Broadway star Carol Channing dies at 97

Broadway legend Carol Channing has died at 97.

Channing's publicist confirmed her death to Broadway News Tuesday, doing so with "extreme heartache." The New York Times reports she died at her Rancho Mirage home after having suffered two strokes in the past year.

Born in 1921, Channing's first major Broadway role was as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but she is best known for her subsequent iconic performance as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! This role would come to define her career and won her the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical in 1964.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Outside of Broadway, Channing also acted in television and film, such as in the 1967 musical comedy Thoroughly Modern Millie, in which she starred alongside Julie Andrews. For that performance, Channing received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as an Academy Award nomination.

Channing's publicist honored her Tuesday by saying that "I know that when I feel those uncontrollable urges to laugh at everything and/or nothing at all, it will be because she is with me, tickling my funny bone."