Carol Channing
Acting
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.
Known for
Acting87
movieCommitment to Life
2023
Self (archive)
tvRuPaul's Drag Race
2009
Self - Video Message
movieBroadway's Lost Treasures
2003
Dolly Levi (segment "Hello, Dolly!")
movieGreat Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show
2003
Lorelei Lee (archive footage)
tvFamily Guy
1999
Carol Channing (voice)
tvHollywood Squares
1998
Self - Panelist
movieThe Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
1998
Fanny (voice)
tvThe View
1997
Self
tvThe Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996
Self - Guest
tvThe Drew Carey Show
1995
Carol Channing
tvTouched by an Angel
1994
Carol Channing
tvThe Magic School Bus
1994
Cornelia C. Contralto II (voice)
movieThumbelina
1994
Ms. Fieldmouse (voice)
tvBurke's Law
1994
Daphne LeMay
tvThe Nanny
1993
Carol Channing
tvThe Addams Family
1992
Grandmama (voice)
tvWhere's Wally?
1991
(voice)
movieHappily Ever After
1989
Muddy (voice)
movieGeorge Burns: His Wit and Wisdom
1989
Self - Burns Dinner Friend (uncredited)
tvChip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers
1989
Canina LaFur (voice)
tvAlice in Wonderland
1985
White Queen
tvMagnum, P.I.
1980
Carol Channing
movieSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1978
Our Guests at Heartland
tvThe Love Boat
1977
Sylvia Duvall / Aunt Sylvia / Aunt Sylvia Duvall
tvThe Muppet Show
1976
Self - Special Guest Star
The 1974 Annual Las Vegas Entertainment Awards
1974
Self - Presenter
movieFree to Be… You and Me
1974
Self (voice) (uncredited)
movieShinbone Alley
1970
Mehitabel (voice)
movieSkidoo
1968
Flo Banks
tvRowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
Self / Self (uncredited)
tvThe Carol Burnett Show
1967
Self / Self - Guest / Various Characters
movieThoroughly Modern Millie
1967
Muzzy Van Hossmere
The Carol Channing Show
1966
Carol Honeycutt
movieShow Girl
1961
Lynn / Naomi / Performer
The Christmas Tree
1958
Promenade Member
The George Burns Show
1958
Carol Channing / Self
movieThe First Traveling Saleslady
1956
Molly Wade
tvTony Awards
1956
Self - Presenter / Self - Recipient / Self - Presenter / Performer
tvThe Oscars
1953
Self
moviePaid in Full
1950
Mrs. Peters (uncredited)
tvWhat's My Line?
1950
Self - Mystery Guest / Self - Panelist
tvGolden Globe Awards
1944
Self - Presenter