The Brief Life & Tragic Death of Nell Carter ('Gimme A Break' & 'Ain't Misbehavin'): 21 Years Later

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It's been 21 years since actress/singer Nell Carter, best known for the 1980s NBC sitcom, Gimme a Break!, died of natural causes at only 54. This is her story.

A Closer Look

Nell Carter was born September 13, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama. After initially finding fame on and off-Broadway, and via a brief role in 1977 on the TV datime drama, Ryan's Hope, Carter took the lead in Ain't Misbehavin'!, a live stage revue of the works of composer Fats Waller.

Carter received an Obie Award for her performance, and later a Tony Award when Behavin' went to Broadway. Several years later, Carter won an Emmy for her performance in a TV adaptation of the musical.

Carter had been cast as the first Effie Melody White in the musical stage edition of Dreamgirls, but after the initial workshop relocated to Los Angeles to work in television. Stage producer Michael Bennett then cast Jennifer Holliday to replace Carter, who enjoyed singing opera.

Then Came TV

Nell Carter received her biggest mainstream break with TV's Gimme a Break!, which initially aired on NBC from 1981-1987.

The series role of housekeeper Nell Harper earned the multi-talented entertainer two Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations.

She later appeared as P.J. Moore on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and as a psychiatrist in The CW show Reba.

Beyond the Stage and Camera

In 1996, Nell Carter performed at an AIDS benefit, which doubled as a tribute to actress Angela Lansbury. A few years before, in 1989, Carter's brother Bernard died from the ravishes of the disease.

All along, Carter had struggled with her own health issues. She had diabetes, and in 1992, she underwent two brain surgeries fix aneurysms.

Carter also was challenged by addictions to alcohol and drugs, both of which she eventually overcame with a 12-step program.

Carter had two brief marriages. First, to George Krynicki (1982-1992), when she converted to Judaism, followed by her union with Roger Larocque (1992-1993).

In the End

On January 23, 2003, Nell Carter collapsed and died in her home where she was found by her 13-year-old son Joshua.

On the day before she passed away, Carter was rehearsing for a play, Raisin, in Long Beach, California. She was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times for an inspirationl story, in which she talked about her Alabama heritage.