Carol Channing, whose most famous role was as Dolly Levi in the Broadway musical "Hello Dolly!" charmed audiences for decades with her trademark raspy voice and huge smile. The actress, pictured here in 1979, has died at age 97, her publicist said Tuesday, January 15.
Carol Channing, whose most famous role was as Dolly Levi in the Broadway musical "Hello Dolly!" charmed audiences for decades with her trademark raspy voice and huge smile. The actress, pictured here in 1979, has died at age 97, her publicist said Tuesday, January 15.
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Channing, center, rehearses for a musical on CBS with choreographer Eugene Loring in 1957.
Channing, center, rehearses for a musical on CBS with choreographer Eugene Loring in 1957.
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In this undated photo, Channing celebrates her marriage to Charles Lowe, who became her manager and publicist. The star was married four times.
In this undated photo, Channing celebrates her marriage to Charles Lowe, who became her manager and publicist. The star was married four times.
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Channing won a Tony Award in 1964 for her most famous role as the meddling matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in "Hello Dolly!"
Channing won a Tony Award in 1964 for her most famous role as the meddling matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in "Hello Dolly!"
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Channing celebrates her Tony win alongside "Hello Dolly!" director Gower Champion, composer and lyricist Jerry Herman, producer David Merrick and costume designer Freddy Wittop in 1964. The original production won 10 Tony Awards.
Channing celebrates her Tony win alongside "Hello Dolly!" director Gower Champion, composer and lyricist Jerry Herman, producer David Merrick and costume designer Freddy Wittop in 1964. The original production won 10 Tony Awards.
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The performer appears during the 1965 shooting of her Emmy-winning TV special "An Evening With Carol Channing," which would air the following year.
The performer appears during the 1965 shooting of her Emmy-winning TV special "An Evening With Carol Channing," which would air the following year.
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The actress with her son, Channing Carson, in their New York apartment in 1965.
The actress with her son, Channing Carson, in their New York apartment in 1965.
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Channing's best-known film role was as Muzzy Van Hossmere in the 1967 musical "Throughly Modern Millie" with Julie Andrews, left, and Mary Tyler Moore. She won an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe for best supporting actress for the movie.
Channing's best-known film role was as Muzzy Van Hossmere in the 1967 musical "Throughly Modern Millie" with Julie Andrews, left, and Mary Tyler Moore. She won an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe for best supporting actress for the movie.
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Channing performs during halftime of the Super Bowl in 1972 in New Orleans.
Channing performs during halftime of the Super Bowl in 1972 in New Orleans.
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Channing, here in 1989, was a darling of small screen as well, appearing in TV shows such as "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in" and "The Love Boat."
Channing, here in 1989, was a darling of small screen as well, appearing in TV shows such as "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in" and "The Love Boat."
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Channing places her feet in wet cement in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel in New York in November 1990 as part of an unveiling ceremony at the hotel.
Channing places her feet in wet cement in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel in New York in November 1990 as part of an unveiling ceremony at the hotel.
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President Bill Clinton greets the Broadway star after her performance at a White House dinner in February 1993. The event was the first official dinner hosted by Clinton at the White House.
President Bill Clinton greets the Broadway star after her performance at a White House dinner in February 1993. The event was the first official dinner hosted by Clinton at the White House.
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Channing thanks the audience in a curtain call after a performance during a revival of "Hello, Dolly!" in New York in January 1996. She reprised the role in multiple productions over the decades. Here, she was celebrating her 4,500 performance of the legendary show.
Channing thanks the audience in a curtain call after a performance during a revival of "Hello, Dolly!" in New York in January 1996. She reprised the role in multiple productions over the decades. Here, she was celebrating her 4,500 performance of the legendary show.
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Channing performs at an event in Los Angeles in October 2003.
Channing performs at an event in Los Angeles in October 2003.
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Channing with her fourth husband, Harry Kullijian, at the Village Theater in New York in 2003. They had been childhood sweethearts and reunited 70 years after attending middle school together. Kullijian died in 2011.
Channing with her fourth husband, Harry Kullijian, at the Village Theater in New York in 2003. They had been childhood sweethearts and reunited 70 years after attending middle school together. Kullijian died in 2011.
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LL Cool J and Channing share a moment before presenting the Tony for best original score to "Avenue Q" in June 2004.
LL Cool J and Channing share a moment before presenting the Tony for best original score to "Avenue Q" in June 2004.
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Channing in her home in Modesto, California, in July 2009.
Channing in her home in Modesto, California, in July 2009.
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Channing dons a "Hello, Dolly!" costume during her 90th birthday celebration in Hollywood in February 2011.
Channing dons a "Hello, Dolly!" costume during her 90th birthday celebration in Hollywood in February 2011.
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Channing is joined by her husband, Harry Kullijian, left, and actor Davis Gaines as they attend a musical tribute for her 90th birthday in 2011.
Channing is joined by her husband, Harry Kullijian, left, and actor Davis Gaines as they attend a musical tribute for her 90th birthday in 2011.
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Channing arrives at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards gala in California in 2015.
Channing arrives at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards gala in California in 2015.
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