'LaChanze' (whose name means "one who is charmed") is an African-American
actress,
singer, and
dancer. She attended
The University of the Arts in
Philadelphia. On
September 11,
2001, while she was pregnant with her second child, her husband, Calvin Gooding, worked at Cantor Fitzgerald and was killed in the terrorist attacks on the
World Trade Center. LaChanze has since remarried, to artist
Derek Fordjour. She is the winner of the 2006
Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Celie in the Broadway musical ''
The Color Purple''.
LaChanze has also been credited as La Chanze Sapp, LaChanze Sapp, La Chanze Sapp-Gooding, R. Lachanze Sapp, and Rhonda Sapp.
Notable Television Appearances
★ '' (
2000)
★ ''
Sex and the City'' (
1999)
★ ''
The Cosby Mysteries'' (
1994)
★ ''
The Cosby Show'' (
1988)
Notable Movie Appearances
★ ''
Hercules'' (
1997)
★ ''
David Searching'' (
1997)
★ ''
For Love or Money'' (
1993)
★ ''
Leap of Faith'' (
1992)
Broadway Appearances
★
The Color Purple - [Original, Musical, Drama]
★
Funny Girl - [Revival, Special, Benefit, Concert]
★
Once on This Island - [Original, Revival, Special, Benefit]
★
Ragtime - [Original, Musical, Drama]
★
Company - [Revival, Musical, Drama]
★
Once on This Island - [Original, Musical]
★
Dreamgirls - [Revival, Musical]
★
Uptown...It's Hot! - [Original, Musical, Revue]
Awards & Nominations
★ 2006
Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical (
The Color Purple)
★ 2005 Drama Desk Award Nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (
Dessa Rose)
★ 2001 Drama Desk Award Nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (
Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin)
★ 1991 Tony Award Nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (
Once on This Island)
★ 1991 Drama Desk Award Nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (
Once on This Island)
★ 1991 Theatre World Award Winner (
Once on This Island)
Sources
★
★
★
The Color Purple profile on Internet Broadway Database
★
Official Website
External links
★
LaChanze - ''Downstage Center'' interview at
American Theatre Wing.org
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