Diva Divine: Nell Carter

She was big, she was mean and she helped checked Liza Minnelli into rehab before anyone else could! Nell Carter was a lady above all on Broadway who's talents are sorely missed. She died in 2003 from heart complications. Most people will remember her from her short lived 80s show Gimme A Break. I remember Nell as a true performer and Diva Divine!

Annie Mar 26, 1997 - Oct 19, 1997
Angela Lansbury - A Celebration Nov 17, 1996 - Nov 17, 1996
Ain't Misbehavin' Aug 15, 1988 - Jan 15, 1989
Ain't Misbehavin' May 9, 1978 - Feb 21, 1982
Dude Oct 9, 1972 - Oct 21, 1972
Soon Jan 12, 1971 - Jan 13, 1971

You may have spotted Nell in Hair the movie. Or you may have seen her on various sitcoms on ABC. Ms. Carter got her start though from Ain't Misbehavin' where she won the 1978 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress. From the second number where she sang Honeysuckle Rose with Ken Page, to the moment when she belts out Cash For You Trash, and ending with her breaking your heart with Mean To Me.

Nell's rights to the Tony Award were secured with those amazing numbers. Especially when she had competition such as Imogene Coca (On The Twentieth Century), Ann Reinking (Dancin') and her own cast mate Charlaine Woodard.


Nell is [theatrically] legendary because she was supposed to be the original Effie White in Dreamgirls! This is a lesser known fact, but she was signed onto the project. She dropped it to do Gimme A Break. There is a rare 1979 Dreamgirls workshop recording done with some of the original songs that were never used in the show. Nell Carter does sing One Night Only and let me tell you. If she'd done that show, Effie 'Melody' White would've been much bitchier.

In the recording Ms. Carter is singing the song and (I am not sure if it's part of the original show or in the actual studio) someone tells Effie/Nell to speed the song up and Nell just screams, "NO!!!!" Then continues singing. I like to believe that Nell was giving sass to Michael Bennett, but who knows.


Nell's last famous Broadway role was in the revival of Annie in 1997. She played Miss Hannigan. Now I would give my left ball to see Dorothy Loudon in the original run. I would gladly give up my right one to see Nell in the revival! Therefore leaving me ball-less, but a happy homosexual.

Enjoy Nell singing Mean to Me. You will always be remembered Nell.