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Nell Carter

Nell Carter

Actor · Died January 23, 2003, aged 54 · Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Nell Carter was an American actress and singer. Carter began her career in 1970, singing in the theater, and later began work on television. She was best known for her role as Nell Harper on the sitcom Gimme a Break!, which aired from 1981 to 1987.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 13, 1948
Died
January 23, 2003 (aged 54)
From
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
22 on MovieCove · 45 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 29% in 30 days

What are Nell Carter's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
28%
Bonds
22%
Society
17%
Power
12%
Survival
10%
Morality
7%
Ideas
5%
Self-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 10 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 5 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 5

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
6
Joyful
4
Hopeful
4
Absurd
4
Melancholic
4
Other
12

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Nell Carter's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Pluto TV (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Nell Carter's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

45 credits, 22 with a MovieCove page; 17 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Back by Midnight(2004)

    as Waitress

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Broadway's Lost Treasures II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Performer (segment "Ain't Misbehavin'")

  • Swing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Grace

  • Spider-Man: The Return of the Green Goblin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Glory Grant (voice)

  • Reba(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Susan Peters

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story(2000)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Perfect Fit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Mrs. Gordy

  • Sealed with a Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mrs. Wheatley

  • We Wish You a Merry Christmas(1999)

    as Mrs. Claus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Follow Your Heart(1999)

    as Bus Driver

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Seven Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special(1997)

    as Mary (voice)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harriet Pumple

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Fakin' Da Funk(1997)

    as Claire

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Grass Harp(1995)

    as Catherine Creek

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Proprietor(1996)

    as Millie Jackson

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Can't Hurry Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Bradstock

  • Brotherly Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Nell Bascombe

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • The Misery Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Courtroom Singer

  • The Crazysitter(1994)

    as The Warden

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man: The Animated Series(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Glory Grant (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Cynthia Winslow

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992)

    Show 44 episodes · as P.J. Moore

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Bebe's Kids(1992)

    as Vivian (voice)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story(1992)

    as Lucille Gathers

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Jaleel White Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Maid for Each Other(1992)

    as Jasmine Jones

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • You Take the Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 6 episodes · as Nell Kirkland

  • Morton's by the Bay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Maggie

  • Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Nell Carter

  • Jake and the Fatman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Amen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Nell Carter... Never Too Old to Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • 227(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Christmas in Washington (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Ain't Misbehavin' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Performer

  • The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Modern Problems(1981)

    as Dorita

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Gimme a Break! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 137 episodes · as Nell Harper

  • Back Roads(1981)

    as Waitress

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 37 episodes · as Hildy Jones

  • Hair(1979)

    as Ain't Got No' / 'White Boys

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Cindy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Olive

Career shape

Star power in the 84th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 44 titles from 1978 to 2005; peak year 1981.

Biggest box office

Modern Problems (1981)

$26M worldwide

Highest rated

The Grass Harp (1995)

Midcredits 78th

Most popular right now

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992)

Film career

19782005

Peak 1981 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting44 of 44: 44 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score39th

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s13 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s7 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Nell Carter's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 39th percentile, the median of all 15; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 22 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic6
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story (2000)

99th percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hair (1979)

Midcredits 90th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Nell Carter work with?

People who share at least 2 of Nell Carter's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Thomas L. Wilhite shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers