Carole Shelley has passed away

[615theatreguy]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 5:17pm

Rest in Peace, Carole Shelley. I saw a few people talking about it on Twitter today, and Broadway World has just officially confirmed it. 

Broadway World Article

Jody Gelb Tweet

Stephanie J. Block Tweet

She was a true treasure. I loved seeing her pop-up in John Mulaney's recent Netflix special.

Updated On: 9/1/18 at 05:17 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 5:23pm

Soooo sad. And I was JUST watching her again this past week in The Odd Couple after Neil Simon’s passing on Sunday.

May she rest in peace. What an amazing career.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 5:28pm

Wonderful lady. I will
always cherish my Stepping Out days.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 5:48pm

I wonder if Wicked might do something special in honor of her. She deserves it. So sad. I hope they dim the lights for her, but I doubt it.

[Tag]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 5:58pm

^I'm sure the Gershwin will, but mostly likely not the rest of Broadway.

[Ryantheatrekid]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 5:59pm

Rest In Peace. This is so sad! She had such an amazing career.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 6:13pm

So that people don't forget that Shelley had a longstanding career in the theatre outside of Wicked, among her EXTENSIVE list of credits, she was a four-time Tony nominee and one-time winner.

- 1975 Featured Actress in a Play (Absurd Person Singular)

- 1979 Lead Actress in a Play (The Elephant Man) - WINNER

- 1987 Featured Actress in a Play (Stepping Out)

- 2009 Featured Actress in a Musical (Billy Elliot)

She was most recently on Broadway as a replacement for Miss Shingle in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 6:49pm

I first saw Carole in the original production of Noises Off.

[castlestreet]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 6:53pm

RIP

What a lovely and talented person-loved her!

[castlestreet]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 6:54pm

RIP

What a lovely and talented person-loved her!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 7:04pm

I will best remember her as Mrs. Kendal, opposite Philip Anglim, in the original Broadway production of ''The Elephant Man.'' As Mrs. Kendal, Shelley shone as a socialite who is touched by John Merrick and sees his humanity. But the role is really a supporting one.

And indeed, in the 2014 revival with Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, who played her, was considered Featured Actress. But in that original, Shelley was not only up for Leading Actress, she won the Tony, tying with Constance Cummings in ''Wings.''

Below is the footage from that 1979 Tonys. Barnard Hughes reads the names of the Best Actress nominees around 58:50. The tie brought a gasp. Cummings couldn't be there, but Shelley was. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mggp8wzPXQw

Updated On: 9/1/18 at 07:04 PM

[cliffordbradshaw2]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 7:30pm

As Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy4UseupDck&t=164s

[markypoo]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 8:02pm

She was a marvelous Nora in the Goodman's 1973 production of A DOLL'S HOUSE; stopping the show cold in order to request that a screaming infant be ejected from the theatre.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 9:33pm

markypoo said: "She was a marvelous Nora in the Goodman's 1973 production of A DOLL'S HOUSE; stopping the show cold in order to request that a screaming infant be ejected from the theatre."

 

Were you there? Tell us more!

 

R.I.P.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 10:02pm

I first saw her with a High School group in As You Like It at Stratford Ontario. At the time, I recognized her as a Cukoo Sister (Gwendolyn or Cecily?) on The The Old Couple on both TV and film. She also led the talkback for students afterward, so I always had a soft spot for her when I'd see her in various TV roles.
It was a treat to see her in the preview tour of Wicked and then again in NY in Billy Elliott.
Rest in Peace, Miss Shelley.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 8:31am

I worked with Carole in the early 1990s and we stayed in intermittent touch ever since. She was truly a one-of-a-kind person, caring and friendly, and an absolute pro. She'd been ill the last few years but still continued working despite receiving treatment, and most people probably would have had no idea she was sick. I'll miss her dearly.

[markypoo]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 9:17am

TotallyEffed said: "markypoo said: "She was a marvelous Nora in the Goodman's 1973 production of A DOLL'S HOUSE; stopping the show cold in order to request that a screaming infant be ejected from the theatre."
 

Oh, yes; I was there.

Completely unexpected; I had never previously witnessed something like that in the theatre.

I give here credit; IMHO the baby should not have been present in the first place.

Actors like Maureen Anderman and Philip Kerr were also in the cast, but their names probably don't mean that much anymore; I don't know.




Were you there? Tell us more!



R.I.P."

 

[Nydiva76]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 9:18am

I'm heartbroken. I knew she was quite ill and about some of the tribulations she's been through in the last few years; but I had just spoken to her a few weeks ago, and she was still in fighting spirit. So very many lovely memories over the years as both fan and friend. The epitome of class and a performing brilliance that will never again be matched.

[JennH]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 11:36am

Sad day....my first intros to her and I didn't know it at the time, were her few voice roles in a couple of my favorite Disney movies, and I just found out she was a small guest role on Frasier and I didn't recognize her AT ALL! 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 12:54pm

I will order a "Triple Drambuie on crushed ice" in her memory.

RIP Ms. Shelley, thanks for the good times.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 5:04pm

She was the first person to return a fan letter I wrote to her while she was in Wicked. ( also mind you, I was young, and didn't know you should send a self stamped envelope, especially if you are from out of country (Canada) ). I told her that even though I didn't see her in the show, just through the look, and album she was better as Morrible than Carol Kane who I saw on tour. She sent me a note ( on personalized stationary) and a sign photo. She wrote she didn't know what to say, but thank you. She signed it "the other Carol". So, later when I saw the OBC of Billy Elliot I was so pleased to see her in person. 

Updated On: 9/2/18 at 05:04 PM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 9/5/18 at 6:48am

Dimming the lights of only select theatres- is that a common thing recently?