- She performed at an AIDS benefit in 1996, a tribute to actress Angela Lansbury. Her brother, Bernard, died of AIDS in 1989.
- Struggled with alcohol and drugs, eventually shaking her addictions through a 12-step program.
- Converted to Judaism prior to her marriage to George Krynicki.
- Was actually the first Effie Melody White in the musical stage version of "Dreamgirls". Nell left the musical after the initial workshop to move to Los Angeles and work on TV. Michael Bennett then chose Jennifer Holliday for the role.
- Collapsed in her home where she was found dead by 13-year-old son Joshua. Had undergone two brain operations in 1992 to fix aneurysms.
- On the day before she died, Nell was rehearsing for a play, "Raisin", in Long Beach, California. There, she gave an impromptu interview with a Los Angeles Times staff reporter which reflected emotionally about her beginnings in Alabama. The Times also took the last photograph of Nell Carter - which was a beautiful candid shot.
- She adopted 2 sons just before her divorce from Krynicki was finalised.
- Was originally inspired to be an opera singer, but cited such popular singers as Doris Day, The Andrews Sisters, Johnny Mathis, Cleo Laine and Barbra Streisand as her profound influences to switch vocal gears.
- Was married and divorced twice. She was survived by her partner, Ann Kaser, an adult daughter, Tracy, and two (adopted) 13-year-old sons, Joshua and Daniel (as of 2003).
- Passed away 24 days before her Gimme a Break! (1981) co-star, Pete Schrum.
- Won Broadway's 1978 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical" for "Ain't Misbehavin'," a part she recreated in an Emmy-winning performance in the television version with the same title, Ain't Misbehavin' (1982).
- Her last work was on the feature Swing (2003), directed by Martin Guigui, in which she plays nurse Grace in a lovely scene with Jonathan Winters.
- Filed for bankruptcy a few months before her death.
- Won an Obie award for "Ain't Misbehavin'."
- She played Miss Hannigan in the 20th Anniversary revival of "Annie" from January of 1997 to January of 1998.
- In addition to winning Broadway's Tony award for her role in "Ain't Misbehavin'," she also won an Emmy in 1982 for Ain't Misbehavin' (1982) (the TV broadcast of the show), and received two Emmy nominations in 1982 and 1983 for her role on the TV sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981).
- After Carter's death, she barely had $200 in her bank account.
- Appeared in support of Bette Davis in the 1974 musical production of "Miss Moffat", which was based on the Davis movie The Corn Is Green (1945). The show closed before it made it to Broadway.
- At first, Tribune Entertainment was supposed to hire her as a talk show hostess for her own show, when it didn't work, consequently, the job was given to Joan Rivers, whose show (The Joan Rivers Show (1989)) has had a successful run.
- Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 70-72. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
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