Carole Shelley has passed away

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

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

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.

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

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.

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."

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!

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