"C" ALSO Stands For...

...Carter. Nell Carter.



What can we say about the late, great Nell Carter (September 13, 1948 - January 23, 2003), other than the fact that we absolutely loved her?

We could say that she was a phenomenal Broadway performer, who not only won a Tony for her appearance in Ain't Misbehavin', but also an Emmy when she reprised her role for the 1982 televised production. We could say that she was one of our all-time childhood favorites on her 1981-87 sitcom, Gimme a Break!

We could talk about the deep pain and hurt that was only slightly hidden under her brassy exterior -- pain which included a cocaine addiction; an almost desperate need to have children, exacerbated by multiple miscarriages and failed adoption attempts; the loss of her brother to AIDS in 1989; and tumultuous relationships with men and women.

When Nell Carter passed away at the horribly young age of 54, we were filled with sadness, as if we'd lost an old friend. But beyond the tragedy of her early death, and the pain she lived with during her lifetime, Nell Carter's greatest legacy is the absolute joy with which she performed. And we're here to tell you, it takes a supersized talent to make an appearance on a TV network's self-serving promotional special absolutely electrifying. Watch and enjoy, and remember Nell with joy, not sorrow. Happy Birthday, Nell Carter! We know you're, if you'll pardon the expression, raising hell up there.