Candice Earley

Candice Jean Earley (August 18, 1950 – January 31, 2019) was an American actress and singer born in Oklahoma.

Candice Earley
Born
Candice Jean Earley

(1950-08-18)August 18, 1950
Lawton, Oklahoma, US
DiedJanuary 31, 2019(2019-01-31) (aged 68)
El Dorado, Arkansas, US
Occupation(s)Actress, singer

Early years

Earley 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

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 1976 to 1992.[3] Donna was originally a troubled youth, 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. Earley was written out of the show in 1992.

Earley had Broadway roles in Hair, Grease,[4] and Jesus Christ Superstar. 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.[5]

Death

Earley died on January 31, 2019, after an eight-year battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA).[6]

References
  1. Novakovich, Lilana (April 19, 1991). "Farewell to supporting roles". The Province. Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver. p. 166. Retrieved November 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "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.
  3. Rogers, Rick (8 June 1997). "Oklahoma Actress Reminisces About Experiences in "Grease"". NewsOK.com. The Oklahoman. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  4. "Candice Earley". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  5. "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.
  6. "Candice Earley Nolan". The Lawton Constitution. 3 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.


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