Charlotte Rae net worth is $4 Million. Also know about Charlotte Rae bio, salary, height, age weight, relationship and more …
Charlotte Rae Wiki Biography
Charlotte Rae Lubotsky was born on the 22nd April 1926, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA, and is an actress, comedian, singer and dancer, probably still most famous for her role of Edna Garrett in the 1980s NBC sitcoms “Diff’rent Strokes” and “The Facts of Life”. Charlotte is also known for her appearance in “Sesame Street”, in which she portrayed Molly, the Mail Lady. She has been nominated for Tony and Primetime Emmy Awards, and for her engagements in “The Facts of Life” she was honored with a TV Land Award in 2011.
Have you ever wondered how much wealth this acting veteran has accumulated so far? How rich Charlotte Rae is? According to sources, it is estimated that the total amount of Charlotte Rae’s net worth, as of late 2016, is $4 million, acquired through her vivid multimedia career which is now spanning more than six decades.
Charlotte was born the middle of three daughters in a family of Russian Jewish immigrants, Esther and Meyer Lubotsky. She attended Shorewood High School before enrolling at Northwestern University where she studied communications, but from which she never graduated. Charlotte’s interest in acting and performing in general dates back to her teenage years, when she became engaged in some radio work and joined Wauwatosa Children’s Theater. At the age of 16, she joined a professional theater company – Port Players – as their apprentice. In 1948, Charlotte relocated to New York City, where she began performing in nightclubs and acting, including in The Big Apple’s prestigious and posh clubs at that time – Village Vanguard and Blue Angel, the home of Elaine May and Barbra Streisand. These engagements provided the basis for Charlotte Rae’s net worth.
Charlotte’s real acting career began in the early 1950s when she was cast in Broadway musicals including “The Threepenny Opera”, “Li’l Abner”, “Three Wishes for Jamie” and “Pickwick”; for the latter engagement, she was nominated for a prestigious Tony Award. These were followed by her first and only solo album, “Songs I Taught My Mother” which was released in 1955 and featured several “silly, sinful and satirical” songs, before in 1956 appearing in Ben Bagley’s “The Littlest Revue”. It is certain that all these engagements contributed to the overall wealth of Charlotte Rae.
Parallel to stage, Charlotte was developing her television career. She debuted on the small screen in 1954 when she appeared in one episode of “Look Up and Live” which was followed by appearances in “United States Steel Hour”, “The Pill Silvers Show” as well as “Play of the Week” and “The Colgate Comedy Hour”. However, her more notable role was as Sylvia Schnauser in the police comedy “Car 54, Where Are You?” in which she starred between 1961 and 1963. She also appeared in eight episodes of the third season of “Sesame Street”. Doubtlessly, these ventures increased Charlotte Rae’s overall net worth by a large margin.
In 1974, Charlotte transferred to Los Angeles, California with Hollywood on her mind, aiming to raise her career to a new level. The real breakthrough in Rae’s acting career came in 1978 when she was cast for the role of Edna Garrett, a housekeeper, in “Diff’rent Strokes”. After appearing in all 24 episodes of the first season and over a dozen episodes of the season two, her character became so popular among the audience that producers, alongside Charlotte, came up with the idea of a spin off – “The Facts of Life”, which subsequently aired for nine seasons, between 1979 and 1986. The role of Edna Garrett marked the acting career of Charlotte Rae and is definitely her most notable role so far. It had also brought her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1982. Certainly, besides bringing popularity, these engagements had also brought a massive increment to Charlotte Rae’s net worth.
In the late 1990s, Charlotte acted in “101 Dalmatians: The Series” and in “The Brothers Flub” TV series. In 2008, she played Roxanne Gaines in the popular medical drama TV series – “ER”. Apart from her TV career, Rae had also appeared in over a dozen movies of which most notable are “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” (2008), “Love Sick Love” (2012) and “Ricky and the Flash” (2015). These roles enriched her professional portfolio as well as her overall wealth.
When it comes to her personal life, Charlotte Rae married composer John Strauss in 1951, with whom she has two sons. After John came out as bisexual, Charlotte filed for divorce in 1976. In 2009, she was diagnosed with early pancreatic cancer; after several years of treatment, in 2015 she was declared cancer free.
IMDB Wikipedia $4 Million 1.52 m 1926 1926-04-22 4 ft 11 in (1.524 m) 4000000 Actor Actors American Andrew Strauss April 22 Barbra Streisand Beverly Lubotsky Charlotte Rae Charlotte Rae Lubotsky Charlotte Rae Net Worth Comedian Dancer Elaine May Esther Lubotsky John Strauss John Strauss (m. 1951–1976) Larry Strauss Maude Meyer Lubotsky Milwaukee Miriam Lubotsky Northwestern University Shorewood High School Singer United States United States of America Voice Actor Wisconsin
Charlotte Rae Quick Info
| Full Name | Charlotte Rae |
| Net Worth | $4 Million |
| Date Of Birth | April 22, 1926 |
| Place Of Birth | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
| Height | 1.52 m |
| Profession | Singer, Dancer, Comedian, Voice Actor |
| Education | Shorewood High School, Northwestern University |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | John Strauss (m. 1951–1976) |
| Children | Larry Strauss, Andrew Strauss |
| Parents | Meyer Lubotsky, Esther Lubotsky |
| Siblings | Miriam Lubotsky, Beverly Lubotsky |
| IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0705989/ |
| Nominations | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance By a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Special |
| Movies | The Facts of Life Reunion, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, The Worst Witch, The Hot Rock, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, Hello Down There, The Facts of Life Goes to Paris, Another Woman’s Husband, Sidewinder 1, Hair, The Journey of the Fifth Horse, Save the Dog!, Bananas, J… |
| TV Shows | Car 54, Where Are You?, Hot l Baltimore, Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, One to Grow On, 101 Dalmatians: The Series, The Brothers Flub, Beane’s of Boston, Once Upon a Tune, The Rich Little Show, The Great Debate |
Charlotte Rae Trademarks
- Often tells stories of her experience in New York City.
- Her plump, short stature
- Her smile.
- Her husky voice
- Auburn-reddish hair
Charlotte Rae Quotes
- [If she had turned down a role before playing Edna Garrett]: Yes. I’ve turned things down. Sometimes because I’ve just finished something else an I’m too exhausted or sometimes the material just doesn’t grab me. I’ve been offered TV pilots I didn’t think would fly – and even if they did go to series those weren’t shows I’d want to be on for years and years. When my boys were young, I turned things down to spend time with them. It was something I needed to do-for them and for me.
- [In 2015]: If this is your passion don’t judge yourself. Just keep striving. Life is one long day at school. Keep working and growing in your art.
- [2011] I was thinking of a tree that grows up straight to the sky. Why, what did you think?
- I had to act because I couldn’t do anything else.
- [Of Mindy Cohn]: I kept going back to this little girl, Mindy Cohn, cause she was so adorable and she had that adorable little voice, and I asked her a question, and she go, ‘Well, I don’t know, it seems to me that,’ and she’s so cute and funny and I said, ‘She’d be a great compliment to the other girls.’
- [on her departure of The Facts of Life (1979), at the end of the seventh season]: They wanted me to stay a couple more years, they offered me millions.
- I have to keep reminding people that I am not Mrs. Garrett. Mrs. Garrett is more together. She is much more organized. Not I …
- [Of Joan Collins]: You want to know what happened? They played it for her and she said, ‘Who’s that Old Cow?’ And I really felt badly because I’ve had a long siege of the flu, and it was my first night out. I did write a note to her and had him slip it under her dressing room door and I said, ‘I apologized, you were excellent in the play, signed, sincerely, ‘The Old Cow.’
- [Who responded in 1984 as to why she enjoys series television]: In TV, you have to compromise. But when strangers put their arms around you and tell you how much they love you it somehow makes it all worthwhile.
- [Who said in 1980 about an episode which she wasn’t inspired to lose weight]: Yes, in that show, I was on a crash diet. But I had plans long before that to sensibly lose weight. I’ve dropped from a size 14 dress to a svelte 8; it’s terrific.
- [on her popularity while playing the fifty-something Edna Garrett on The Facts of Life]: There have been lots of changes in my life these past few months. Not only am I thinner, but Mrs. Garrett is, too. It’ll be a fun season.
- [In 1988]: My former husband wanted to move to California. He is a music editor and music coordinator. He coordinated the music for the film version of ‘Amadeus.’ So many people have moved there from New York, and I felt at home.
- [In 1989]: I’m in a rage, if you really want to know about it.
- [Who said of Gary Coleman’s death in 2010]: I said a prayer for him this morning after hearing about his condition. Gary was so loving, so charming. He was the big star of the show.
- For the first ten years of my life I lived at 1232 N. 12th St. It’s a freeway now. My father owned a tire store. There were three girls in my family, and I was the middle one. All three of us were very talented. My older sister, Beverly, settled in Milwaukee and she died a few years ago. She was an opera singer who sang with the symphony and a group called the Saturday Arts’ Club. My younger sister, Mimi, is an accomplished musician and composer. She wrote a children’s album that I recorded for her, called “Wally Koala” and she’s written a couple of musicals as well.
- [Who laughed about one of the songs she used to sing]: In those days, you could do things that were risqué. The lyrics were clever. Where would I be without those writers?
- [In 2006]: I wanted to be a serious actress. I am a serious actress. I’ve done lots of good stuff.
- [Despite her ongoing feud with Joan Collins, she responded in 2007 if other stars, who would want to work with Joan]: It’s a miracle that people still want to work with her, but I guess they do!
- Composers, artists, actors, singers, all of them. I think, unconsciously learn from others. I’m sure it’s not conscious, but they can’t help it. I know I was influenced by Beatrice Lillie. I must have been.
- [on the death of Gary Coleman]: Coleman was filled with joy which he spread around to millions of people all over the world.
- [Who said in 1982 when she headed to New York, when she dropped her last name]: My father was heartbroken when I didn’t use Lubotsky. Today actors keep their real names and I could use it.
- [Who said in 1985 about being a serious actress, rather than being a funny comedienne]: A good actress should be able to play comedy as well as drama. I was doing a lot of drama until I took the comedy role in the series ‘Car 54, Where Are You?,’ and I’ve been tagged as a comedian ever since.
- [About The Facts of Life (1979) along with her Edna Garrett character]: I want to bring in as much humanity as possible, as well as the humor. I’ve tried to make her a human being with dimensions. The way they write her now is with a great deal of sensitivity and understanding. But I don’t want her to be Polly Perfect, because she must have human failings and make mistakes. She’s also a surrogate mother to the girls. I told them I wanted to be firm with the girls because I know it’s important. Parents must lay down ground rules for their children to help them to grow up and to learn responsibility for their actions. They must learn to stand on their own two feet.
- Joan Collins is a bitch! There’s no doubt about it, everyone says she an extremely difficult person.
- [As to how she was hired by Norman Lear to play Edna Garrett]: I got involved with ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ because of Norman Lear. When I was in New York ginally], I did a lot of things and one of the things was ‘The Colgate Comedy Hour,’ and he was one of the producers and writers of it. So, when I came out to California [after many years in New York with my family], they were very, very wonderful, because I would do little guest shots, guest appearances on all of his sitcoms, and then I was doing something called ‘The Eddie Capra Murder Mysteries,’ and I was at Universal in costume, and they called and asked me to come meet with the producers, and everything. I was wearing an old schweppy thing that I wore for the character for the murder mysteries, and I sat down and I expected to read. They didn’t have me read, we just talked, and they asked me about how I felt this housekeeper should be with these two boys and with Mr. Drummond, and I told him the way I felt, and the next thing I knew I had the part.
- Because of the power of television, I was visible to everybody all over the world. But there are many things in the theater that are more fulfilling and that I look forward to doing more. But really, I love it all: theater, film, television.
- You can take wonderfully talented actors, wonderfully talented writers and producers, and, uh, do a wonderful show!… but if it doesn’t hit with the public in two minutes, it’s bye-bye.
- [on her professional friendship with Norman Lear]: So open. So up front. Not a big shot. Not afraid to take a risk, make a mistake.
- [on Teresa Brewer]: Teresa Brewer and I stood on the bar and sang ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man’ and ‘Cockeyed Optimist. Sometimes a drunk would give me 50 cents. My father came in once and nearly died. With tears in his eyes, he told me the cigarette girl had tried to hustle him.
- [on theater]: I became drunk with power. I was burning to get to New York. But my parents begged me to stay. I needed to graduate, they said. I did soap opera on radio in Chicago. When I told the director my name was Lubotsky, he said, ‘But you can’t use that.’ My father was very hurt. ‘But why?,’ he wanted to know.
- [Who said in 1979 about her small, awkward, plump stature]: How did I fit? I didn’t. I felt inferior. I had this tremendous need to perform. I wanted to be acceptable to my peers. To feel equal. I had an older sister, Beverly, who seemed to be very secure. I had a younger sister, Mimi, who was cute! I thought if I could just be a big star, I’d feel like somebody too.
- I can’t even go to Barbados without people wanting to hug me and ‘Oh, Mrs. Garrett!’, you know, it [The Facts of Life] really had an impact on their lives.
Charlotte Rae Important Facts
- She is most widely known to be a social butterfly.
- Her cast on The Facts of Life (1979) had never told Rae about weigh-ins, until after. As the cast matured, long after the series ended, they stay in touch, after several of the cast have children of their own.
- Is only eight days older than her Cloris Leachman.
- Her popularity on Diff’rent Strokes (1978) led her to doing a sequel The Facts of Life (1979), playing the lead character of Edna Garrett.
- She worked with George Clooney, Helen Hunt, and Molly Ringwald on The Facts of Life (1979) before they went on have successful film careers.
- After her role on Ricki and the Flash (2015), she retired from acting at age 89.
- Had attended the 100th Birthday of her lifelong friend Norman Lloyd, on 9 November 2014, in Los Angeles, California.
- She appeared in the annual student theater extravaganza, ‘The Waa-Mu Show.’.
- John La Touche was said to be a fan of hers. Before Rae would sing, he used to write opera songs with her ex-husband, John Strauss.
- College classmate and longtime friend of Sheldon Harnick.
- Her favorite dramatic role is: Miss Daisy, in ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’.
- Had commuted from New York to Los Angeles every Friday, to tape Car 54, Where Are You? (1961).
- After Vanguard Records went out of business, she tracked down the recording rights of the company, and in the 1970s, Rae brought back the album, for $5,000.
- Was a spokesperson for the public service message, Helen Keller International, in 1987.
- On her 87th birthday, Marilyn Maye sang a birthday song to her.
- She played the same character (Edna Garrett) on three different series: Diff’rent Strokes (1978), The Facts of Life (1979) and Hello, Larry (1979).
- Met Norman Lloyd in the Broadway play, ‘Golden Apple.’ Rae guest-starred on St. Elsewhere (1982) opposite him.
- Attended the 75th Anniversary of the Waa-Mu Show at Northwestern University [2006].
- Neighbor of Dick Woelfle.
- Is a longtime friend of the late Charles Nelson Reilly. They both guest-starred on a 2-part episode of The Love Boat (1977).
- Every year, Rae contributes to the Saban Clinic in Los Angeles, California, where she was discovered by Bernie and Mimi West. The clinic was open in 1967, at the time, it was called the Los Angeles Free Clinic, and in 2008, both Haim Saban and Cheryl Saban donated $10 million dollars, which it was named in honor.
- Her favorite sitcom was All in the Family (1971), which featured both Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton.
- Was inspired by Gloria Steinem.
- Had referred to Conrad Bain as her big brother.
- Before she was a successful actress, she used to work in radio and in television in Chicago.
- Longtime friend and classmate of Cloris Leachman.
- Had guest-starred and starred on a few of Norman Lear’s shows, before she was cast on Diff’rent Strokes (1978) and The Facts of Life (1979).
- A singing and dancing enthusiast.
- Met future husband, John Strauss, when Rae was recording an album called, ‘Songs I Taught My Mother.’ At the time, Strauss, served as musical director on the project, managing the band worked on the recording and arranging the music.
- Met Shirley Jones on an episode of The Partridge Family (1970). The two began a lifelong friendship.
- Attended the funeral of her lifelong friend and old classmate Paul Lynde, when the actor/comedian passed away in 1982. Rae also guest-starred with Lynde on both shows: The Paul Lynde Show (1972) and The Hollywood Squares (1965).
- Lived in New York City from 1948 to 1974.
- Began her show The Facts of Life (1979) at age 53.
- With the death of Conrad Bain in 2013, Rae and Todd Bridges are the only two surviving stars of Diff’rent Strokes (1978).
- Released her only album in 1955 that was reissued in 2006, called “Songs I Taught My Mother.”.
- Did not complete her studies in college.
- Attended the 40th Anniversary Reunion of The Waltons (1971).
- Acting mentor and friend of Mindy Cohn.
- Attended the 90th birthday party of longtime friend Carol Channing, on 21 February 2011.
- Is a fan of both shows: Law & Order (1990) and Masterpiece Classic (1971).
- Met Bea Arthur in a revival of the play, “Bertolt Brecht,” where they began a lifelong friendship until Bea’s death in 2009.
- Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early, because she was screened for it. She was the only one in her family to have a successful surgery.
- Her sister, Mimi, lives in Dallas, Texas.
- Prior to her cancer diagnosis, her son, Larry Strauss met with her doctor at UCLA. After auditioning him, it was concluded that he was the one to perform surgery, where the tail of my pancreas was removed. [14 August 2009].
- After her long stage career, she moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1974, to become an actress.
- Before she celebrated her 84th birthday in 2010, her cyst had grown by the day of her surgery. Afterwards, she completed her last chemotherapy treatment.
- Celebrated her 85th birthday in 2011, with the rest of her The Facts of Life (1979) cast at the TV Land Awards. On that day, both of her former co-stars, Nancy McKeon and Kim Fields, gave speeches respectively, in honor of her birthday.
- After her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, she joined the Pan Can Action Network and Aurora Healthcare to encourage people that pancreatic cancer risk factors and in-particular the importance of detailed testing for those with a family history of pancreatic cancer.
- Made her Broadway debut in “Three Wishes for Jamie,” opposite Leigh Allen and Anne Jeffreys.
- Musical showbusiness ran in her family.
- At one point, she wanted to be a dramatic actress, when eventually, she ended up being a comedienne, all because of her stand-up comedy routines.
- After she lost her older sister, Beverly, she was asked to move back to her hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she shared her family’s story at a local awareness program.
- Used to be a spokesperson for Mr. Muscle oven cleaner and Charmin toilet paper in the 1970s.
- Enjoys golfing, dancing, dining, collecting photo albums, spending time with her family, listening to opera, taking care of people (especially her son) with disabilities, singing and sewing.
- Her character on The Facts of Life (1979) was a Democrat, so is Rae, in real-life.
- She was the narrator and singer for the children’s books series, Wally Kola. Her sister Mimi Guten, wrote the music for the book written by Mimi’s long time music partner Toni Mazzola.
- Had missed numerous episodes of The Facts of Life (1979), midway through the sixth and seventh seasons, due to her serious health problems.
- When she was told to drop her last name, Lubotsky, her father was mildly insulted.
- When she was a little girl, she acted with the Wauwatosa Children’s Theatre and performed on the radio.
- Named the Andy Moffett character (played by Mackenzie Astin) in The Facts of Life (1979) after her own real-life son, Andy, who was autistic.
- Edna Garrett, her character on The Facts of Life (1979) was born on a farm in Wisconsin, the same as herself in real-life.
- Had attended the James Stewart Centennial Tribute at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, which was hosted by Robert Wagner. Among the attendees are: Shirley Jones, Ann Rutherford, Cora Sue Collins and Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart. [12 June 2008].
- Her family moved to the village of Shorewood, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County, in 1936.
- Met Norman Lear on an episode of The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950).
- Composed The Facts of Life (1979)’s 1st season theme song.
- Had an ongoing feud with Joan Collins. Rae referred to her as a “bitch.”.
- At 16, she was an apprentice with the Port Players, a professional theater company that came for the summer to Milwaukee, with several established actors.
- Her ex-husband John Strauss served as musical composer of Car 54, Where Are You? (1961), in which she co-starred.
- She got the role of Edna Garrett on Diff’rent Strokes (1978), because Norman Lear had been friends with her years before. This led her to starring in The Facts of Life (1979), the year later, which she stayed on the show from 1979 to 1986.
- Remained good friends with Lisa Whelchel, Nancy McKeon, Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields only after The Facts of Life (1979) ended. During the run of the show, however, she felt that the girls were “politely distant” with her. It was almost a decade after she left the show when McKeon asked her to guest-star on her show Can’t Hurry Love (1995) that she knew the reason why. McKeon confided in her that the girls thought of her more as a boss, rather than a colleague. In reality, Charlotte was a hired-hand like they were and had nothing to do with the network and producers’ decision to fire the six cast members during the first season.
- Her parents were Russian Jewish immigrants.
- Graduated from Shorewood High School in the village of Shorewood, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County, in 1944.
- Before she was an actress, she was also a singer.
- Before she was a successful actress, she used to work at nearly every nightclub for unfamiliar singers in New York City.
- Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a disease that ran in her family. All of her relatives had passed away, with the exception of Rae, who became cancer-free in 2011.
- Her eldest son Andy was autistic. She knew something was wrong since he was a baby and kept taking him to doctors who told her that she was worrying over nothing. Eventually, a doctor who diagnosed childhood cognitive disabilities told her that her son was autistic. She thought he said “artistic” and was relieved. Then, he wrote out the word “autistic” and explained to her Andy’s condition and that if he didn’t improve by age six, he would have to be institutionalized. She was devastated. But she and her husband helped Andy as much as they could, and when he grew up, he had a girlfriend Rhonda, who was also challenged, but more-functioning than him. Her mother Edna was warm, caring, and wise, and became fast friends with Charlotte. When it came time to giving Mrs. Garrett’s first name on “The Facts of Life”, Charlotte insisted to the writers that her name be Edna, because she wanted her character to have the same qualities. When she told the real Edna about it, she was very flattered and honored.
- Each summer, while she was in college, she also appeared in summer stock.
- Friends with: Shirley Jones, Bea Arthur, Doris Roberts, Angela Lansbury, Florence Henderson, Betty White, Marla Gibbs, Della Reese, Gavin MacLeod, Norman Lear, Jean Stapleton, June Lockhart, Norman Lloyd, Joan Rivers, Carol Channing, Paul Lynde, Woody Allen, Teresa Brewer, Cloris Leachman, Dave Madden, Roddy McDowall, Anne Jeffreys, James Cromwell, Alex Rocco, Gary Coleman, William Schallert, Mary Jo Catlett, Charlene Tilton, Peter Marshall, Karen Grassle, Mickey Rooney, Beverly Garland, Robert Wagner, Charles Nelson Reilly and Conrad Bain.
- Created the Beverly Ann Stickle character for her future The Facts of Life (1979) co-star, Cloris Leachman, named after one of Charlotte’s real-life sisters.
- Used to be a heavy smoker for years.
- Was forced to drop Lubotsky, because a radio personality told Charlotte that her last name wouldn’t cut it.
- Her parents are Esther Ottenstein, who was a childhood friend of Golda Meir, and Meyer Lubotsky, a retail tire business owner.
- Created the Natalie Green character for her future The Facts of Life (1979) co-star, Mindy Cohn, named after one of Charlotte’s best friends, back in high school.
- She has three grandchildren.
- Best known by the public for her starring role as Edna Garrett on Diff’rent Strokes (1978) and it’s spin-off show The Facts of Life (1979).
- Her sister, Beverly Ann, died in 1998.
- Left The Facts of Life (1979), at the beginning of the eighth season, because she felt her character was repeating herself. After she tried to reduced her role, the producers and NBC were against her decision of her departure, so she was being replaced by Cloris Leachman, who stayed on the show until the show’s cancellation in 1988.
- Her classmates at Northwestern University included Cloris Leachman, Paul Lynde, Charlton Heston, Martha Hyer, Patricia Neal and Agnes Nixon. Because they were seated alphabetically and her last name was Lubotsky, she & Lynde were seated next to each other.
- Was twice nominated for Broadway’s Tony Award: in 1966, as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for “Pickwick” (based on the Charles Dickens work), and in 1969, as Best Actress (Dramatic) for “Morning, Noon, and Night”.
- Member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority.
- Discovered young Mindy Cohn for The Facts of Life (1979) show while Rae and the TV show were at an all-girls school preparing for research and casting. Rae was instrumental in getting young student Cohn cast.
- Middle daughter of three musical girls. Older sister Beverly, an opera singer, died of cancer a few years ago. Younger sister Mimi is a musician and composer.
- Created the role of Mammy Yokum in the Broadway musical “Lil’ Abner”.
- Starred in “Pippin” at the New Jersey Paper Mill Playhouse.
- Charlotte divorced her husband, composer John Strauss, before starting Diff’rent Strokes (1978). Her youngest son, Larry Strauss, is a South Central Los Angeles school teacher and a writer. He helped write her memoir “The Facts of My Life” (2015) where she revealed that the reason that her marriage ended in divorce was because her husband came out as bisexual and wanted to have an open marriage. She didn’t want that kind of marriage but remained friends with him and his new partner artist Lionel Friedman until both their deaths from Parkinson’s disease.
- Attended Northwestern University (Evanston, IL).
- Knew Jeffrey Hunter through their work in local theater as teenagers.
Charlotte Rae Filmography
| Title | Year | Status | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricki and the Flash | 2015 | Oma | Actress | |
| Girl Meets World | 2014 | TV Series | Gammy Hart | Actress |
| Love Sick Love | 2012 | Edna | Actress | |
| Pretty Little Liars | 2011 | TV Series | Bead Boutique Owner | Actress |
| Red Dead Redemption | 2010 | Video Game | The Local Population (voice) | Actress |
| Life | 2009 | TV Series | Mary Ford | Actress |
| ER | 2008 | TV Series | Roxanne Gaines | Actress |
| Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage | 2008 | Vesta | Actress | |
| You Don’t Mess with the Zohan | 2008 | Mrs. Greenhouse | Actress | |
| The King of Queens | 2005 | TV Series | Betty | Actress |
| Strong Medicine | 2004 | TV Series | Maude | Actress |
| The Wonderful World of Disney | 2001 | TV Series | Mrs. Edna Garrett | Actress |
| The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas! | 2000 | Video | Mrs. Caruthers (voice) | Actress |
| Diagnosis Murder | 2000 | TV Series | Estelle | Actress |
| Another Woman’s Husband | 2000 | TV Movie | Stella | Actress |
| Crime in Connecticut: The Story of Alex Kelly | 1999 | TV Movie | Actress | |
| The Brothers Flub | 1999 | TV Series | Tarara Boomdeyay | Actress |
| 101 Dalmatians: The Series | 1997-1998 | TV Series | Nanny | Actress |
| Nowhere | 1997 | Fortune Teller | Actress | |
| The Secret World of Alex Mack | 1996 | TV Series | Dave’s Mother | Actress |
| Can’t Hurry Love | 1995 | TV Series | Helen | Actress |
| Sisters | 1994-1995 | TV Series | Mrs. Gump | Actress |
| The Itsy Bitsy Spider | 1994-1995 | TV Series | Adrienne | Actress |
| Mickey: Reelin’ Through the Years | 1995 | TV Movie | Actress | |
| Thunder in Paradise | 1994 | TV Series | Lola | Actress |
| Thunder in Paradise | 1993 | Video | Lola Miller | Actress |
| Tom and Jerry: The Movie | 1992 | Aunt Pristine Figg (voice) | Actress | |
| Baby Talk | 1991 | TV Series | Aunt Beverly | Actress |
| 227 | 1989 | TV Series | Millie McMillan | Actress |
| Save the Dog! | 1988 | TV Movie | Actress | |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1987 | TV Series | Nettie Harper | Actress |
| St. Elsewhere | 1987 | TV Series | Proud Mary | Actress |
| The Worst Witch | 1986 | TV Movie | Miss Cackle Agatha Cackle |
Actress |
| The Facts of Life | 1979-1986 | TV Series | Edna Garrett | Actress |
| Noah’s Ark | 1986 | Video short | Noah’s Wife (voice) | Actress |
| Words by Heart | 1985 | TV Movie | Mary Tom Chism | Actress |
| The Love Boat | 1982-1985 | TV Series | Ellen van Bowe / Milly Brown / Louise Peters | Actress |
| Diff’rent Strokes | 1978-1984 | TV Series | Edna Garrett | Actress |
| The Facts of Life Goes to Paris | 1982 | TV Movie | Edna Garrett | Actress |
| Hello, Larry | 1979 | TV Series | Edna Garrett | Actress |
| Beane’s of Boston | 1979 | TV Movie | Mae Slocombe | Actress |
| Hair | 1979 | Lady in Pink | Actress | |
| The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal | 1979 | TV Movie | Bessie | Actress |
| Flying High | 1979 | TV Series | Woman | Actress |
| The Eddie Capra Mysteries | 1978 | TV Series | Polly | Actress |
| Family | 1978 | TV Series | Nurse Rondo | Actress |
| Rabbit Test | 1978 | Cousin Claire | Actress | |
| Szysznyk | 1978 | TV Series | Mrs. Dinsmore | Actress |
| Sidewinder 1 | 1977 | Mrs. Holt | Actress | |
| Our Town | 1977 | TV Movie | Mrs. Soames | Actress |
| All’s Fair | 1976 | TV Series | Madge | Actress |
| The Rich Little Show | 1976 | TV Series | Regular | Actress |
| Barney Miller | 1976 | TV Series | Mrs. Rebecca Sobel | Actress |
| Phyllis | 1975 | TV Series | Shirley | Actress |
| Hot L Baltimore | 1975 | TV Series | Mrs. Bellotti | Actress |
| Queen of the Stardust Ballroom | 1975 | TV Movie | Helen | Actress |
| Good Times | 1974 | TV Series | Ms. Rogers | Actress |
| All in the Family | 1974 | TV Series | Lillian Henderson | Actress |
| Great Performances | 1974 | TV Series | Madame Aigreville | Actress |
| The Paul Lynde Show | 1972 | TV Series | Aunt Charlotte / Charlotte | Actress |
| Love, American Style | 1972 | TV Series | Edna Albertson (segment “Love and the Clinic”) | Actress |
| McMillan & Wife | 1972 | TV Series | Mrs. Drake | Actress |
| The Partridge Family | 1972 | TV Series | Dr. Beecher | Actress |
| The New Temperatures Rising Show | 1972 | TV Series | Mrs. Moscowitz | Actress |
| Sesame Street | 1971-1972 | TV Series | Molly the Mail Lady | Actress |
| The Hot Rock | 1972 | Ma Murch | Actress | |
| Bananas | 1971 | Mrs. Mellish | Actress | |
| NET Playhouse | 1970 | TV Series segment “Foul!” – Foul!/Actor’s Choice 1970 … segment “Foul!” | Actress | |
| Jenny | 1970 | Bella Star | Actress | |
| New York Television Theatre | 1966-1969 | TV Series segment: “The Immovable Gordons” – Foul! 1969 | Actress | |
| Hello Down There | 1969 | Myrtle Ruth | Actress | |
| Pinocchio | 1968 | TV Movie | Rosa Whale | Actress |
| The Journey of the Fifth Horse | 1966 | TV Movie | Terentievna | Actress |
| The Defenders | 1964 | TV Series | Mrs. Abeles | Actress |
| The DuPont Show of the Week | 1963 | TV Series | Mona Brinkman | Actress |
| Look Up and Live | 1963 | TV Series | Actress | |
| Car 54, Where Are You? | 1961-1963 | TV Series | Sylvia Schnauser / Miss Berger | Actress |
| ‘Way Out | 1961 | TV Series | Hazel Atterbury | Actress |
| Play of the Week | 1959 | TV Series | The Angel Rochele | Actress |
| The World of Sholom Aleichem | 1959 | TV Movie | Actress | |
| The Phil Silvers Show | 1955-1958 | TV Series | Flossie / Mrs. Whitney | Actress |
| The DuPont Show of the Month | 1958 | TV Series | Myrtle May | Actress |
| From These Roots | 1958 | TV Series | Hilda Furman (1961) | Actress |
| The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse | 1955 | TV Series | Actress | |
| Appointment with Adventure | 1955 | TV Series | Beverly | Actress |
| NBC Television Opera Theatre | 1955 | TV Series | Mariella | Actress |
| Ponds Theater | 1955 | TV Series | Actress | |
| Armstrong Circle Theatre | 1954 | TV Series | Mrs. Ogburn / Party Snob | Actress |
| The United States Steel Hour | 1954 | TV Series | Ramona | Actress |
| Art School Confidential | 2006 | performer: “Facts of Life – Theme” | Soundtrack | |
| Tom and Jerry: The Movie | 1992 | performer: “Money Is Such A Beautiful Word” | Soundtrack | |
| The Worst Witch | 1986 | TV Movie performer: “Queen Aggie’s School” | Soundtrack | |
| The Facts of Life | 1979 | TV Series performer – 1 episode | Soundtrack | |
| OT: Our Town | 2002 | Documentary special thanks | Thanks | |
| Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age | 2017 | Documentary post-production | Herself | Self |
| Between the Lines | 2016 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| Home & Family | 2016 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You | 2016 | Documentary | Herself | Self |
| WGN Morning News | 2015 | TV Series | Herself – Phone Interview | Self |
| Greenwich Village: A World Apart | 2015 | Documentary short | Herself | Self |
| Access Hollywood Live | 2015 | TV Series | Herself – Author, The Facts of My Life | Self |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2007-2015 | TV Series | Herself / Herself – Author, The Facts of My Life | Self |
| She’s The Best Thing In It | 2015 | Documentary | Herself | Self |
| Good Morning America | 2011-2014 | TV Series | Herself – Guest | Self |
| Teens Wanna Know | 2013 | TV Series | Herself – Guest | Self |
| The 2012 Annual Actors Fund Gala Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself | Self |
| The 9th Annual TV Land Awards | 2011 | TV Special | Herself | Self |
| Totally Tracked Down | 2010 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| Biography | 2000-2010 | TV Series documentary | Herself | Self |
| The 2nd Annual TV Land Awards | 2004 | TV Special | Herself | Self |
| E! Mysteries & Scandals | 2001 | TV Series documentary | Herself | Self |
| Intimate Portrait | 2001 | TV Series documentary | Herself | Self |
| Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals 5 | 2000 | TV Movie documentary | Herself | Self |
| TV Guide’s Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals 2 | 2000 | TV Movie documentary | Herself | Self |
| E! True Hollywood Story | 1998-1999 | TV Series documentary | Herself | Self |
| NY TV: By the People Who Made It – Part I & II | 1998 | TV Movie documentary | Herself | Self |
| The New Hollywood Squares | 1986-1989 | TV Series | Herself – Panelist | Self |
| Star’s Table | 1986 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration | 1986 | TV Special documentary | Herself | Self |
| The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1985 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Self |
| The NBC All Star Hour | 1985 | TV Movie | Herself | Self |
| Night of 100 Stars II | 1985 | TV Movie | Herself | Self |
| Star Search | 1984 | TV Series | Herself – Introducer | Self |
| One to Grow On | 1982 | TV Series short | Herself | Self |
| The 34th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1982 | TV Special | Herself – Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Self |
| Broadway Plays Washington on Kennedy Center Tonight | 1982 | TV Movie | Herself | Self |
| Night of 100 Stars | 1982 | TV Special | Herself | Self |
| The Way They Were | 1981 | TV Special | Self | |
| Bob Hope’s All-Star Look at TV’s Prime Time Wars | 1980 | Herself | Self | |
| The Hollywood Squares | 1979-1980 | TV Series | Herself – Panelist | Self |
| The Mike Douglas Show | 1980 | TV Series | Herself – Comic Actress | Self |
| A Different Approach | 1978 | Short | Herself | Self |
| The Paul Ryan Show | 1977 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| Dinah! | 1976-1977 | TV Series | Herself – Guest | Self |
| The Rich Little Show | 1976 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Joan Rivers Show | 1969 | TV Series | Herself – Guest | Self |
| The 23rd Annual Tony Awards | 1969 | TV Special | Herself | Self |
| Girl Talk | 1963-1967 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1956-1966 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Garry Moore Show | 1964 | TV Series | Herself – Guest Appearance | Self |
| Camera Three | 1961 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Jack Paar Tonight Show | 1957-1958 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Martha Raye Show | 1955 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Blue Angel | 1954 | TV Series | Herself | Self |
| The Colgate Comedy Hour | 1954 | TV Series | Herself – Comic Actress | Self |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2015 | TV Series | Herself | Archive Footage |
Charlotte Rae Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | The Facts of Life (1979) | Won |
| 1975 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Special | Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) | Won |
| 1982 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | The Facts of Life (1979) | Nominated |
| 1975 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Special | Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) | Nominated |
