Walter Charles (born Walter Charles Jacobsen; April 4, 1945 – August 3, 2023) was an American actor and singer.
Charles made his Broadway debut in Grease in 1972. Additional Broadway credits include 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Cats (1982), La Cage aux Folles (1983), Me and My Girl (1987), Aspects of Love (1990), Kiss Me, Kate (2000), The Boys from Syracuse (2002), Big River (2003), The Woman in White (2005), The Apple Tree (2006) and Anything Goes (2011). He also originated the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 1994. He played Max von Mayerling in the Toronto production of Sunset Boulevard in 1995. He reprised the role of Judge Turpin in the 2002 Kennedy Center and 2004 New York City Opera productions of Sweeney Todd."Walter Charles Broadway" playbillvault.com. Retrieved November 6, 2015Walter Charles IBDB ibdb.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024Walter Charles Theatre Credits abouttheartists.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024
In 1997 he portrayed Georges in La Cage aux Folles at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera with Tom Helm as the musical director.
Charles' screen credits include A Fine Mess, Fletch Lives, Weeds, and Prancer. On television he appeared in Cagney and Lacey, Kate and Allie, Law & Order, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Walter Charles died of complications from frontotemporal dementia on August 3, 2023, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Thompson.Walter Charles
Stage credits Sources: Year Title Role Location1970–19721776Joseph Hewesu/s Thomas McKeanu/s John HancockUS National Tour1972John DickinsonBergen Mall Shopping Center1972–1974GreaseVince FontaineUS National Tour1975Royale Theatre, Broadway19761600 Pennsylvania AvenueDelegate of New Jersey / Ordway / SingerMark Hellinger Theatre, Broadway1977Jesus Christ SuperstarCaiaphasPaper Mill Playhouse1978Man of La ManchaDr. Sanson Carrasco / The DukeUS National Tour1979–1980Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetEnsembleu/s Sweeney ToddUris Theatre, Broadway1980Anyone Can WhistleTreasurer CooleyBerkshire Theatre Festival1980–1981Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetPasserby / Ensembleu/s Sweeney Toddu/s Judge TurpinUS National Tour1982–1983CatsChorusu/s Old DeuteronomyWinter Garden Theatre, Broadway1983–1984La Cage aux FollesRenaudu/s Albin Mougeotteu/s Georges Baldiu/s Edouard DindonPalace Theatre, Broadway1984–1985Albin MougeotteGolden Gate ParkPantages Theatre1985–1987Palace Theatre, Broadway1987KismetHajjHeinz Hall1987–1988Me and My GirlHerbert ParchesterUS National Tour1988La Cage aux FollesGeorges BaldiPaper Mill Playhouse1990–1991Aspects of LoveMarcel Richardu/s Sir George DillinghamBroadhurst Theatre, BroadwaySir George Dillingham1991Man of La ManchaDon Quixote / Miguel de CervantesArtpark1992GypsyHerbieValley Forge Music FairWestbury Music Fair1993Martin GuerreMartin Guerre / Jacques BoeriHartford Stage1993–1994La Cage aux FollesGeorges BaldiUS National Tour1994KismetHajj5th Avenue TheatreA Christmas CarolEbenezer ScroogeThe Theater at Madison Square Garden1995Call Me MadamCosmo ConstantineNew York City CenterFolliesBenjamin Stone5th Avenue Theatre1995–1997Sunset BoulevardMax von MayerlingFord Centre for the Performing Arts1997La Cage aux FollesGeorges BaldiBenedum Center1998FolliesBenjamin StoneSan Jose Center for the Performing ArtsLa Cage aux FollesGeorges BaldiUS National TourMan of La ManchaDon Quixote / Miguel de CervantesWestbury Music Fair1998–1999WitMr. Bearing / Harvey KelekianMCC TheaterUnion Square Theatre1999–2000Kiss Me, KateHarrison HowellMartin Beck Theatre, Broadway2002Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetJudge TurpinKennedy CenterCompanyLarryThe Boys from SyracuseAegeanAmerican Airlines Theatre, Broadway2003Big RiverPreacher / Doctor / Voice of Judge / Voice of Duke / Voice of First Man / Ensemble2004Me and My GirlSir John TremayneBenedum CenterSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetJudge TurpinNew York City OperaAnnieOliver "Daddy" WarbucksThe Muny2005Big RiverVoice of Duke / Doctor / Judge ThatcherFord's Theatre2005–2006The Woman in WhiteMr. FairlieMarquis Theatre, Broadway2006Hello, Dolly!Horace VandergelderPaper Mill PlayhouseCabaretHerr SchultzArena Stage2006–2007The Apple TreeKing Arik / Mr. Fallible / ProducerStudio 54, Broadway2007–2008My Fair LadyColonel Hugh PickeringUS National Tour2008Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The MusicalOld Max2009Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetJudge TurpinCasa Mañana2010Sunday in the Park with GeorgeCharles Redmond / Mr.Arden Theatre CompanyDamn YankeesJoe BoydThe Muny2011–2012Anything GoesCaptainStephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway2012Sunset BoulevardMax von MayerlingBenedum Center2015La Cage aux FollesGeorges MougeotteThe Wick Theatre and Costume Museum
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