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'West Side Story' Actress Carole D'Andrea Dies at 87

'West Side Story' actress Carole D'Andrea died at the age of 87 on Tuesday, March 11. The performer originated the role of Velma in the 1957 Broadway production before reprising the role in the 1961 movie musical adaptation.

“It was a privilege to be by her side as she passed, and to witness in these last few weeks the grace and courage in which she carried herself as she prepared to, as our Godfather put it, ‘exit stage left’,” they added. However, per The Hollywood Reporter, Greg Lawrence’s 2001 book, Dance With Demons: The Life of Jerome Robbins claims D’Andrea was replaced at the last minute by Lane Bradbury. Alongside Tommy Abbott, William Bramley, Tony Mordente, Jay Norman, and David Winters, D'Andrea is the one of the only six actors to appear in both the original Broadway production and film adaptation, according to IMDb.

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