Nell Carter
Born
September 13, 1948
Died
January 23, 2003 (54 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
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
The Little Pageant That Could
Self (archive footage)
2024
Back By Midnight
Waitress
2005
Broadway's Lost Treasures II
Performer (segment "Ain't Misbehavin'")
2004
Swing
Grace
2003
Reba
(3 episodes)
2001
Perfect Fit
Mrs. Gordy
2001
The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story
2000
My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies
Self - Performer
1999
Sealed with a Kiss
Mrs. Wheatley
1999
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Mrs. Claus (voice)
1999
Seven Days
(1 episode)
1998
Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special
Mary (voice)
1997
Ally McBeal
Harriet Pumple · (2 episodes)
1997
Fakin' Da Funk
Claire
1997
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
Self
1996
The Grass Harp
Catherine Creek
1996
The Proprietor
Millie Jackson
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Can't Hurry Love
Mrs. Bradstock · (1 episode)
1995
Brotherly Love
Nell Bascombe · (1 episode)
1995
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Mary (voice) · (1 episode)
1995
The Misery Brothers
Courtroom Singer
1995
The Crazysitter
The Warden
1994
Spider-Man
Glory Grant (voice) · (2 episodes)
1994
Touched by an Angel
Cynthia Winslow · (2 episodes)
1994
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
P.J. Moore · (44 episodes)
1992
Bebe's Kids
Vivian (voice)
1992
Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story
Lucille Gathers
1992
The Jaleel White Special
1992
Maid for Each Other
Jasmine Jones
1992
Voices That Care
Self - Choir Member
1991
You Take the Kids
Nell Kirkland · (6 episodes)
1990
Morton's by the Bay
Maggie · (1 episode)
1989
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Nell Carter
1988
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Self
1988
Jake and the Fatman
(1 episode)
1987
Amen
(1 episode)
1986
227
(1 episode)
1985
The Best of Broadway
Herself
1985
Night of 100 Stars II
Self
1985
Christmas in Washington
1984
Christmas in Washington
Self · (1 episode)
1982
Ain't Misbehavin'
Performer
1982
Night of 100 Stars
Self
1982
The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour
(1 episode)
1982
Modern Problems
Dorita
1981
Gimme a Break!
Nell Harper · (137 episodes)
1981
Back Roads
Waitress
1981
Baryshnikov on Broadway
Self
1980
The Big Show
Self · (3 episodes)
1980
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo
Sgt. Hildy Jones · (37 episodes)
1979
Hair
Ain't Got No' / 'White Boys
1979
Cindy
Olive
1978
People's Choice Awards
Self - Presenter · (1 episode)
1975
Great Performances
Self · (1 episode)
1971
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (2 episodes)
1962
The Oscars
Self · (1 episode)
1953