Carol Lawrence(I)
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Singer-actress Carol Lawrence earned widespread stardom quite early in
her singing career with the immortal role of Maria in the Broadway
musical "West Side Story." However, that success would not parlay into
film stardom for Carol as established star Natalie Wood, in spite of
the fact that she would need to be vocally dubbed by Marni Nixon, had
the requisite clout to play Maria in the classic 1961 film version.
Carol, however, endured as a celebrity and marched on from Broadway
stage to Broadway stage to the tune of "Subways Are for Sleeping,"
"Saratoga," "I Do! I Do!" and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman." The dark,
vivid beauty also stayed alive in clubs, cabarets, concerts and summer
stock stages opposite then-husband, singer Robert Goulet, as a highly
popular couple in the 60s. Born Carolina Maria Laraia in 1932, the
Chicago-born hopeful started out as a singer/dancer in the chorus lines
and made her Broadway debut with the "New Faces of 1952." Though Carol
never matched the success brought on by her "West Side Story" role, she
managed quite well with numerous TV guest spots and commercials that
has welcomed her warm, inviting presence and graceful style. At age
70+, she continues to freshen up her durable talents, most recently on
stage in "Amy's View" and the title role of "Mame." Carol has kept busy
over the years as a talk show host and author, publishing her autobiography
in 1990 and recently putting out a cook book.
