Nell Carter was an American actress and singer. She starred in Gimme a Break and appeared in films such as Back Roads alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field, Modern Problems, Maid For Each Other, and Follow Your Heart. Carter also had a recurring role in the sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and guest-appeared on Baryshnikov on Broadway. She joined the Manhattan Theatre Club presentation of Ain't Misbehavin' in 1977, a collection of the works of Fats Waller.