Original CAROUSEL Actress Christine Johnson Dies at 98

Christine Johnson Smith, who originated the role of Nettie Fowler in Rogers and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL has died. The role earnEd Smith a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. 

According to Glenn Funeral Home, the actress died Wednesday at her home in Owensboro, Kentucky. She is survived by her son, David; and three daughters, Jean A. Sweeney, Patti Gore and Lynda Foster. Smith was 98.

Before Christine Smith originated her role for CAROUSEL's 1945 Broadway debut, she studied at the Nashville Conservatory of Music in Tennessee. She then moved to New York in 1937.

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