Karen Carpenter
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.
Acting
TV
The Carol Burnett Show
as Self - The Carpenters
1967
Movie
Carpenters: Yesterday Once More
as Herself
1985
Movie
Herb Alpert Is...
as Archival footage
2020
Movie
Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights
as Self
1980
Movie
The Perry Como Christmas Show
as Herself
1974
TV
Die Drehscheibe
as Self
1964
Movie
Carpenters: Gold
2002
Movie
The Carpenters... Space Encounters
as Self
1978
Movie
My Music: A Classic Christmas
as Self - The Carpenters (archive footage)
2019
Movie
60 Songs: BBC Two at 60
as Self (archive footage)
2024
TV
Numéro un
as Self - The Carpenters
1975
Movie
The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait
as Self
1978
Movie
The Carpenters at Christmas
as Self
1977
Movie
The Carpenters: A World of Music
as self
1976
Movie
The Carpenters: Live at the BBC
as Self
1971
Movie
Mickey's 50
as Self
1978
Movie
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
as Self (archive footage)
2003
Movie
Carpenters Very First Television Special
as Self
1976
Movie
Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection
as Self (archive footage)
2023
Movie
Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story
as Self
2007
Movie
The Carpenters: Live in Australia
as self
1972
Movie
Carpenters: Christmas Memories
as Herself
2016
Movie
The Carpenters Concert: Live at the New London Theatre
as Herself
1976
Movie
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
as Self (archive footage)
2001
