1948-09-13

 NELL CARTER, American actress, born (d. 2003) a Tony Award-winning American singer and film, stage, and television actress. She appeared alongside Bette Davis in the 1974 stage musical Miss Moffat, based on Davis’ earlier film The Corn is Green. The show closed before making it to Broadway. She broke into stardom in the musical Ain’t Misbehavin, for which she won a Tony Award in 1978. She also won an Emmy for the same role in a televised performance in 1982. Additional Broadway credits included Dude and Annie.

In 1979 she had a part in the Miloš Forman-directed musical film adaptation of Hair. Her famous vocal talents are showcased throughout the motion picture soundtrack. One of the more memorable moments in the film involves her rendition of the song “White Boys” where she can be seen dancing playfully as she performs the song. Carter died from heart disease complicated by diabetes and obesity on January 23, 2003. She was 54 years old.

She is survived by her two adopted sons (Joshua and Daniel) and a daughter (Tracy), conceived during a rape in her teens, as well as by her partner Ann Kaser. Sadly, her sexuality and relationship with Kaser did not become public knowledge until after her death.