Carleton Carpenter, an actor whose lanky, aw-shucks cornpone good looks made him a familiar supporting presence opposite such leading ladies as Debbie Reynolds, Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor throughout the 1950s, died today in Warwick, New York, following years of declining health. He was 95.
His death was announced by spokesperson Kevin McAnarney.
Born Carleton Upham Carpenter in Bennington, Vermont, Carpenter served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy during World War II, helping to build the airstrip from which the Enola Gay would later take off for its flight to Hiroshima. By the time of the 1945 atomic bombing, Carpenter had started his Broadway career with a role in David Merrick’s 1944 production Bright Boy.
Other Broadway roles would arrive in quick succession: Carpenter appeared in Three to Make Ready with Ray Bolger (1944), The Magic Touch (1947), John Murray Anderson’s Almanac (1953) and Hotel Paradiso (1957).
Carpenter’s TV and film credits developed alongside his stage career.
His death was announced by spokesperson Kevin McAnarney.
Born Carleton Upham Carpenter in Bennington, Vermont, Carpenter served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy during World War II, helping to build the airstrip from which the Enola Gay would later take off for its flight to Hiroshima. By the time of the 1945 atomic bombing, Carpenter had started his Broadway career with a role in David Merrick’s 1944 production Bright Boy.
Other Broadway roles would arrive in quick succession: Carpenter appeared in Three to Make Ready with Ray Bolger (1944), The Magic Touch (1947), John Murray Anderson’s Almanac (1953) and Hotel Paradiso (1957).
Carpenter’s TV and film credits developed alongside his stage career.
- 1/31/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
2020 sucked, but at least we had the ’90s sitcom “Family Matters.”
The former T.G.I.F. sitcom, which aired on ABC from 1989-1998, saw a massive uptick in minutes watched last year, according to a Nielsen study. All told, “Family Matters,” was watched for nearly 11.4 billion minutes, up a whopping 392% from 2019’s tally of 2.3 billion minutes.
Yes, we did that. (Shoutout to you Urkel fans.)
That viewership, like all in this story, includes everyone age 2 or older — a giant demo generally referred to as “total viewers.”
“Family Matters,” which features an all-Black cast, follows the Winslow family as they deal with various misadventures, many of them caused by their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel (Jaleel White).
The show also starred Reginald VelJohnson, Kellie Shanygne Williams, Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton and Rosetta LeNoire. “Family Matters” ran for 215 episodes. More episodes means more opportunity for racking up big viewership minutes.
Nostalgic comedy...
The former T.G.I.F. sitcom, which aired on ABC from 1989-1998, saw a massive uptick in minutes watched last year, according to a Nielsen study. All told, “Family Matters,” was watched for nearly 11.4 billion minutes, up a whopping 392% from 2019’s tally of 2.3 billion minutes.
Yes, we did that. (Shoutout to you Urkel fans.)
That viewership, like all in this story, includes everyone age 2 or older — a giant demo generally referred to as “total viewers.”
“Family Matters,” which features an all-Black cast, follows the Winslow family as they deal with various misadventures, many of them caused by their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel (Jaleel White).
The show also starred Reginald VelJohnson, Kellie Shanygne Williams, Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton and Rosetta LeNoire. “Family Matters” ran for 215 episodes. More episodes means more opportunity for racking up big viewership minutes.
Nostalgic comedy...
- 3/19/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.
1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow.
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.
1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow.
- 3/18/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season...
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season...
- 3/18/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Is Family Matters making a comeback? Recently, the cast of the ABC TV show reunited for an interview with Entertainment Weekly.The '90s sitcom centered on the Chicago-based Winslow family. The cast included Reginald VelJohnson, Jo Marie Payton, Jaleel White, Rosetta LeNoire, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams, Telma Hopkins, and Jaimee Foxworth. The series ran for nine seasons before ending in 1998.Read More…...
- 10/7/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Nominations are being accepted through Friday, February 14, 2014 for Actors' Equity Association's annual Rosetta LeNoire Award. The award, established in 1988, recognizes an individual or institution that has made outstanding contributions to American theater while also holding an exemplary record in hiring or promoting ethnic minorities, female actors, senior actors and actors with disabilities. Nominees must have a working relationship and history with Equity.
- 1/24/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Fresh from her choreographing stint at the first London revival of Marvin Hamlisch's 'A Chorus Line,' Baayork Lee, 'A Chorus Line' veteran herself, and a co-founder of the National Asian Artists Project, a non-profit organization that promotes Asian performing artists, presents a fully-staged, fully-costumed adaptation of Jerry Herman's hit Broadway musical 'Hello, Dolly,' featuring an all-Asian cast led by Rosetta Lenoire Award-winning actress Christine Toy Johnson as Dolly Gallagher Levi, a widowed matchmaker a role originated by Carol Channing in the 1964 Broadway production.
- 5/6/2013
- by Oliver Oliveros
- BroadwayWorld.com
Last week, Actors’ Equity Equal Employment Opportunity Committee announced they are now accepting nominations for the 2013 Rosetta LeNoire Award. Theater professionals are asked to send in their picks for an individual or institution who has made outstanding contributions to American theater while also holding an exemplary record in hiring or promoting ethnic minorities, female actors, and actors with disabilities. LeNoire, an actor and producer, had a history of championing diversity in the theater world. As the first recipient of this award, she was recognized not only for the breadth of her stage work but also her participation with the then-titled Actors’ Equity Association’s Ethnic Minorities Committee. She also founded the Amas Repertory Theatre Company, an organization dedicated to maintaining an “interracial company” of actors. As an actor, LeNoire made her Broadway debut in Mike Todd’s 1939 production of “Hot Mikado” and also later started in “A Streetcar Named Desire...
- 12/10/2012
- backstage.com
The Actors’ Equity Association will present the 2012 Rosetta LeNoire Award to InterAct Theatre Company, a small professional theater in Philadelphia. The award will be presented to InterAct’s Founding/Producing Director Seth Rozin at Equity's eastern regional membership meeting on April 13 in New York City.InterAct was founded in 1988 with the mission to educate and entertain its audiences with thought-provoking productions, and uses theater as a tool to foster positive social change in schools, the workplace, and the community. The theater is known for producing plays that explore issues of social, cultural, and political relevance and dramatizing complex and often controversial issues. InterAct’s productions have provided work for over 500 local artists. The company's outreach program uses the interactive power of live performance and dramatic role-playing to cultivate tolerance and understanding, promote cultural diversity, and improve relations in its community.The Rosetta LeNoire Award recognizes "outstanding artistic contributions to the universality.
- 4/9/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Lehman)
- backstage.com
Actors' Equity Association announced today that it is accepting nominations for its 2012 Rosetta LeNoire Award. The honor is given annually to an individual or institution with a proven track record of hiring, promoting, or casting women, ethnic minorities, or the disabled. The award was created in 1989 and named for the first recipient, Rosetta LeNoire, founder of New York's Amas Repertory Theatre (now Amas Musical Theatre). Past honorees include Joseph Papp and the New York Shakespeare Festival, Ellen Stewart of La MaMa Etc in New York, Dennis Zacek and Marcelle McVay of Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater, and the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles. Applications and supporting material are due Feb. 10, 2012. For more information, contact Luther Goins, Equity's national equal employment opportunity coordinator, at (312) 641-0393, ext. 237, or lgoins@actorsequity.org.
- 12/8/2011
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Holloway)
- backstage.com
Family Matters follows straight-talking Harriette Winslow (JoMarie Payton), her police officer husband Carl (Reginald VelJohnson), and three children; Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Harriette's widowed sister, Rachel Crawford (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton James), and Carl's mother Estelle (Rosetta LeNoire) also live with them.
Midway through the first season, nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) was introduced. He quickly became a recurring character and then a series regular. It wasn't long before each episode featured an Urkel-focused storyline.
In part one of our interview, Payton set the record straight about why she left midway through the final season of Family Matters (it wasn't why many people think it was). In part two, Payton talks about the series finale and her rumored cameo, if she keeps in touch with her former castmates, and if she'd be open...
Midway through the first season, nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) was introduced. He quickly became a recurring character and then a series regular. It wasn't long before each episode featured an Urkel-focused storyline.
In part one of our interview, Payton set the record straight about why she left midway through the final season of Family Matters (it wasn't why many people think it was). In part two, Payton talks about the series finale and her rumored cameo, if she keeps in touch with her former castmates, and if she'd be open...
- 7/28/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Debuting on ABC, Family Matters began as a spin-off to the Perfect Strangers sitcom. JoMarie Payton, in the role of Hariette Winslow, proved to be so popular that William Bickley and Michael Warren created a show revolving around her character.
Family Matters followed the straight-talking and sassy Harriette in her Chicago home where viewers got to see she and her husband as parents and managing a household. Married to a police officer named Carl (Reginald VelJohnson), they raised three children; Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Harriette's widowed sister, Rachel Crawford (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton James), and Carl's mother Estelle (Rosetta LeNoire) live with them.
In the 12th episode, nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) was introduced and intended as a one-time only character. He proved so popular with the audience that he became a...
Family Matters followed the straight-talking and sassy Harriette in her Chicago home where viewers got to see she and her husband as parents and managing a household. Married to a police officer named Carl (Reginald VelJohnson), they raised three children; Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Harriette's widowed sister, Rachel Crawford (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton James), and Carl's mother Estelle (Rosetta LeNoire) live with them.
In the 12th episode, nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) was introduced and intended as a one-time only character. He proved so popular with the audience that he became a...
- 7/28/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Though its first season started in September of 1989, Family Matters is the quintessential 90s sitcom. It was a fierce decade of competition for sitcoms, and if that wasn’t enough, the genre has a built in duality that most never overcome. On one hand, the sitcom needs to be broad enough that it can cover relatable topics, keeping the characters fun while doing so, but never actually going anywhere. The test of a true sitcom is how well and how long it can run in place while moving as little as possible. On the other hand, some motion definitely needs to occur; a sitcom just can’t stand still otherwise it’s boring and too predictable and it never picks up the audience. Family Matters didn’t just run in place, it ran a virtual go-nowhere marathon and kept its audience intact, with the only real motion being the unstoppable aging of its characters.
- 6/16/2010
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Would you like geeky and goofy Steve Urkel to come to your house?
A '90s sitcom, Family Matters began as a spin-off of ABC's popular Perfect Strangers. The adventures of the Winslow family and one very nerdy neighbor lasted for eight seasons.
Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) is a Chicago policeman and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton, later Judyann Elder), is the chief of security for the Chicago Chronicle. Their children are Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and little Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Also living with them are Harriet's widowed sister (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton McClure), and Carl's feisty mother, Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire).
In the beginning, stories were slated to center around the Winslow parents and kids. But, when Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) showed up, that all changed. The character became an overnight sensation...
A '90s sitcom, Family Matters began as a spin-off of ABC's popular Perfect Strangers. The adventures of the Winslow family and one very nerdy neighbor lasted for eight seasons.
Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) is a Chicago policeman and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton, later Judyann Elder), is the chief of security for the Chicago Chronicle. Their children are Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and little Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Also living with them are Harriet's widowed sister (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton McClure), and Carl's feisty mother, Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire).
In the beginning, stories were slated to center around the Winslow parents and kids. But, when Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) showed up, that all changed. The character became an overnight sensation...
- 6/14/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Beginning as a spin-off of ABC's Perfect Strangers, Family Matters revolves around the Winslow family and one very nerdy neighbor.
Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) is a Chicago policeman and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton, later Judyann Elder), is the chief of security for the Chicago Chronicle. Their children are Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and little Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Also living with them are Harriet's widowed sister (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton McClure), and Carl's feisty mother, Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire).
The sitcom initially focused on the parents and kids but the success of nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) caused the series to shift focus pretty quickly. Other recurring characters were played by Orlando Brown, Michelle Thomas, Cherie Johnson, and Shawn Harrison.
After eight seasons on ABC, Family Matters was cancelled. CBS picked the...
Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) is a Chicago policeman and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton, later Judyann Elder), is the chief of security for the Chicago Chronicle. Their children are Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and little Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Also living with them are Harriet's widowed sister (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton McClure), and Carl's feisty mother, Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire).
The sitcom initially focused on the parents and kids but the success of nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) caused the series to shift focus pretty quickly. Other recurring characters were played by Orlando Brown, Michelle Thomas, Cherie Johnson, and Shawn Harrison.
After eight seasons on ABC, Family Matters was cancelled. CBS picked the...
- 5/27/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Jackie Taylor, playwright, actor, and founder of Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater, has been named the recipient of Actors' Equity Association's 2010 Rosetta LeNoire Award. Taylor is being honored for her cultural contributions to Chicago, particularly her history of casting ethnic minorities, women, and actors with disabilities in her plays.Taylor has produced and directed more than 55 plays and has appeared on both stage and screen. She is active in Chicago's art and theater community and taught in public schools for more than 30 years. She is also president of the African Arts Alliance and former vice president of the League of Chicago Theaters.The award will be presented on May 3 in Chicago.
- 4/13/2010
- backstage.com
ubbling Brown Sugar is a musical revue written by Loften Mitchell based on a concept by Rosetta LeNoire and featuring the music of numerous African-American artists who were popular during this period, including Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller. It was nominated for the Tony Award as, "Best Musical." The revue is scheduled through Nov. 22 at Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs.
- 11/22/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
ubbling Brown Sugar is a musical revue written by Loften Mitchell based on a concept by Rosetta LeNoire and featuring the music of numerous African-American artists who were popular during this period, including Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller. It was nominated for the Tony Award as, "Best Musical." The revue is scheduled through Nov. 22 at Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs.
- 10/30/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Amas Musical Theatre is a 41-year-old multicultural, non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to the creation, development and production of new musicals and to the training of young performing artists. The Academy, named for our founder Rosetta LeNoire ("Mother Winslow" on Family Matters) is designed for teenagers of all backgrounds between the ages of 14-20. Students are accepted into the program by auditions held in October 2009.
- 9/9/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
New York: Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director; Rosetta LeNoire, Founder), will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a Benefit Gala on Monday, March 30th, 2009. The evening will feature a special "Blast from the Past" concert of songs and numbers from four decades of Amas Musicals, including Bubbling Brown Sugar, Zanna Don't!, Barrio Babies, Bobos, Shout! The Mod Musical, Four Guys Named Jose, Latin Heat, Starmites, Langston Hughes's Little Ham, From My Hometown, Lone Star Love, and Wanda's World. The director and choreographer for the evening is Amas Artist-in-Residence Maria Torres, with musical direction by Doug Oberhamer. The event will take place at the Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, at 7pm.
- 3/10/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director; Rosetta LeNoire, Founder), will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a Gala evening on Monday, March 30th featuring a special "Blast from the Past" concert of songs and numbers from four decades of Amas Musicals, including Bubbling Brown Sugar, It's So Nice to Be Civilized, Zanna Don't!, Shout! The Mod Musical, Four Guys Named Jose, Stormy Weather, Langston Hughes's Little Ham, From My Hometown, Lone Star Love, and Wanda's World, among others. The event will take place at the Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, at 7pm.
- 2/12/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
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