Biography
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.
Filmography
all 30
self 27
Movies 25
TV Shows 5
Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection (2023)
Herb Alpert Is... (2020)
My Music: A Classic Christmas (2019)
Carpenters: Christmas Memories (2016)
Too Young to Die (2012)
Paul Williams Still Alive (2011)
Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story (2007)
Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost (2004)
Close to You: The Story of the Carpenters (2002)
Carpenters: DVD Gold (2002)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 years of Laughter Volume 1 (2001)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 years of Laughter Volume 2 (2001)
Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters (1998)
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987)
Carpenters: Yesterday Once More (1985)
Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights (1980)
The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978)
The Carpenters... Space Encounters (1978)
The Carpenters at Christmas (1977)
The Carpenters: A World of Music (1976)
The Carpenters Concert: Live at the New London Theatre (1976)
Numéro un (1975)
The Perry Como Christmas Show (1974)
Please, Mr. Postman (1974)
Carpenters: Live at Budokan (1974)
The Carpenters: Live in Australia (1972)
The Carpenters: Live at the BBC (1971)
Make Your Own Kind of Music (1971)
The Carol Burnett Show (1967)
Die Drehscheibe (1964)
Ratings
Information
Known ForActing
GenderFemale
Birthday1950-03-02
Deathday1983-02-04 (32 years old)
Birth PlaceYale – New Haven Hospital, United States of America
Height
FatherHarold Bertram Carpenter
MotherAgnes Reuwer Tatum
SiblingsRichard Carpenter
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsKaren Anne Carpenter, The Carpenters, Carpenters
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
- Karen Carpenter
- Filmography
- Information
- Related Persons