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Walter Charles

Birth Place: East Strousberg, PA, USA

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BIO

Walter Charles was an American actor and singer.



Charles made his Broadway debut in Grease in 1972. Additional Broadway credits include 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Cats (1982), La Cage aux Folles (1983), Me and My Girl, Aspects of Love (1990), Kiss Me, Kate, The Boys from Syracuse (2002), Big River (2003), The Woman in White (2005), The Apple Tree (2006) and Anything Goes (2011). He also originated the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 1994.

Charles' screen credits include A Fine Mess, Fletch Lives, Weeds, and Prancer. On television he appeared in Cagney and Lacey, Kate and Allie, Law & Order, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Walter Charles died of complications from frontotemporal dementia on August 3, 2023, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Thompson.

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STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2011
Captain

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2006
Mr. Fallible

King Arik

Producer

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2006
Horace Vandergelder

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 2005
Mr. Fairlie

[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Milton

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2004
Milton Perry

[Off-Broadway]
New York City Opera Production, 2004
Judge Turpin

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Voice of Judge

Preacher

Voice of Duke

Voice of First Man

Ensemble

Doctor

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2002
Aegon

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Sondheim Festival Production, 2002
Larry

[Regional (US)]
Sondheim Festival Production, 2002
Judge Turpin

[New York]
Reading, 1999
Other Roles

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1999
Harrison Howell [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Harvey Kelekian/Mr. Bearing

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Harvey Kelekian

[Canada]
Toronto Production, 1995
Max von Mayerling

[Regional (US)]
Regional Revival, 1995
Benjamin Stone

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1995
Cosmo Constantine

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1994
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1990
George Dillingham [Replacement]

Other Roles

Marcel Richard

George Dillingham (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1986
Herbert Parchester [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Albin [Replacement]

Albin [Replacement]

M. Renaud

Albin [Replacement]

Albin (Understudy)

Edouard Dindon (Understudy)

Georges (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Cats Chorus

Old Deuteronomy (Understudy)

[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1980
The Passerby

Member of the Company

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Member of The Company

Sweeney Todd (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1978
Performer

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 1977
Caiaphas

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1976
Singing Ensemble

Ordway (The British)

New Jersey (The Thirteen Delegates)

Ordway

New Jersey

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Vince Fontaine [Replacement]

Vince Fontaine [Replacement]

Vince Fontaine [Replacement]

[New York]
Reading, 2005
Performer


Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical

Walter CharlesCabaret

Videos

News


Broadway Alum Walter Charles Dies at 78

BroadwayWorld is saddened to learn of the passing in Walter Charles, Broadway alum, and staeg and screen actor. He was 78 years old.
Wreaths Across America Remembers The 78th Anniversary Of The Sinking Of The U.S.A.T. Dorchester

On Wednesday, Feb. 3rd, 2021, Wreaths Across America will honor the American heroes known as “The Four Chaplains” with a special Facebook live event at 12pm EST, from the Balsam Valley Chapel and tip lands located in Downeast Maine.
VIDEO: EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! A Look Back at 'Anything Goes' From ANYTHING GOES

In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can!
BWW CLOSE UP: LA JAULA DE LAS LOCAS

El proximo 14 septiembre llega al Teatre Tivoli de Barcelona la nueva produccion de LA JAULA DE LAS LOCAS, dirigida y protagonizada por Àngel Llacer, que comparte cartel con Ivan Labanda, y que mejor motivo para hacer un repaso por la historia de este clasico de Broadway que tantas barreras ha roto.
Workshop Reading of New Musical GO GENTLY FORWARD by Rob Cardazone

Playwright, Rob Cardazone Presents Go Gently Forward, a developmental reading for the book of a new musical, written by Rob Cardazone; directed by Guy Stroman. With George Abud, Jennifer Blood, Kendall Lloyd, John Pasha, Brittany N. Williams, Patrick McCarthy, Chuck Bradley, Katherine Wessling and Sam Kahler. The reading will take place on February 6th @ 8:00 pm. RSVP for location at http://bit.ly/2jHIKks
Photo Flash: Remembering John McMartin

As BroadwayWorld sadly reported yesterday, award-winning Broadway actor John McMartin has passed away at the age of 86. McMartin most recently appeared on Broadway in 2014's ALL THE WAY and the 2011 revival of ANYTHING GOES. 
BWW Feature: A Brief History of Musicals Performing at the Grammy Awards

On February 15, 2016 HAMILTON will perform its opening number live at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Only eight musicals (nine, if you count RIVERDANCE) have had this honor since the first Grammy Award ceremony in 1959. HAMILTON will make history, yet again, as the first show to perform via satellite during the ceremony; while the ceremony is at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, the cast will be performing on their set at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.
Tony Bennett, Savion Glover & More Celebrate Frank Sinatra's ON THE TOWN, Screening Tonight at Tribeca Film Fest

The 2015 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by AT&T, recently announced 'Sinatra at 100: Film & Music in collaboration with The Lincoln Motor Company,' a centennial celebration to honor Frank Sinatra's legendary film career at the Festival's 14th edition.
Tony Bennett, Savion Glover & More to Celebrate Frank Sinatra's ON THE TOWN at Tribeca Film Fest

The 2015 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by AT&T, today announced "Sinatra at 100: Film & Music in collaboration with The Lincoln Motor Company," a centennial celebration to honor Frank Sinatra's legendary film career at the Festival's 14th edition.
BWW Special: The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum Shines with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES & More

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is the ninth show to be presented by Florida's newest venue, The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. The production, featuring live musicians, has opened to rave reviews and stars Lee Roy Reams (who stops the show cold), Walter Charles and an equally skillful cast.
Tony Winner Richard Maltby, Jr. Joins Cast of York Theatre Company's BIG

The York Theatre Company has announced that Tony Award winning director and lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. has joined the cast and has assumed the role of MacMillan in the season opener of the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series: Big, with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Mr. Maltby. and music by David Shire. This presentation of Big marks the New York premiere of the script and score created by the authors for the show's national tour-a significantly revised version of the show with eight new Maltby and Shire songs, yet to be recorded. Mr. Maltby replaces Walter Charles who left the production due to an unexpected conflict.
Photo Coverage: York Theatre Company's BIG Opens as Part of Musicals in Mufti

The production just opened, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big night below!
Photo Coverage: BIG Cast Takes Opening Night Bows at York Theatre Company

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving neglected shows from the past, presents the season opener of the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series: Big, with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. This presentation of Big marks the New York premiere of the script and score created by the authors for the show's national tour-a significantly revised version of the show with eight new Maltby and Shire songs, yet to be recorded. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!
Photo Flash: First Look at John Tartaglia, Kerry Butler, and More in York Theatre Company's BIG

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving neglected shows from the past, presents the season opener of the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series: BIG, today, Oct. 11, with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. This presentation of Big marks the New York premiere of the script and score created by the authors for the show's national tour -- a significantly revised version of the show with eight new Maltby and Shire songs, yet to be recorded. BroadwayWorld brings you production photos below!
Kerry Butler and John Tartaglia Star in York's 'Musicals in Mufti' Series Opener, BIG Today

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving neglected shows from the past, presents the season opener of the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series: Big, today, Oct. 11, with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire.
York's 2014 'Musicals in Mufti' Series Opens With BIG This Weekend

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving neglected shows from the past, presents the season opener of the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series: Big, with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. This presentation of Big marks the New York premiere of the script and score created by the authors for the show's national tour -- a significantly revised version of the show with eight new Maltby and Shire songs, yet to be recorded.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of York Theatre Company's BIG - John Tartaglia, Kerry Butler & More!

Directed by Michael Unger, with music direction by Eric Svejcar, the cast will feature Tony Award nominees John Tartaglia and Kerry Butler, with Elainey Bass, Whitney Brandt, Walter Charles, Trista Dollison, Liam Forde, Tom Lucca, James Ludwig, Rhyn McLemore, Janet Metz, Julianna Rigoglioso, Jeremy Shinder and Hayden Wall.
John Tartaglia & Kerry Butler to Lead York's BIG as Part of Musicals In Mufti

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving neglected shows from the past, has announced complete casting for the season opener of the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series: Big, with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. This presentation of Big marks the New York premiere of the script and score created by the authors for the show's national tour-a significantly revised version of the show with eight new Maltby and Shire songs, yet to be recorded.
Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of York Theatre Company's JACK

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), just launched its 'New2NY' Series with a concert presentation of the musical Jack: A Musical Drama on the Life of John F. Kennedy, with Book and Lyrics by Will Holt and Tom Sawyer, Music by Will Holt, based on an original concept by Tom Sawyer. Directed by Igor Goldin, and with Music Direction by Matt Castle, the cast features Frank Anderson, Wilson Bridges, Patrick Cummings, Jessica Grove, Julia Johanos, Anne Kanengeiser, Erick Pinnick, Lauren Sterling, Debra Walton, and William Zeffiro. Stephen Lee Anderson has replaced the previously announced Walter Charles. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside opening night below!
York Theatre Company's JACK Begins Performances Tonight

The York Theatre Company launches its 'New2NY' Series with a concert presentation of the musical Jack: A Musical Drama on the Life of John F. Kennedy, with Book and Lyrics byWill Holt and Tom Sawyer, Music by Will Holt, based on an original concept by Tom Sawyer. Directed by Igor Goldin, and with Music Direction by Matt Castle, the cast features Frank Anderson, Wilson Bridges, Patrick Cummings, Jessica Grove, Julia Johanos, Anne Kanengeiser, Erick Pinnick, Lauren Sterling, Debra Walton, and William Zeffiro. Stephen Lee Anderson has replaced the previously announced Walter Charles.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Walter Charles been in?

Walter Charles has appeared on Broadway in 16 shows.

How many West End shows has Walter Charles been in?

Walter Charles has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Walter Charles been nominated for?

and Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Cabaret .

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