
Nell Carter (born Nell Ruth Hardy; September 13, 1948 – January 23, 2003) was an American singer and actress. Carter began her career in 1970, singing in the theater, and later crossed over to television. She was best known for her role as Nell Harper on the sitcom Gimme a Break! which originally aired from 1981 to 1987. Carter received two Emmy and two Golden Globe award nominations for her work on the series. Prior to Gimme a Break!, Carter won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical in 1978 for her performance in the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin' as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for her reprisal of the role on television in 1982

The Warden
The Crazysitter

Performer (segment "Ain't Misbehavin'")
Broadway's Lost Treasures II

Mrs. Gordy
Perfect Fit

Mrs. Claus (voice)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Self - Choir Member
Voices That Care

Dorita
Modern Problems

Catherine Creek
The Grass Harp

Claire
Fakin' Da Funk

Grace
Swing

Mrs. Wheatley
Sealed with a Kiss

Millie Jackson
The Proprietor

Ain't Got No' / 'White Boys
Hair

Mary (voice)
Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special

Self
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration

Nell Carter
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz

Waitress
Back Roads

Lucille Gathers
Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story

Christmas in Washington

Self
Night of 100 Stars II

Courtroom Singer
The Misery Brothers

Performer
Ain't Misbehavin'

Olive
Cindy

Jasmine Jones
Maid for Each Other

Self
Baryshnikov on Broadway

Self
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury

Self - Performer
My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies

Herself
The Best of Broadway

The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story

Waitress
Back By Midnight

Vivian (voice)
Bebe's Kids

Self
Night of 100 Stars

The Jaleel White Special

Self (archive footage)
The Little Pageant That Could

The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
34
Gender
Female
Birthday
1948-09-13
Place of Birth
Also Known As
Nell Ruth Carter