Nell Carter
Biography
Nell Carter (born Nell Ruth Hardy; September 13, 1948 – January 23, 2003) was an American singer and actress.
Carter began her career in 1970, singing in the theater, and later crossed over to television. She was best known for her role as Nell Harper on the sitcom Gimme a Break! which originally aired from 1981 to 1987. Carter received two Emmy and two Golden Globe award nominations for her work on the series. Prior to Gimme a Break!, Carter won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical in 1978 for her performance in the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin' as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for her reprisal of the role on television in 1982
Gallery
Known For
Acting History
2024
The Little Pageant That Could as Self (archive footage)
2005Back By Midnight as Waitress
2004Broadway's Lost Treasures II as Performer (segment "Ain't Misbehavin'")
2003Swing as Grace
2001Reba as Dr. Susan Peters
2001Perfect Fit as Mrs. Gordy
2000The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story
1999My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies as Self - Performer
1999Sealed with a Kiss as Mrs. Wheatley
1999We Wish You a Merry Christmas as Mrs. Claus (voice)
1998Seven Days
1997Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special as Mary (voice)
1997Ally McBeal as Harriet Pumple
1997Fakin' Da Funk as Claire
1996A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury as Self
1996The Grass Harp as Catherine Creek
1996The Proprietor as Millie Jackson
1996The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Self
1995Can't Hurry Love as Mrs. Bradstock
1995Brotherly Love as Nell Bascombe
1995Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as Mary (voice)
1995The Misery Brothers as Courtroom Singer
1994The Crazysitter as The Warden
1994Spider-Man as Glory Grant (voice)
1994Touched by an Angel as Cynthia Winslow
1992Hangin' with Mr. Cooper as P.J. Moore
1992Bebe's Kids as Vivian (voice)
1992Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story as Lucille Gathers
1992The Jaleel White Special
1992Maid for Each Other as Jasmine Jones
1991Voices That Care as Self - Choir Member
1990You Take the Kids as Nell Kirkland
1989Morton's by the Bay as Maggie
1988Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz as Nell Carter
1988Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration as Self
1987Jake and the Fatman
1986Amen
1985The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985227
1985The Best of Broadway as Herself
1985Night of 100 Stars II as Self
1984Christmas in Washington
1982Christmas in Washington as Self
1982Ain't Misbehavin' as Performer
1982Night of 100 Stars as Self
1982The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour
1981Modern Problems as Dorita
1981Gimme a Break! as Nell Harper
1981Back Roads as Waitress
1980Baryshnikov on Broadway as Self
1980The Big Show as Self
1979The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo as Sgt. Hildy Jones
1979Hair as Ain't Got No' / 'White Boys
1978Cindy as Olive
1975People's Choice Awards as Self - Presenter
1971Great Performances as Self
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
1953The Oscars as Self