Channing, Carol (1921–)

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Channing, Carol (1921–)

American actress. Born Jan 31, 1921, in Seattle, Washington; only child of George Channing and Adelaide (Glazer) Channing; attended Bennington College in Vermont; m. briefly to novelist Theodore Naidish; m. Alexander Carson (ex-football player from Canada); m. Charles Lowe (her manager), c. 1957 (div. 1998); children: (2nd m.) son, Channing Lowe (who would be adopted by her 3rd husband).

Award-winning actress best known for her roles as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, found 1st job on Broadway in her junior year in college; gained stardom with her creation of Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949); cast as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! (1964), a role for which she received the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical and which she has since played more than 4,000 times on Broadway and on tour; also appeared on stage in Lend an Ear, Wonderful Town, Lorelei, Jerry's Girls and (tour) Legends; films include Paid in Full (1950), The First Traveling Saleslady (1956), Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), Skidoo (1968) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978). Received Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (1995).

See also Women in World History.