Myra Carter, Who Starred in Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN, Dies at 86

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Myra Carter, winner of the 1994 Drama Desk, Obie, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel Awards for her acclaimed performance in Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN, passed away on Saturday, January 9th, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Myra was a long time resident of New York City's West Village. She was 86 years old.

Born in Chicago in 1929, Carter was raised in Greenock, Scotland, was a member of the Royal Air Force, and made her professional stage debut in Glasgow at the age of 18. After a number of years performing rep theater in England, Carter moved to the United States in the mid-'50s with her first Broadway experience being the understudy for Marian Seldes in 1955's THE CHALK GARDEN. She made her Broadway debut with 1956's MAJOR BARBARA.

Throughout a robust career spanning film, television and the theater, Carter was best known for her stage work, especially with Edward Albee. She originated the lead role in Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN, an award-winning performance described by The New York Times as "dazzling".

She appeared in a number of other Albee productions, including the premiere of ALL OVER and revivals of A DELICATE BALANCE and THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE.

Additional Broadway credits include MAYBE TUESDAY, GEORGY, and GARDEN DISTRICT (which includes the plays SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER and SOMETHING UNSPOKEN. Her Off-Broadway credits include KING JOHN (Joe A. Callaway Award), ABINGDON SQUARE, HELEN, and THE SECRET CONCUBINE. Her additional Off-Broadway and regional stage credits were wide-ranging, including critically acclaimed appearances at McCarter Theatre Center, Vineyard Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, Seattle Repertory, and many more. Her television and film credits include Boris Karloff's THRILLER, LOVE LETTER, 8MM, FRASIER, and THE NANNY.

She described herself in a 1994 New York Times interview as "a good old-fashioned bohemian who has always wanted to be free."

Carter is survived by her nieces Jan Brothers and Tracy Schneider; her great-nieces Aeriel Wilner, Amy Schneider, Abby Schneider, and Alex Schneider; and her great-nephew Andre Brothers, all of Missouri. She will be missed dearly by her friends and family.