ATWT Actor Keith Charles 1934-2008

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Keith Charles, a veteran Broadway and Off-Broadway actor, died at his home in New York City on July 1 at the age of 74. The cause was lung cancer.

At home in both musicals and straight plays, he starred opposite Lauren Bacall and later, Anne Baxter, in the Broadway musical "Applause" and Holland Taylor in "Breakfast with Les and Bess." He also appeared in "Celebration" and "Happy Birthday, Wanda June."

After graduating from the University of Texas and serving in the U.S. Army, he came to New York in 1959 to pursue an acting career. His first job was taking over the part of El Gallo in the long-running Off-Broadway musical "The Fantasticks."

He guest-starred in numerous television series and had contract roles on eight daytime soap operas, including "Ryan's Hope" and "As the World Turns."

He is survived by Nancy Ford, his wife of forty-four years, whom he met when she was the pianist for the "The Fantasticks." He also leaves a sister, Margaret Charles Stubbs of Columbia, South Carolina, numerous adoring nephews and nieces, and a wide circle of friends and neighbors who will sorely miss his warmth and humor. Memorial donations may be made to The Actors' Fund of America