Nell Ruth Hardy was born on 13 September 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama USA, and was an actress and singer, best known for her Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’”. She also won an Emmy Award for her television reprisal of the role, and all of her efforts helped put her net worth to where it was prior to her passing in 2003.
How rich was Nell Carter? As of late-2016, sources inform us of a net worth that was at $2 million, mostly earned through her success in singing and acting. She’s also known for her part in the sitcom “Gimme a Break!” which earned her several nominations. All of these ensured the position of her wealth.
Nell Carter Net Worth $2 million
Nell started her singing career as a member of a church choir which would lead to singing on a local gospel radio show. She would then perform with the jazz band The Renaissance Ensemble which regularly played around Birmingham, and changing her surname to Carter for unknown reasons. When19 she moved to New York City with the band, where she sang around coffee shops before finding her big break on Broadway.
In 1971, Carter made her Broadway debut in a production of “Soon” which only had three performances. Eventually she became part of the production “What Time of Night It Is” as the Music Director, and around the same time she made an appearance with Bette Davis in the stage musical “Miss Moffat”. She would then reach stardom after appearing in the 1978 musical “Ain’t Misbehavin”, for which she won a Tony Award. Four years later, she would reprise the role on television and score an Emmy Award. Her net worth was rising.
She also became a part of a production of “Dreamgirls”, and appeared in the soap opera “Ryan’s Hope”. She was cast in the film adaptation of “Hair,” and then found a steady role in “Gimme a Break!” which got her nominations for two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes, being part of the show until the end of its run in 1987, then continuing to pursue other television projects including “Morton’s By the Bay”. During the next year, she starred in the series “You Take the Kids”, which was cancelled due to low ratings. She would then work on numerous projects, including game shows, television specials, and low budget films. She also starred in “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” from 1993 to 1995.
During this time, she was also cast in a Broadway revival of “Annie” but was later replaced after a commercial was shown with a white woman portraying her role. In 2001, she appeared in the pilot of the show “Reba” and would then make guest appearances in “Ally McBeal”. Her final appearance on screen was in the film “Back to Midnight”, actually released two years after her death.
For her personal life, it is known that Nell had consistent problems with drugs after becoming a part of “Gimme a Break!” She also attempt suicide during this time. In 1982, she converted to Judaism, and married mathematician George Krynicki; they had three children, two of whom were adopted. They would eventually divorce and she would marry Roger Larocque but it only lasted for a year. In 1995, she declared bankruptcy and did so once again in 2002. She had been previously been treated for two brain aneurysms, but passed away in 2003 due to diabetes complications.
Full Name
Nell Carter
Net Worth
$2 Million
Date Of Birth
September 13, 1948
Died
January 23, 2003, Beverly Hills, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height
1.5 m
Profession
Singer
Education
A. H. Parker High School
Nationality
American
Spouse
Roger Larocque (m. 1992–1993), George Krynicki (m. 1982–1992)
Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Obie Award for Performance, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Movies
Modern Problems, Bébé's Kids, The Grass Harp, Hair, Maid for Each Other, The Crazysitter, Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story, The Proprietor, Back by Midnight, Fakin' da Funk, Back Roads, Sealed with a Kiss, Cindy, Swing, Perfect Fit
TV Shows
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, You Take the Kids, Ryan's Hope, Gimme a Break!, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, Baryshnikov on Broadway, Ain't Misbehavin'
#
Trademark
1
Short stature.
2
Southern accent.
3
Her husky voice.
#
Quote
1
When I was growing up, it was not something you aspired to. I was a weirdo to want to be in show business. Most kids wanted to be teachers or nurses.
2
(About the 20th Anniversary revival of "Annie") "I want this show to run for at least three years with me in it, then I want to take a week off".
#
Fact
1
Best remembered by the public for her starring role as Nell Ruth Harper on Gimme a Break! (1981).
2
Attended the funeral of Dolph Sweet, when the actor passed away in 1985.
3
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 70-72. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
Nell performed at an AIDS benefit in 1996, a tribute to actress Angela Lansbury. Her brother, Bernard, died of AIDS in 1989.
6
Appeared in support of Bette Davis in the 1974 musical production of "Miss Moffat", which was based on the Davis movie The Corn Is Green (1945). The show closed before it made it to Broadway.
7
Was actually the first Effie Melody White in the musical stage version of "Dreamgirls". Nell left the musical after the initial workshop to move to Los Angeles and work on TV. Michael Bennett then chose Jennifer Holliday for the role.
8
Her bisexuality was not public knowledge until after her death.
9
Won Broadway's 1978 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical" for "Ain't Misbehavin'," a part she recreated in an Emmy-winning performance in the television version with the same title, Ain't Misbehavin' (1982).
10
Filed for bankruptcy a few months before her death.
11
Her last work was on the feature Swing (2003), directed by Martin Guigui, in which she plays nurse Grace in a lovely scene with Jonathan Winters.
On the day before she died, Nell was rehearsing for a play, "Raisin", in Long Beach, California. There, she gave an impromptu interview with a Los Angeles Times staff reporter which reflected emotionally about her beginnings in Alabama. The Times also took the last photograph of Nell Carter - which was a beautiful candid shot.
14
Was married and divorced twice. She was survived by her partner, Ann Kaser, an adult daughter, Tracy, and two (adopted) 13-year-old sons, Joshua and Daniel (as of 2003).
15
Struggled with alcohol and drugs, eventually shaking her addictions through a 12-step program.
16
In addition to winning Broadway's Tony award for her role in "Ain't Misbehavin'," she also won an Emmy in 1982 for Ain't Misbehavin' (1982) (the TV broadcast of the show), and received two Emmy nominations in 1982 and 1983 for her role on the TV sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981).
17
Collapsed in her home where she was found dead by 13-year-old son Joshua. Had undergone two brain operations in 1992 to fix aneurysms.
18
She played Miss Hannigan in the 20th Anniversary revival of "Annie" from January of 1997 to January of 1998.
19
Was diabetic.
20
Converted to Judaism prior to her marriage to George Krynicki.
21
She adopted 2 sons just before her divorce from Krynicki was finalised.
22
Won an Obie award for "Ain't Misbehavin'."
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1997
TV Series
Mary
Fakin' Da Funk
1997
Claire
Sparks
1997
TV Series
Barbara Rogers
Brotherly Love
1997
TV Series
Nell Bascombe
Spider-Man
1995-1997
TV Series
Glory Grant
The Blues Brothers Animated Series
1997
TV Series
Betty Smythe
The Proprietor
1996
Millie Jackson
Can't Hurry Love
1996
TV Series
Mrs. Bradstock
The Misery Brothers
1995
Courtroom Singer
The Grass Harp
1995
Catherine Creek
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1993-1995
TV Series
P.J. Moore
The Crazysitter
1994
The Warden
Bébé's Kids
1992
Vivian (voice)
Jake and the Fatman
1992
TV Series
Ethel Mae Haven
Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story
1992
TV Movie
Lucille Gathers
Maid for Each Other
1992
TV Movie
Jasmine Jones
You Take the Kids
1990-1991
TV Series
Nell Kirkland
227
1989
TV Series
Beverly Morris
Gimme a Break!
1981-1987
TV Series
Nellie Ruth 'Nell' Harper
Shalom Sesame
1987
TV Series
Special Guest (1992)
Amen
1986
TV Series
Bess Richards
The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour
1982
TV Series
Modern Problems
1981
Dorita
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo
1980-1981
TV Series
Sgt. Hildy Jones
Back Roads
1981
Waitress
Ryan's Hope
1978-1979
TV Series
Ethel Green
Cindy
1978
TV Movie
Olive (as Nell-Ruth Carter)
Back by Midnight
2004
Waitress
Swing
2003/I
Grace
Ally McBeal
2002
TV Series
Harriet Pumple
Reba
2001
TV Series
Dr. Susan Peters
Perfect Fit
2001
Mrs. Gordy
Seven Days
2001
TV Series
Lucy
Touched by an Angel
2001
TV Series
Cynthia Winslow
Blue's Clues
2001
TV Series
Mother Nature
Special Delivery
1999/I
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
1999
Video
Mrs. Claus (voice)
Sealed with a Kiss
1999
TV Movie
Mrs. Wheatley
Follow Your Heart
1999
Bus Driver
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Great Performances
1985-2004
TV Series performer - 3 episodes
Swing
2003/I
performer: "Amazing Grace", "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby", "Night Angel"
Ally McBeal
2002
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Proprietor
1996
performer: "Will the Circle Be Unbroken"
The 65th Annual Academy Awards
1993
TV Special performer: "Friend Like Me"
The 43rd Annual Tony Awards
1989
TV Special performer: "Mean to Me"
Dolly
1988
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The 40th Annual Tony Awards
1986
TV Special performer: "Aquarius", "Broadway Baby", "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Memory", "The Best of Times", "Muddy Water"
Gimme a Break!
1984
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The 35th Annual Tony Awards
1981
TV Special performer: "Honeysuckle Rose"
Hair
1979
performer: "Ain't Got No", "White Boys"
The 32nd Annual Tony Awards
1978
TV Special performer: "Off-Time"
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Swing
2003/I
in memory of
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
E! True Hollywood Story
2003
TV Series documentary
Herself
Inside TV Land: African Americans in Television
2002
TV Movie documentary
Herself
In Performance at the White House
2001
TV Special
Weakest Link
2001
TV Series
Herself
Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel
2001
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story
2000
TV Movie documentary
Great Performances
1985-1999
TV Series
Herself - Performer / Herself
Stars Over Mississippi
1999
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Match Game
1998
TV Series
Herself / panelist
The 52nd Annual Tony Awards
1998
TV Special
Himself - Presenter: Best Original Score & Best Orchestrations
The 51st Annual Tony Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself - Performer
Working in the Theatre
1997
TV Series documentary
Herself
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
1996
TV Movie
Herself - Performer
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996
TV Series
Herself
Marvin Hamlisch & the Pittsburgh Pops
1996
TV Special
Herself
You Don't Know Jack: Volume 2
1996
Video Game
Herself - Celebrity Guest Appearance (voice)
The 48th Annual Tony Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Kathie Lee Gifford's Celebration of Motherhood
1993
TV Movie
Herself
The 65th Annual Academy Awards
1993
TV Special
Herself - Performer
In a New Light: A Call to Action in the War Against AIDS
1992
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Jaleel White Special
1992
TV Movie
Herself
The 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1992
TV Special
Herself - Performer
Voices that Care
1991
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Choir Member
The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1991
TV Special
Herself
70th Annual Miss America Pageant
1990
TV Special
Herself - Judge
The Home Show
1990
TV Series
Herself
The 4th Annual American Comedy Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
1990
TV Special
Herself
Lou Rawls Parade of Stars
1983-1989
TV Series
Herself
The Joan Rivers Show
1989
TV Series
Herself
The Pat Sajak Show
1989
TV Series
Herself
The 43rd Annual Tony Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Best Scenic, Lighting & Costume Design
The 3rd Annual American Comedy Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself
Presidential Inaugural Gala
1989
TV Movie
Herself
The 42nd Annual Tony Awards
1988
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988
TV Special
Herself
Dolly
1988
TV Series
Herself
Las Vegas: An All-Star 75th Anniversary
1987
TV Special
Herself
The New Hollywood Squares
1986-1987
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
The Late Show
1986-1987
TV Series
Herself
19th Annual NAACP Image Awards
1987
TV Special
Herself
Nell Carter Special
1986
TV Movie
Herself
The 40th Annual Tony Awards
1986
TV Special
Herself - Performer & Presenter: Best Costume Design
Hour Magazine
1986
TV Series
Herself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1986
TV Special
Herself
NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration
1986
TV Special documentary
Herself
Nell Carter... Never Too Old to Dream
1986
TV Movie
Herself
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
1985
TV Movie
Herself
The 11th Annual People's Choice Awards
1985
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Favourite Country Music Performer
Circus of the Stars #10
1985
TV Special documentary
Herself
The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1985
TV Special
Herself - Performer
The NBC All Star Hour
1985
TV Movie
Herself
Santa Barbara
1985
TV Series
Herself
Night of 100 Stars II
1985
TV Movie
Herself
The 42nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
1985
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Christmas in Washington
1984
TV Movie
Herself
Super Bloopers and Pratical Jokes
1984
TV Series
Herself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Mr. T
1984
TV Special
Herself
The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1983
TV Special
Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
The 40th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1983
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
Ain't Misbehavin'
1982
TV Movie
Herself
The New Battlestars
1981-1982
TV Series
Herself
Night of 100 Stars
1982
TV Special
Herself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1981
TV Movie
Herself
The Merv Griffin Show
1981
TV Series
Herself
The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1981
TV Special
Herself - Performer
Marie
1981
TV Series
Herself
The 35th Annual Tony Awards
1981
TV Special
Herself - Performer
The Big Show
1980
TV Series
Herself
Baryshnikov on Broadway
1980
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Mike Douglas Show
1980
TV Series
Herself - Actress
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1980
TV Series
Herself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1979
TV Special
Herself
The 32nd Annual Tony Awards
1978
TV Special
Herself - Performer & Winner: Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Archive Footage
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1982
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class
Ain't Misbehavin' (1982)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1985
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Gimme a Break! (1981)
1983
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical