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Robert Goulet dies at 73
Singer/actor Robert Goulet , who first rose to fame playing Sir Lancelot in the 1960 Broadway version of the musical "Camelot," has died at the age of 73.
Goulet, who was diagnosed last month with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis, had been awaiting a lung transplant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. "Just watch my vocal cords," the singer told doctors before they inserted a breathing tube, said his wife of 25 years, Vera Goulet, according to the Associated Press.
The singer was transferred on Oct. 13 to the Los Angeles hospital to await the potential transplant, which never came. An Oct. 25 statement on Goulet's website made his condition public.
"Robert Goulet was a popular recording artist and star of stage and television whose talent and affable nature garnered him great success throughout every decade of his career," Neil Portnow, president of The Recording Academy, said in a press statement. "His signature rich, baritone voice will long be remembered as we continue to celebrate his life and his legacy for many years to come. There is one less light shining brightly on Broadway tonight."
Goulet--who over his lifetime acquired a Tony, an Emmy and a Grammy, representing his wide-ranging talent--scored big with Broadway-goers in 1960, stealing scenes from Richard Burton's King Arthur and Julie Andrews' Queen Guenevere in Lerner and Loewe's musical retelling of the Arthurian legends.
After his "Camelot" run ended, Goulet went on to another triumph, earning a Grammy Award as "Best New Artist" for his first two albums, "Always You" and "Two of Us." The singer saw 17 of his albums released between 1962 and 1979 make the charts.
In 1966, Goulet tried his hand at television, starring in an Emmy-winning adaptation of the musical "Brigadoon." The singer also became a popular fixture on "The Ed Sullivan Show," where Sullivan introduced him as the "American baritone from Canada," referencing the Massachusetts-born Goulet's largely Canadian upbringing.
Goulet continued to sing and act well into the '90s, although his last studio album, "After All is Said and Done," appeared in 1976. Goulet made numerous appearances later in life on television shows and in movies, frequently self-mocking ones. His last major role was providing the singing voice of Wheezy the Penguin in 1999's "Toy Story 2."
Goulet married three times: his first to Louise Longmore ended in divorce in 1963; his notable second marriage to singer/actress Carol Lawrence ended acrimoniously in 1981. His final marriage in 1982 to the former Vera Novak took hold.
Besides his wife, Goulet is survived by daughter Nicolette, from his first marriage, sons Christopher and Michael from his second, and two grandchildren.
