*The incomparable Paula Kelly was as talented as she was unsung. The dancer, singer, and actress passed away on Monday at the age of 76, leaving behind a body of work that spans multiple genres and more than three decades.
She made her Broadway debut as Mrs. Veloz in the 1964 musical Something More!, opposite Barbara Cook. Her other stage credits include The Dozens (1969), Paul Sills’ Story Theatre (1971), Ovid’s Metamorphoses (1971), and Sophisticated Ladies (1981).
She appeared on the London stage in Sweet Charity, for which she won the London Variety Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also appeared in the film adaptation of Sweet Charity, starring Chita Rivera and Shirley MacLaine.
Kelly also appeared in a number of television musical specials, including Sammy and Friends, Quincy Jones’ TV tribute to Duke Ellington, We Love You Madly; The Richard Pryor Show; and Gene Kelly’s New York, New York. She was co-choreographer of the BBC production of Peter Pan, in which she also performed the role of Tiger-Lily.
Kelly’s film credits include Soylent Green; The Spook Who Sat by the Door; The Andromeda Strain; Uptown Saturday Night (Leggy Peggy!), Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling; Drop Squad; and Once Upon a Time…When We Were Colored.
On television, Kelly had a recurring role on the first season of the sitcom Night Court, for which she received an Emmy nomination. She also guest-starred in a variety of television movies and sitcoms, including Sanford and Son, Kojak, Police Woman, Golden Girls, Good Times, Any Day Now and TV mini-series The Women of Brewster Place. She was nominated for a second Emmy for her role in The Women of Brewster Place.
By 1999, Kelly had retired from acting. She was married to director Donald Chaffey from 1985 until his death in 1990. She is survived by her daughter with Chaffey.
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