Background
Carson was born in New York City and grew up in the Westchester section of the Bronx, graduating from James Monroe High School.
Carson was born in New York City and grew up in the Westchester section of the Bronx, graduating from James Monroe High School.
After graduation, she took a position as typist and stenographer, and she worked at a candy company. This gave her a chance to perform for eight months in 1947 with Paul Whiteman"s band and singer Martha Tilton, stars of the program She joined the singing bandleader Harry Cool that year and made a number of recordings with him, one of which, "Rumors Are Flying," made the charts.
Although she failed to score with a chart hit recording during the next four years, she did receive much radio exposure.
She was heard on Guy Lombardo"s syndicated program in the late 1940s and her own variety program which began on the Columbia Broadcasting System Network in 1949. She also had her own thrice weekly program, sponsored by the United States. Army, in 1950.
She was widely promoted as one of the guests on the November 5, 1950 premiere of National Broadcasting Company"s The Big Show, hosted by Tallulah Bankhead. In 1958, she appeared on in The Body Beautiful by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, their first musical collaboration.
Carson returned to in the 1960s in two comedies, Mary, Mary (1961-1964) and Dinner at Eight (1966-1967).
In 1949, Carson became the youngest performer to receive top billing at New York City"s Copacabana nightclub. She also performed at clubs in New Orleans, Baltimore, and other cities.