Carol Mayo Jenkins
Biography
Biography
Carol Mayo Jenkins was born on 24th November 1938 under the sign of Sagittarius. Sagittarians have been described as optimistic, restless, progressive and adventurous.
Carol Mayo Jenkins was born on 24th November 1938 under the sign of Sagittarius. Sagittarians have been described as optimistic, restless, progressive and adventurous.
Carol was born and raised in Knoxville Tennessee by her parents Dr Harry Jenkins and Varina Mayo Jenkins.
Carol was born and raised in Knoxville Tennessee by her parents Dr Harry Jenkins and Varina Mayo Jenkins.
Starting out as a dancer Carol soon realised that acting was where her heart lay: “I guess I always wanted to perform and I wanted to be a great actress”.
Starting out as a dancer Carol soon realised that acting was where her heart lay: “I guess I always wanted to perform and I wanted to be a great actress”.
Aged 18 Carol moved to the U.K. for 6 years and studied acting at Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Aged 18 Carol moved to the U.K. for 6 years and studied acting at Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Returning to America Carol started making regular appearances in various Theatre productions that were staged around the Country.
Returning to America Carol started making regular appearances in various Theatre productions that were staged around the Country.
Eventually Carol made her Broadway debut in 1969 as Natasha in William Ball’s production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters at the Anta Theatre.
Eventually Carol made her Broadway debut in 1969 as Natasha in William Ball’s production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters at the Anta Theatre.
In 1977 she moved to television and appeared in the day time Soap Opera “Another World”.
In 1977 she moved to television and appeared in the day time Soap Opera “Another World”.
In 1981 she was playing a teacher in a play in New York and that led to getting the audition for “Fame”.
In 1981 she was playing a teacher in a play in New York and that led to getting the audition for “Fame”.
After an initial audition she was called back. “I went and read a scene with Gene Anthony Ray. The first time I’d ever met him. It was wonderful. He was... , He was spectacular and he made it easy and fun and we had a good time, and I think that’s how I got the role.”
After an initial audition she was called back. “I went and read a scene with Gene Anthony Ray. The first time I’d ever met him. It was wonderful. He was... , He was spectacular and he made it easy and fun and we had a good time, and I think that’s how I got the role.”
Carol played firm but fair English Teacher Elizabeth Sherwood for 5 seasons from 1982 to 1986 starring in 95 episodes and then returning for the final episode in 1987 making it 96 episode appearances in total.
Carol played firm but fair English Teacher Elizabeth Sherwood for 5 seasons from 1982 to 1986 starring in 95 episodes and then returning for the final episode in 1987 making it 96 episode appearances in total.
Carol stated: “A lot of Elizabeth Sherwood is me. We’re not very different. We’re not very different at all!”
Carol stated: “A lot of Elizabeth Sherwood is me. We’re not very different. We’re not very different at all!”
Referring to “Fame” as her fifteen minutes of fame, Carol said “It’s a wonderful memory and I wouldn’t have missed it for the World. It was a great chapter in my life.”
Referring to “Fame” as her fifteen minutes of fame, Carol said “It’s a wonderful memory and I wouldn’t have missed it for the World. It was a great chapter in my life.”
After “Fame” she continued appearing in TV shows like Models Inc, Matlock and Max Headroom whilst also returning to the Theatre.
After “Fame” she continued appearing in TV shows like Models Inc, Matlock and Max Headroom whilst also returning to the Theatre.
In 2000, after a long and distinguished acting career, she decided to return home to Knoxville to care for her Mother, until she died in February 2018 aged 102.
In 2000, after a long and distinguished acting career, she decided to return home to Knoxville to care for her Mother, until she died in February 2018 aged 102.
Carol also took a job as an artist in residence at the University of Tennessee teaching acting, where She also frequently appears on stage at the Clarence Brown Theatre.
Carol also took a job as an artist in residence at the University of Tennessee teaching acting, where She also frequently appears on stage at the Clarence Brown Theatre.
To know that our (Fame) stories did make a difference in so many lives, all over the World makes me very grateful.”
To know that our (Fame) stories did make a difference in so many lives, all over the World makes me very grateful.”
“Fame was about something important. It was about young people daring to dream and daring to follow their dreams and because you the fans understand and support that it means you’re very special people and we are so grateful to have you in our lives.”
“Fame was about something important. It was about young people daring to dream and daring to follow their dreams and because you the fans understand and support that it means you’re very special people and we are so grateful to have you in our lives.”
In 2008 Carol Reunited with her Fame Co-stars for the Bring Back Fame TV Special. Having agreed to join the Fame U.K. Reunion in 2019 she was gutted to discover that it clashed with a play she had already agreed to do. She recorded a special piece, where she got to recite Debbie Allen's "You Want Fame..." Speech for the opening of the concerts and did an exclusive Q&A for the Fame Family Experience Convention.
In 2008 Carol Reunited with her Fame Co-stars for the Bring Back Fame TV Special. Having agreed to join the Fame U.K. Reunion in 2019 she was gutted to discover that it clashed with a play she had already agreed to do. She recorded a special piece, where she got to recite Debbie Allen's "You Want Fame..." Speech for the opening of the concerts and did an exclusive Q&A for the Fame Family Experience Convention.
In October 2019 joined some her fellow cast mates at The Chiller Theatre Convention in Parsippany, signing autograph and meeting fans.
In October 2019 joined some her fellow cast mates at The Chiller Theatre Convention in Parsippany, signing autograph and meeting fans.
At Christmas 2020 Carol featured in a story telling of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory", to raise funds for the University of Tennessee.
At Christmas 2020 Carol featured in a story telling of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory", to raise funds for the University of Tennessee.
In 2022 Carol was due to retire and was going to join Fame UK Reunion. However, she was convinced to stay on Teaching and unfortunately her work commitments stopped her from appearing at the Reunion.
Autograph
Autograph
Memorabilia
Memorabilia
MGM Biography
MGM Biography
Click Pages to Enlarge
Written Articles and Interviews
Written Articles and Interviews
Poem
Poem
Film and TV Roles
Film and TV Roles
Don't Ask Me Ask God 1983
Everything You Need Promo 2011
LINKS
LINKS
