Carol Channing Headshot

Carol Channing

Birth Place: Seattle, WA, USA

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Carol Channing BIO

Channing is the recipient of three Tony Awards (including one for lifetime achievement), a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. Channing is best remembered for originating, on Broadway, the musical-comedy roles of bombshell Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and matchmaking widow Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! She also appeared in two New York revivals of Hello, Dolly!, and toured with it extensively throughout the United States.
Channing also appeared in a number of movies, The First Traveling Sales Lady (1956) with Ginger Rogers, the cult film Skidoo and Thoroughly Modern Millie, opposite Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore.

Carol Channing Photos

Carol Channing STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1995
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1985
Performer

[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1980
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1978
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi

[Broadway]
1974
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1974
Performer

Lorelei Lee

Dessert

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 1966
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1961
The Palace Theatre

The Inside Story

The Foreign Star

Report from Las Vegas

"The Girl in the Show" Performer

Carol's Musical Theatre

"The Story of Marie" Performer

"My Kind of Love" Performer

"Calypso Pete" Performer

Performer

Naomi

Lynn

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1955
Flora Weems

Flora Weems

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1954
Ruth

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1953
Ruth Sherwood [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1949
Lorelei Lee

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1948
Henry Jones' Mother

Mrs. Playgoer

Wife

Girl

"Three Little Queens of the Silver Screen" Singer

Te Countess

Singer

Performer

[Broadway]
1942
Steve

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1941
Maggie Watson (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Broadway], 1941
Performer

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1952
Performer


Carol Channing Movies

The First Traveling Saleslady
[ 1956 ] Molly Wade
Thoroughly Modern Millie
[ 1967 ] Muzzy Van Hossmere
Skidoo
[ 1968 ] Flo
Shinbone Alley
[ 1970 ] Mehitabel
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
[ 1978 ] Our Guests at Heartland
Happily Ever After
[ 1989 ] Muddy
Thumbelina
[ 1994 ] Ms. Fieldmouse
The Drawn Together Movie!
[ 2010 ] Singer

Carol Channing TV Shows

The Love Boat
Aunt Sylvia, Aunt Sylvia Duvall, Tante Sylvia

Carol Channing Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Carol ChanningHello, Dolly!


winner
Tony Awards - 1995 - Special Tony Award

Carol Channing

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Actress of the Year in a Musical

Carol Channing , Hello, Dolly!

Tony Awards - 1974 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Carol Channing, Lorelei


winner
Tony Awards - 1968 - Special Tony Award

Carol Channing


winner
Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Carol Channing, Hello, Dolly!

Tony Awards - 1961 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Carol Channing, Show Girl

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Carol Channing, The Vamp


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1949 - Performance

Carol Channing, Lend an Ear

Carol Channing Videos

Carol Channing News


Vanguard University's Department Of Theatre Arts Presents Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST


Experience the magic of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST presented by Vanguard University's award-winning theatre arts department.

Review: Andrea McArdle Tells the Tale of a Broadway Baby at 54 Below


Shining like a beacon, Andrea McArdle wowed the crowd at CONFESSIONS OF A BROADWAY BABY on March 29, 2024 at 54 Below. This reviewer, along with the rest of those in the audience, was completely overwhelmed at the performance. There is one more performance tonight at 7 pm - get your tickets now!

Marilyn Maye, Abby Mueller And More Take the Stage Next Month At 54 Below


Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Review: ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE delights Sanders Theatre audience


What did our critic think of ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE at Sanders Theatre? In his eponymous show Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, the performer definitely lives up to the title.

Angie Radosh Will Lead HELLO DOLLY! at LPAC


Hello Dolly! will close out the 2024 Broadway at LPAC season.  The production, which will star three-time Carbonell Award-winning actress Angie Radosh as the irrepressible Dolly Gallagher Levi, will run from April 4th through April 21st at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.  

Margaret Curry Brings An Encore of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN At Laurie Beechman Theatre!


Catch Margaret Curry's encore performances of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN at Laurie Beechman Theatre on April 6 and May 4. Don't miss the 2024 Bistro Award-winning show.

Margaret Curry Brings THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN to the Laurie Beechman Theatre


2024 Bistro Award-winning vocalist Margaret Curry will return to Laurie Beechman Theatre in encore performances of The Space In-Between, originally performed on November 30, 2023.

Interview: RICHARD SKIPPER Celebrates HELLO DOLLY at Laurie Beechman Theatre


Richard Skipper, HELLO, DOLLY! historian and friend of the late great Carol Channing, is celebrating the beloved show on its 60th anniversary, with one more performance in Manhattan on March 29th at 7 pm featuring former Dolly alum Lorna Dallas. We spoke about the first sold out show and the enduring legacy of Dolly.

Dancers Over 40 Brings a Roast of Lee Roy Reams to 54 Below


Dancers Over 40 will celebrate its 30th anniversary as an organization with its first ever – and 54 Below’s first ever roast. The event will focus on Mr. Broadway himself, DO40 member and former board member Lee Roy Reams! 

New Work Series WITCHES, QUEERS AND CLOWNS Will Bring A Host of Radical Artists to HERE in March


The three-week performance series will feature music, theater, comedy and cabaret work from Matt Bovee, Scout Davis, Amy Jo Jackson, Dan Mills and Ben Thornewill, Kristin McCarthy Parker, Adam J. Rineer, and others, as well as the world premiere of Witches!? In Salem?! by Matt Cox (Puffs).

Vivian Reed, Lee Roy Reams, and Jean-Pierre Perreaux Will Receive MAC Lifetime Achievement Awards


The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has made initial announcement of the upcoming 38th Annual MAC Awards. The awards presentation and show will take place on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm.

Robert Klein and Julie Gold Among The 14 Honorees At The 39th Annual BISTRO AWARDS GALA


Celebrate the musical and comedy artistry of Robert Klein, Julie Gold, and more at the 39th Annual Bistro Awards Gala on April 1 at Gotham Comedy Club. Hosted by Steve Hayes, the event honors exceptional artists with performances and special awards.

Forte Theatre Company Announces Cast of HELLO, DOLLY!


​​​​​​​Forte Theatre Company will present Hello, Dolly! April 13 - 21, 2024. Directed by Randall Dodge, this is Forte's third mainstage production at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin and the first as part of the Saber Center's inaugural Community Events Series.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld January 31, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 31, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Review: HELLO DOLLY! at Candlelight Music Theatre


Hello Dolly! Opened on Broadway in 1964 with the irrepressible, wide-eyed, charismatic Carol Channing in the title role, winning 10 Tony’s including Best Musical and Best Actress for Channing. The show was her signature and, to understate, she held it close. An understudy once remarked that she was looking forward to subbing in for her. “Don’t hold your breath, sister”. Channing played the part over 5000 times.

Review: Telly Leung at Theatre Raleigh


Kicking off Theatre Raleigh’s 2024 concert series is Broadway star Telly Leung. For those unfamiliar, he has appeared in long-running hits such as Rent and Aladdin, revivals of Flower Drum Song, Pacific Overtures, and Godspell, as well as short-lived musicals such as Allegiance and In Transit.

Musical Theatre Melodies Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Carol Channing in LORELEI With Lee Roy Reams


Musical Theatre Melodies, hosted by Rob Morrison, will mark the 50th anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Carol Channing in Lorelei (based on Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) by Jule Styne, Leo Robin, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, featuring an interview with original cast member, Tony Award nominee Lee Roy Reams, on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, January 30th,

Photos & Video: Celebrate 60 Years of HELLO, DOLLY!


60 years ago today, on January 16, 1964, Hello, Dolly! arrived on Broadway. Check out some videos to celebrate the show!

Richard Skipper to Celebrate HELLO, DOLLY! With Lee Roy Reams at The Laurie Beechman Theater


Join Richard Skipper and Lee Roy Reams as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of the beloved musical Hello Dolly!

Musical Theatre Melodies Celebrates The 60th Anniversary of HELLO, DOLLY!


The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, January 16 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!

Carol Channing FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Carol Channing been in?

Carol Channing has appeared on Broadway in 12 shows.

How many West End shows has Carol Channing been in?

Carol Channing has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Carol Channing been nominated for?

Carol Channing has been nominated for several awards throughout her career, including Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for Hello, Dolly!, Actress of the Year in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for Hello, Dolly!, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Lorelei, Hello, Dolly!, Show Girl, and The Vamp, a Special Tony Award, and a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for Lend an Ear.

What awards has Carol Channing won?

Carol Channing has won several awards, including a Special Tony Award (Tony Awards), a Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hello, Dolly!, and a Performance award (Theatre World Awards) for Lend an Ear.

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