C. Contralto II
– In the Haunted House (1994) … Cornelia C. Contralto II (voice)

Thumbelina (1994)
Ms. Fieldmouse (voice)

The Addams Family (TV Series) (1992-1993)
Grandmama Addams (voice)

Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers (TV Series)
Canina LaFur
– They Shoot Dogs, Don’t They (1990) … Canina LaFur (voice)
– A Chorus Crime (1990) … Canina LaFur (voice)

Alice in Wonderland (TV Movie) (1985)
The White Queen

Shinbone Alley (1970)
Mehitabel (voice)

Although Channing won three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy, and was nominated for an Oscar, she considered her greatest honor being named to President Richard Nixon’s infamous enemies list.

She was married four times, widowed twice, and divorced twice. She is survived by her son, cartoonist Chan Lowe.

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Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.