Carol Channing was born January 31, 1921, at Seattle, Washington, the daughter of a prominent newspaper editor, who was very active in the Christian Science movement. She attended high school in San Francisco and later worked as a model in Los Angeles. She attended prestigious Bennington College in Vermont and majored in drama and dance and supplemented her work by taking parts in nearby Pocono Resort area. She initially made her mark on Broadway in "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" playing Lorelei Lee. In "Hello Dolly" she played Dolly Gallagher Levi, the witty, manipulative widow intent upon finding a wealthy husband. The musical won ten Tony awards in 1964, including Channing's for best actress in a comedy. 'Jacqueline Kennedy . Her son is a Pulitizer Prize-nominated finalist cartoonist and she continues to practice her Christian Science religion.
She is the daughter of Adelaide (Glaser) and George Channing (who was born George Christian Stucker). Carols paternal grandfather, George Stucker, was the son of German immigrants, and Carols paternal grandmother, Clara, was African-American. Carols maternal grandparents, Otto Glaser and Paulina Ottmann, were both of German origin. Carol stated in her autobiography, "Just Lucky, I Guess", that her father, who was light-skinned, used one accent to help "pass" in the white world and another around the house, where he sang gospel music to entertain his daughter.
Her trademark, poofy blonde hair has always been achieved by the use of wigs, as shes allergic to bleach.
Son Chan Lowe was the long time, multiple award winning, editorial cartoonist for the Fort Lauderdale/South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Fort Lauderdale for many years before being laid off due to budget cutbacks in January 2015.
Graduated from the prestigious Lowell High School in San Francisco, California in 1938. Her high schools theater is now named after her.
Has three Tony Awards: in 1964, as Best Actress for "Hello, Dolly!"; in 1968, a Special Award; and in 1995, a Lifetime Achievement Award. Was also nominated three other times for Best Actress : in 1956, for "The Vamp;" in 1961, for "Show Girl;" and in 1974, for "Lorelei."
In 1986-1987, toured in the play "Legends" with Mary Martin , the subject of an excellent, highly amusing book by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright James Kirkwood Jr. , "Diary of a Mad Playwright: Perilous Adventures on the Road with Mary Martin and Carol Channing". Despite the pressures, Kirkwood describes Channing as a true professional and a joy to work with.
In 1967, Pearl Bailey replaced her on Broadway when "Hello, Dolly!" was recast as an all-black production.
She donated a dress she wore in the stage production of "Hello, Dolly!" to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution.
An outspoken liberal Democrat, Channings name was included in Richard Nixon s now-famous "enemies list", and she has said that was the highest honor in her career.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
She was awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on October 2, 2010.
(August 2013) Cherry Grove, Fire Island, New York: At age 92, she appeared before over 500 admirers for an interview event, during which she also burst into song while answering questions about her career.
Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1981.
Is one of 26 actresses to have received an Academy Award nomination for their performance in a musical; hers being Thoroughly Modern Millie . The others, in chronological order, are: Bessie Love ( The Broadway Melody ), Grace Moore ( One Night of Love ), Jean Hagen ( Singin in the Rain (1952) ), Marjorie Rambeau ( Torch Song ), Dorothy Dandridge ( Carmen Jones ), Deborah Kerr ( The King and I ), Rita Moreno ( West Side Story ), Gladys Cooper ( My Fair Lady ), Julie Andrews ( Mary Poppins , The Sound of Music , and Victor Victoria ), Debbie Reynolds ( The Unsinkable Molly Brown ), Peggy Wood ( The Sound of Music ), Kay Medford ( Funny Girl ), Barbra Streisand ( Funny Girl ), Liza Minnelli ( Cabaret ), Ronee Blakley ( Nashville ), Lily Tomlin ( Nashville ), Ann-Margret ( Tommy ), Lesley Ann Warren ( Victor Victoria ), Amy Irving ( Yentl ), Nicole Kidman ( Moulin Rouge! ), Queen Latifah ( Chicago ), Catherine Zeta-Jones ( Chicago ), Rene Zellweger ( Chicago ), Jennifer Hudson ( Dreamgirls ), Penlope Cruz ( Nine ), Anne Hathaway ( Les Misrables ), and Meryl Streep ( Into the Woods ).
Returned to work 10 months after giving birth to her son Channing to begin performing in the Broadway production of "Wonderful Town".
Gave birth to her only child at age 32, a son Channing George Carson on March 25, 1953. Childs father is her 2nd husband, Alexander Carson. When she married for a third time (her longest marriage at 43 years), in 1956, to Charles Lowe , her son, Channing George Carson took his stepfathers last name, becoming Channing Lowe.
Friends with: Shirley Jones , Florence Henderson , Bea Arthur , Mickey Rooney , Angela Lansbury , Debbie Reynolds , Jane Powell , Mary Tyler Moore , Liza Minnelli , Charlotte Rae , Betty White , Tommy Tune , Carol Burnett , Lily Tomlin , Ian McKellen , Elizabeth Taylor , Gavin McLeod , Barbara Walters , Alan Cumming , Lauren Bacall , Billy Barnes , June Lockhart , Helen Hayes , Fred MacMurray , Whoopi Goldberg , Jane Wyman , Esther Williams , and Tippi Hedren.
