Paula Kelly, star of Night Court and Sweet Charity, dead at 77 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- The star of both stage and screen died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Whittier, California on Saturday, February 8
- Her family and Los Angeles’ Ebony Repertory Theatre announced her death
- She starred alongside Shirley Maclaine and Chita Rivera in 1969 film Sweet Charity
- Kelly was more than just an actress as she showed off several talents as a dancer, singer, and choreographer in film, television, and on Broadway
- She earned a best supporting actress Emmy nod in 1984 for portraying public defender Liz Williams on the first season of NBC's Night Court
- The star married British-born director Don Chaffey in 1985 and had one child together before Chaffey died in 1990
Paula Kelly - who starred alongside Shirley Maclaine and Chita Rivera in 1969 film Sweet Charity - has died at 77.
The star of both stage and screen died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Whittier, California on Saturday, February 8.
Her family and Los Angeles’ Ebony Repertory Theatre announced her death.
Sad: Paula Kelly (seen in a portrait from Trouble Man in 1972 - died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Whittier, California on Saturday, February 8 her family and Los Angeles’ Ebony Repertory Theatre announced
Iconic: She starred alongside Shirley Maclaine and Chita Rivera in Sweet Charity in 1969
Kelly was more than just an actress as she showed off several talents as a dancer, singer, and choreographer in film, television, and on Broadway.
The Julliard School Of Music educated star earned a best supporting actress Emmy nod in 1984 for portraying public defender Liz Williams on the first season of NBC's Night Court.
She later received another nomination in 1989 for playing a lesbian on the ABC miniseries The Women of Brewster Place.
Legend: Kelly (seen on This Is Tom Jones in 1970) was more than just an actress as she showed off several talents as a dancer, singer, and choreographer in film, television, and on Broadway
Kelly made her Broadway debut in the 1964 musical Something More! directed by Jule Styne and starring Barbara Cook.
She later shared the stage with Morgan Freeman on Broadway in The Dozens.
One of her most important roles was Helene in Sweet Charity, which she played onstage in London and then reprised in Bob Fosse's feature film debut in 1969.
Multi-talented: One of her most important roles was Helene in Sweet Charity, which she played onstage in London and then reprised in Bob Fosse's feature film debut in 1969
Her other film credits include The Andromeda Strain, Top of the Heap and Soylent Green.
Kelly's vast TV credits also include Santa Barbara, Mission: Impossible, Kojak and The Golden Girls.
The star married British-born director Don Chaffey in 1985 and had one child together before Chaffey died in 1990.
Gone too soon: The star (seen at the Academy Awards in 1969) married British-born director Don Chaffey in 1985 and had one child together before Chaffey died in 1990
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