KC
Karen Carpenter
Composer, Actor
Born March 2, 1950Died February 4, 1983 (32 years)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who was part of the duo the Carpenters alongside her older brother Richard. She was praised for her contralto vocals, and her drumming abilities were viewed positively by other musicians and critics. Her struggles with eating disorders would later raise awareness of anorexia and body dysmorphia.
Carpenter was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Downey, California, in 1963 with her family. She began to study the drums in high school and joined the Long Beach State choir after graduating. After several years of touring and recording, the Carpenters were signed to A&M Records in 1969, achieving commercial and critical success throughout the 1970s. Initially, Carpenter was the band's full-time drummer, but gradually took the role of frontwoman as drumming was reduced to a handful of live showcases or tracks on albums. While the Carpenters were on hiatus in the late 1970s, she recorded a solo album, which was released years after her death.
Carpenter had the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which was little-known at the time, and was briefly married in the early 1980s. She died at age 32 from heart failure caused by complications related to her illness. Her death led to increased visibility and awareness of eating disorders. Her work continues to attract praise, including being listed among Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers of all time.
Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who was part of the duo the Carpenters alongside her older brother Richard. She was praised for her contralto vocals, and her drumming abilities were viewed positively by other musicians and critics. Her struggles with eating disorders would later raise awareness of anorexia and body dysmorphia.
Carpenter was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Downey, California, in 1963 with her family. She began to study the drums in high school and joined the Long Beach State choir after graduating. After several years of touring and recording, the Carpenters were signed to A&M Records in 1969, achieving commercial and critical success throughout the 1970s. Initially, Carpenter was the band's full-time drummer, but gradually took the role of frontwoman as drumming was reduced to a handful of live showcases or tracks on albums. While the Carpenters were on hiatus in the late 1970s, she recorded a solo album, which was released years after her death.
Carpenter had the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which was little-known at the time, and was briefly married in the early 1980s. She died at age 32 from heart failure caused by complications related to her illness. Her death led to increased visibility and awareness of eating disorders. Her work continues to attract praise, including being listed among Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers of all time.
Filmography
| 2024 | Luther: Never Too Much · as Self |
| 2023 | Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2022 | |
| 2016 | Karen Carpenter: Goodbye to Love · as Self |
| 2011 | Paul Williams: Still Alive · as Self |
| 2007 | Only Yesterday: The Carpenters' Story · as Self |
| 2004 | Corporate Ghost · as Self In 'superstar' |
| 2004 | Andy Williams: My Favorite Duets · as Self |
| 2003 | I Love the 70s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | |
| 1998 | The Greatest (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters · as Self |
| 1993 | The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion · as Self |
| 1985 | Carpenters: Yesterday Once More · as Herself |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights · as Self |
| 1978 | The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait · as Self |
| 1978 | Bruce Forsyth's Big Night (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Star |
| 1978 | 20/20 (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1978 | The Carpenters... Space Encounters · as Self |
| 1977 | The Carpenters at Christmas · as Self |
| 1977 | American Bandstand's 25th Anniversary · as Self (the Carpenters) |
| 1976 | Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Number One (TV Series) · as Self - The Carpenters |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | The Perry Como Christmas Show · as Herself |
| 1973 | Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | The Special London Bridge Special · as Self |
| 1972 | The 44th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Carpenters |
| 1971 | Disco (TV Series) · as Self - The Carpenters |
| 1970 | This Is Your Life (TV Series) · as Self - Honoree |
| 1970 | In Concert (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1970 | TopPop (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1970 | Evening at Pops (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1970 | Carpenters: Close to You · as Self |
| 1969 | The Johnny Cash Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | The Carol Burnett Show (TV Series) · as Self - The Carpenters |
| 1965 | The Dating Game (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant |
| 1964 | Die Drehscheibe (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1964 | Top of the Pops (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self - Vocalist |
| 1954 | Disneyland (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | American Bandstand (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1950 | The Bob Hope Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) · as Self - Musician |