Candice Jean Earley[citation needed] (August 18, 1950 – January 31, 2019) was an American actress and singer born in Oklahoma.
Candice Earley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Candice Jean Earley August 18, 1950 Lawton, Oklahoma, US |
| Died | January 31, 2019 (aged 68) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Spouse | Robert Nolan (m. 1992) |
Early years
editEarley was born in Lawton, Oklahoma,[1] to Harold and Jean (née Daily) Earley. She won the Miss Lawton title.[2] She had 14 years of training as a classical singer and attended Trinity University, where she studied drama.[1]
Career
editEarley had Broadway roles in Hair, Grease,[3] and Jesus Christ Superstar.[citation needed] She also portrayed Sheila with a touring company of Hair and sang in the chorus of a touring company of Jesus Christ, Superstar.[2] A lyric soprano, Earley also performed in cabarets.[4]
Earley is most famous for her role as Donna Beck Tyler Cortlandt Sago Tyler on the soap opera All My Children, a role she played from February 19th 1976 to 1992.[5] Donna was originally a troubled youth from an abusive home, who was a runaway and a prostitute. In her first appearance on All My Children, Donna is found in a hospital bed and in a coma after being kidnapped, beaten and raped by her pimp, Tyrone. However, the actress playing the part of Donna was not Candice Earley, but a different actress originally hired to play the part. The producers were unsatisfied with the acting ability of this actress, and Earley was hired to play the part, which was slated to be a short-term role.
Earley's portrayal proved popular with viewers, and won an award for Most Exciting New Actress in the first annual Soapies held in 1977 (these awards are now known as the Soap Opera Digest Awards). Over time, the character of Donna grew into a mature woman with a gift for singing who opened and ran a successful hair salon. Earley was written out of the show in 1992 after she got married.
Death
editEarley died on January 31, 2019, after an eight-year battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA).[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Novakovich, Lilana (April 19, 1991). "Farewell to supporting roles". The Province. Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver. p. 166. Retrieved November 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Candice Early Quits 'Hair' For New Role in 'Grease'". The Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma, Oklahoma City. May 27, 1973. p. 147. Retrieved November 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Candice Earley". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "Pop: Candice Earley, Star Of TV Serial". The New York Times. July 30, 1986. p. C 14. ProQuest 111055200. Retrieved November 27, 2020 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Rogers, Rick (8 June 1997). "Oklahoma Actress Reminisces About Experiences in "Grease"". NewsOK.com. The Oklahoman. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ "Candice Earley Nolan". The Lawton Constitution. 3 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
External links
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