Walter Charles Explained

Walter Charles (born Walter Charles Jacobsen; April 4, 1945 – August 3, 2023) was an American actor and singer.

Charles made his Broadway debut in Grease in 1972. Additional Broadway credits include 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976), (1979), Cats (1982), La Cage aux Folles (1983), Me and My Girl (1987), Aspects of Love (1990), Kiss Me, Kate (2000), 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. He played Max von Mayerling in the Toronto production of Sunset Boulevard in 1995. He reprised the role of Judge Turpin in the 2002 Kennedy Center and 2004 New York City Opera productions of Sweeney Todd.[1] [2] [3]

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 .

Walter Charles died of complications from frontotemporal dementia on August 3, 2023, at the age of 78.[4] He is survived by his wife, Leslie Thompson.[5]

Stage credits

Sources:[2] [3]

YearTitleRoleLocation
1970-19721776Joseph Hewes
u/s Thomas McKean
u/s John Hancock		US National Tour
1972John DickinsonBergen Mall Shopping Center
1972-1974GreaseVince FontaineUS National Tour
1975Royale Theatre, Broadway
19761600 Pennsylvania AvenueDelegate of New Jersey / Ordway / SingerMark Hellinger Theatre, Broadway
1977Jesus Christ SuperstarCaiaphasPaper Mill Playhouse
1978Man of La ManchaDr. Carrasco / The DukeUS National Tour
1979-1980Ensemble
u/s Sweeney Todd		Uris Theatre, Broadway
1980Anyone Can WhistleTreasurer CooleyBerkshire Theatre Festival
1980-1981Passerby / Ensemble
u/s Sweeney Todd
u/s Judge Turpin		US National Tour
1982-1983CatsChorus
u/s Old Deuteronomy		Winter Garden Theatre, Broadway
1983-1984La Cage aux FollesRenaud
u/s Albin
u/s Georges
u/s Edouard Dindon		Palace Theatre, Broadway
1984-1985AlbinGolden Gate Park
Pantages Theatre
1985-1987Palace Theatre, Broadway
1987KismetHajjHeinz Hall
1987-1988Me and My GirlHerbert ParchesterUS National Tour
1988La Cage aux FollesGeorgesPaper Mill Playhouse
1990-1991Aspects of LoveMarcel Richard
u/s George Dillingham		Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway
Sir George Dillingham
1991Man of La ManchaDon Quixote / Miguel de CervantesArtpark
1992GypsyHerbieValley Forge Music Fair
Westbury Music Fair
1993Martin GuerreM. Guerre / Jacques BoeriHartford Stage
1993-1994La Cage aux FollesGeorgesUS National Tour
1994KismetHajj5th Avenue Theatre
A Christmas CarolEbenezer ScroogeThe Theater at Madison Square Garden
1995Call Me MadamCosmo ConstantineNew York City Center
FolliesBenjamin Stone5th Avenue Theatre
1995-1997Sunset BoulevardMax von MayerlingFord Centre for the Performing Arts
1997La Cage aux FollesGeorgesBenedum Center
1998FolliesBenjamin StoneSan Jose Center for the Performing Arts
La Cage aux FollesGeorgesUS National Tour
Man of La ManchaDon Quixote / Miguel de CervantesWestbury Music Fair
1998-1999WitMr. Bearing / Harvey KelekianMCC Theater
Union Square Theatre
1999-2000Kiss Me, KateHarrison HowellMartin Beck Theatre, Broadway
2002Judge TurpinKennedy Center
CompanyLarry
The Boys from SyracuseAegeanAmerican Airlines Theatre, Broadway
2003Big RiverPreacher / Doctor / Voice of Judge / Voice of Duke / Voice of First Man / Ensemble
2004Me and My GirlSir John TremayneBenedum Center
Judge TurpinNew York City Opera
AnnieOliver "Daddy" WarbucksThe Muny
2005Big RiverVoice of Duke / Doctor / Judge ThatcherFord's Theatre
2005-2006The Woman in WhiteMr. FairlieMarquis Theatre, Broadway
2006Hello, Dolly!Horace VandergelderPaper Mill Playhouse
CabaretHerr SchultzArena Stage
2006-2007The Apple TreeKing Arik / Mr. Fallible / ProducerStudio 54, Broadway
2007-2008My Fair LadyColonel Hugh PickeringUS National Tour
2008Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The MusicalOld Max
2009Judge TurpinCasa Mañana
2010Sunday in the Park with GeorgeCharles Redmond / Mr.Arden Theatre Company
Damn YankeesJoe BoydThe Muny
2011-2012Anything GoesCaptainStephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway
2012Sunset BoulevardMax von MayerlingBenedum Center
2015La Cage aux FollesGeorgesThe Wick Theatre and Costume Museum

Notes and References

  1. http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/70192/Walter-Charles "Walter Charles Broadway"
  2. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/walter-charles-74355 Walter Charles IBDB
  3. https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/4630-walter-charles Walter Charles Theatre Credits
  4. News: Wild . Stephi . Broadway Alum Walter Charles Dies at 78 . 6 August 2023 . Broadway World . 3 August 2023.
  5. https://www.dickenfuneralhome.com/obituary/Walter-Charles Walter Charles

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