Carol Swiedler (Stage name Carol Richards or Carole Richards), (born 6 June 1922 in Harvard, Illinois, died in Vero Beach, Florida, March 16, 2007) was an American singer, radio and television performer, remembered for her duet with Bing Crosby on the hit single "Silver Bells".At the start of her career in her early 20s, Carol Richards won a Bob Hope talent contest, moved to Hollywood and appeared on numerous TV shows including I Love Lucy, Name That Tune, The Saturday Night Review, and variety shows hosted by Ralph Edwards, Dennis Day, Pinky Lee, Edgar Bergen, and Ezio Pinza. For four years (1953–1957), she was a regular cast member on the Bob Crosby Show. She was the movie singing voice for Vera Ellen in Call Me Madam, for Cyd Charisse in Silk Stockings, Brigadoon, Deep in my Heart, and It's Always Fair Weather, and for Betta St. John in The Robe. She worked frequently with Danny Kaye, Jerry Lewis, and Bob Hope, and sang with the Russ Morgan and Desi Arnaz Bands. In the 1960s after moving to Chicago, Richards performed at numerous club dates, and appeared frequently on Don McNeil's famous radio show, The Breakfast Club.Following her performing career, Richards continued her work as an artist, completing numerous sculptures, pastels, and oil paintings as well as publishing a book Letters from the Cosmos with her husband.Richards had 13 children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was survived by her husband of 40 years, Edward B. Swiedler who died of lung cancer on August 9, 2007.
Was a regular performer along with singer Paula Kelly (of "Modernaires" fame) and shapely blonde actress/singer Joan O'Brien on the daytime variety show The Bob Crosby Show (1953) for four seasons.
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Vivacious 50s singer and recording artist who won a Bob Hope-sponsored talent contest in the early 40s.
Best remembered for her classic recording duet with Bing Crosby of the annual Christmas song "Silver Bells" (1952). A different duet version was also featured in the Bob Hope comedy The Lemon Drop Kid (1951) that paired Hope and Marilyn Maxwell, but Crosby and Richards' magical pairing is the definitive one.
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Moved to Chicago in the 1960s to raise a family, but performed occasionally in nightclubs and on radio programs.
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Was married five times, marrying fifth husband Edward Sweidler after moving to the Boston area in the 1960s. They co-authored the book "Letters from the Cosmos".
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Her first marriage occurred at age 16, and for a time she was known as Carol Lutzhoff, not the best sounding name for show business. She changed her last name to Richards in honor of a favorite nephew.
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She began performing at age 4 but, within a couple of years her mother thought she was acting "like a diva", and wouldn't let her take the stage again until she was 11.
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Succumbed to heart disease and kidney failure.
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Was one of four children of George and Martha Vosburgh.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Ryan's Hope
1976
TV Series
Mary Ryan
The Women of Pitcairn Island
1956
Title Theme Singer (voice)
The Edge of Night
1956
TV Series
Rosella Gray (1970-1971)
It's Always Fair Weather
1955
Jackie Leighton (singing voice, uncredited)
The Saturday Night Revue
1954
TV Series
Singing: 'temptation'
I Love Lucy
1953
TV Series
Juanita
The Ezio Pinza Show
1951
TV Series
Marion (1953-1954)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Avalon
1990
performer: "Silver Bells"
Silk Stockings
1957
performer: "Paris Loves Lovers", "It's a Chemical Reaction that's all", "Without Love" - uncredited
MGM Parade
1955
TV Series performer - 1 episode
It's Always Fair Weather
1955
performer: "Baby, You Knock Me Out" 1955 - uncredited
The Easter Seal Teleparade of Stars
1955
TV Special performer: "Tweedlee Dee"
Deep in My Heart
1954
performer: "One Alone"
Brigadoon
1954
performer: "Waiting for My Dearie", "I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean" reprise, "The Heather on the Hill" reprise, "Waitin' for My Dearie" reprise - uncredited
Call Me Madam
1953
performer: "It's a Lovely Day Today", "The Ocarina", "Something To Dance About", "Finale: You're Just In Love/Something to Dance About"
The Petty Girl
1950
performer: "Fancy Free", "Calypso Song", "I Loves Ya", "The Petty Girl" - uncredited