Carol Channing warmly remembered by Barbra Streisand, Lin-Manuel Miranda and others: ‘Goodbye, Dolly’
Barbra Streisand, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony Awards, Viola Davis, and many other stars of stage and screen mourned the death of actress Carol Channing on Tuesday with commemorations honoring the beloved Broadway legend.
Channing died Tuesday at age 97, and tributes bidding her farewell came swiftly as news spread.
Most of the farewells were colored by Channing’s enduring role as meddlesome matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in the original production of the 1964 musical “Hello, Dolly!”
Other missives played up her affinity for extravagance, as in the 1949 production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” She sang “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in that show long before Marilyn Monroe did so in the 1953 film adaptation.
On Twitter, Streisand, who played Dolly in the Oscar-winning 1969 film adaptation, described Channing as “a true life-force.”
Additionally, Broadway producers, veterans and newcomers alike said they were inspired by Channing’s buoyant stage presence and that she embodied show business during her long and illustrious career.
Here’s how a few of them put it:
Carol was a true life-force…a kind and effervescent woman who never allowed the parade to pass her by! xo B pic.twitter.com/C2WSCsYZbl
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) January 15, 2019
She was show business and love personified ❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/isNzReB733
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) January 15, 2019
RIP Carol Channing. The original Dolly and a "helluva" performer! You had a great run! Rest well. https://t.co/6kMpQgonHt
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) January 15, 2019
I am so sad just lost my incredible original inspiration #carolchanning I saw her in Hello Dolly when I was 8 and she changed my DNA love you lady forever one of the greatest entertainers of all times
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) January 15, 2019
Goodbye Dolly. 😢 https://t.co/00Wz6nMsTp
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing had an illustrious career making people laugh. She’ll be missed. pic.twitter.com/zvAbAUk8GH
— Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) January 15, 2019
“When the whistles blow
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 15, 2019
And the cymbals crash
And the sparklers light the sky
I'm gonna raise the roof
I'm gonna carry on
Give me an old trombone
Give me an old baton
Before the parade passes by!”
Goodbye, Carol.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/Z6KFQzrcWV
One of Broadway's greatest lights, Carol Channing, has passed on. She rejoins the heavens as a new diamond in the night sky, and as she famously sang, they are a girl's best friend. Goodbye and farewell, forever our Dolly. https://t.co/0u2zLcAnff
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 15, 2019
“The gay community is responsible for so much of my success, and I love them. It's a mutual love affair, really. They make the better audiences too, because they laugh often and loudly." Thank you Carol Channing for a brilliant career and for being a friend. ❤️ https://t.co/XU9tKU92y0
— GLAAD (@glaad) January 15, 2019
We got 97 Years of her #MAGIC #RIP #CarolChanning pic.twitter.com/7fAgzn6WXt
— Neil Meron (@neilmeron) January 15, 2019
“We feel the room swayin’
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi) January 15, 2019
While the band’s playin’
One of you old favorite songs from way back when...”
You defined Broadway.
Rest In Peace, Carol Channing.
We’ll only ever say HELLO, not Goodbye. The legendary #CarolChanning, January 31, 1921 - January 15, 2019. Tomorrow is the 55th anniversary of the original HELLO, DOLLY opening night at the St. James. She will always be Wow Wow Wow, fellas. Forever. pic.twitter.com/OAaskBnkjV
— Jordan Roth (@Jordan_Roth) January 15, 2019
#rip to a Broadway legend #CarolChanning pic.twitter.com/pkvLikBoRt
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) January 15, 2019
Dazzling. Priceless. Durable. Flawless. A diamond.
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing, 1921-2019.
Rest in peace.
Pic with LL Cool J on stage at the 2004 Tony Awards.#CarolChanning #CarolChanningRIP pic.twitter.com/XMQwkR2fwj
Carol Channing convinced you she was invincible on the stage. Here she is a month shy of 90, beaming as if performing were giving her life. https://t.co/ANiK7cfsTp pic.twitter.com/T3emRH4P7u
— Ryan McPhee (@rdmcphee) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing may no longer inhabit the physical plane, but know this: she is infinitely more powerful wherever she is now.
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) January 15, 2019
RIP Carol Channing. pic.twitter.com/WJNJIdp5il
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) January 15, 2019
So sad! She came from an era when individuality was prized and celebrated. Could she really sing? Who cares? She had star power to spare and gave joy and laughter for close to 8 decades. Truly one of a kind ❤️ #CarolChanning https://t.co/cGN1gDcOY0
— Matthew Bourne (@SirMattBourne) January 15, 2019
Goodbye Dolly .. Rest In Peace carol Channing 🙏🏿😇
— Rosanna Arquette (@RoArquette) January 15, 2019
So long, Dolly. Thank you for inspiring SEVERAL generations with your talent, your perseverance and your unadulterated joy. Boy are they in for a show in heaven tonight. #carolchanning #rip https://t.co/g4oeQGOXiW
— Ken Davenport (@kendavenport) January 15, 2019
Goodbye, Dolly.
— Alex Brightman (@ABrightMonster) January 15, 2019
And thanks for it all.
I’ve worshipped this woman for as long as I can remember. One of the greatest experiences of my life was working with her, learning from her, and laughing with her. I’m so grateful for her… https://t.co/Gc3q6klxgR
— Mx Justin Vivian Bond (@mxjustinVbond) January 15, 2019
#RESTINPARADISE QUEEN! Gone but never 4gotten! #CarolChanning #Respect 🤩🙆🏾♀️💖 https://t.co/1UAyS2IkTp
— Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) January 15, 2019
Legend. Inspiration. Rest In Peace, Dolly, #carolchanning pic.twitter.com/0G0cdQuLeB
— Beth Behrs (@BethBehrs) January 15, 2019
We are deeply saddened by the passing of the one and only Carol Channing. She was a ‘Dolly’ for the ages, and a true icon of the American Theater. Betty Buckley and the cast will dedicate tonight’s performance in San Diego to her memory. #HelloDolly pic.twitter.com/gKh0BNV6px
— Hello, Dolly! on Tour (@HelloDollyBway) January 15, 2019
A star...a legend...an inspiration. You will forever be missed. R.I.P Carol.
— Margaret Cho @ Patchogue on July 19! (@margaretcho) January 15, 2019
"Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward." - Carol Channing pic.twitter.com/GdSmomRSiJ
Dear Carol, I knew of you as the iconic #DollyLevi. I want to thank you for inspiring me to sink my teeth into the role of the legendary Dolly in high school and celebrate the strong funny vulnerable young woman in me. May you Rest In Peace and Power. #CarolChanning pic.twitter.com/KrhXd9171j
— Sara Ramirez (@SaraRamirez) January 15, 2019
Goodbye, Dolly. Mourning the loss of Carol Channing today at the age of 97. Here she is onstage with Louis Armstrong when he attended a performance of "Hello, Dolly!" at the St. James Theatre in 1965. pic.twitter.com/msojsru2E0
— Louis Armstrong (@ArmstrongHouse) January 15, 2019
RIP Carol Channing. Bigger than life! The one and only! A true Broadway legend! —MK
— Michael Kors (@MichaelKors) January 15, 2019
Pictured here with Tovah Feldshuh in 2006. pic.twitter.com/FSw9cYyL1K
Dear Sweet Carol Channing. Thank you for all the joy you've brought us. Rest now in Peace ❤️ #RIPCarolChanning https://t.co/cuQ5WuYFjV pic.twitter.com/LbPgtsElyp
— Norm Lewis (@normlewis777) January 15, 2019
Loved this post by @Euphorian54 in honor of the legendary and #EternallyElectric Carol Channing ... ❤️⭐️🎭 pic.twitter.com/KYy20VfMc7
— Debbie Gibson (@DebbieGibson) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing is forever ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7IENVOJ6S2
— Greg Proops (@GregProops) January 15, 2019
Her enormous personality fit the stage perfectly. Sing on, Carol! https://t.co/jYe8KYYdj7
— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) January 15, 2019
— Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) January 15, 2019
REST IN PEACE: Legendary actress Carol Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television, passed away this morning at age 97. We were honored to have her with us on @TheView many times over the years. https://t.co/fc2Zz43pwS pic.twitter.com/ZmRl1416QJ
— The View (@TheView) January 15, 2019
The first B’way show I attended was, “Hello Dolly”. I’d swear Carol Channing was looking right at me from the stage. Everyone in the cheap seats probably thought the same. RIP.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) January 15, 2019
Carol got a standing O’ every night on the ‘95 tour...usually started by her husband (who watched every show). One night he was sick. I filled in. I stood. The rest followed. She told me I’d be a star after that. RIP Carol. ❤️😢 https://t.co/ZQkJjxml7x
— patrick wilson (@patrickwilson73) January 15, 2019
Farewell, Dolly. Taking your final bow but revered and loved forever. RIP Carol Channing. pic.twitter.com/9uj8OCPvyM
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing performed a piece on my Free To Be album and was adorable. Here she is whispering to me. Hope it’s comedic advice. There was no one better! pic.twitter.com/uxQQxi6N9g
— Marlo Thomas (@MarloThomas) January 15, 2019
It was an honor Ms. Channing. Thank you for decades of entertainment, laughter, and love. Thank you for putting a smile on my mom's face...I'll never forget it. Rest in peace...you deserve it!!! #CarolChanning pic.twitter.com/FUbLmyJZQA
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 15, 2019
RIP Carol Channing. “corn”????
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing was one of the few who paved the path for so many women in theater and beyond... I will forever admire and look up to you, Carol. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/RTUeyqxAtW
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) January 15, 2019
Some say “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but those folks clearly never met Carol Channing! Legend, star, friend, and one-of-a-kind inspiration to us all. Kissy, kissy dear Carol!
— Miss Piggy (@MissPiggy) January 15, 2019
“Jam tomorrow, jam yesterday. But never ever jam today!” R.I.P. to an icon. ❤️ Carol Channing pic.twitter.com/Z4G6OcCP91
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) January 15, 2019
Carol Channing brought more magic into this world than just about anyone. She’s completely irreplaceable. How fortunate are we that her artistry will continue to entertain us for generations to come. Carol, thank you for being so uniquely & gorgeously, You. #CarolChanning pic.twitter.com/Ew1L6HJNBZ
— Mitzi Gaynor (@TheMitziGaynor) January 15, 2019
Rest in Peace to the iconic Broadway actress who inspired multiple performances and delivered countless laughs: Carol Channing 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BrkDTSG6qN
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) January 15, 2019
RIP. Carol Channing. You will always be my Dolly. pic.twitter.com/VMZx1rtOhL
— Lea DeLaria (@realleadelaria) January 15, 2019
Goodbye, Dolly. Forever an icon to so many of us. #CarolChanning pic.twitter.com/SSGw8sWb48
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) January 15, 2019
Twitter: @NardineSaad
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Nardine Saad covers breaking entertainment news, trending culture topics, celebrities and their kin for the Fast Break Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She joined The Times in 2010 as a MetPro trainee and has reported from homicide scenes, flooded canyons, red carpet premieres and award shows.