Carol Bruce: The Velvet-Voiced Siren of Stage and Screen

A Career Spanning Decades and Genres

Carol Bruce, the American band singer, Broadway star, and film and television actress, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. With her rich, velvety voice and captivating stage presence, she won the hearts of audiences across the United States, earning the recurring role of Mama Lillian Carlson on the hit TV show WKRP in Cincinnati.

Early Years and Roots

Born Shirley Levy on November 15, 1919, in Manhattan, Carol grew up in a Jewish family with her parents, Beatrice and Harry Levy, and sister, Marilyn. Her family's frequent relocations led her to attend three different high schools: Jamaica High School, Girls High School, and New Utrecht High School, before finally graduating from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. Despite studying violin for eight years, she never received formal singing lessons, relying on her natural talent to propel her career.

A Star is Born on Broadway

Carol's trajectory to stardom began in the late 1930s as a singer with Larry Clinton's band. She soon found herself performing with Ben Bernie's orchestra in 1940-1941. Her Broadway debut came in 1941 with Louisiana Purchase, featuring songs by Irving Berlin, who discovered her at a Newark, New Jersey nightclub. This marked the beginning of a long and storied career on the Great White Way, with notable roles in productions like New Priorities of 1943, Along Fifth Avenue in 1949, Do I Hear a Waltz, Henry, Sweet Henry, and A Family Affair.

A Versatile Artist

Carol's diverse talent spanned radio, television, and film. She made her radio debut on The Horn and Hardart Children's Hour and later appeared on Carton of Pleasure and The Henny Youngman Show. Her film credits include roles in movies such as Keeping Company (1940) and Lady for a Night (1942). Her versatility and range earned her a spot as the first actress to play Julie in a Broadway production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Show Boat since the 1932 Broadway revival.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Carol's personal life was marked by her marriage to Milton Nathanson, with whom she had a daughter, Julie, an actress, singer, and playwright. Her grandchildren, Murali and Julian Coryell, are both musicians. A Democrat, Carol supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign in the 1952 presidential election. She was also committed to charitable causes, often using her platform to raise awareness and funds for various organizations.

Legacy and Impact

Carol Bruce's remarkable career, spanning over five decades, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Her smooth, sultry voice and captivating stage presence continue to inspire new generations of performers. As a pioneering woman in the arts, she paved the way for future female entertainers, demonstrating that talent, hard work, and dedication can lead to a lifelong career in the spotlight.

Carol Bruce passed away on October 9, 2007, but her legacy lives on, a testament to her unwavering passion for the performing arts.

Fun Facts and Trivia

• Carol Bruce was discovered by Irving Berlin at a nightclub in Newark, New Jersey.
• She was the first actress to play Julie in a Broadway production of Show Boat since the 1932 Broadway revival.
• Her grandchildren, Murali and Julian Coryell, are both musicians.
• Carol Bruce supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign in the 1952 presidential election.