Joan Roberts

Joan Roberts (July 15, 1917 – August 13, 2012) was an American actress, most famous for creating the role of Laurey in the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! in 1943.

Early years Roberts was born Josephine Rose Seagrist She studied singing with Estelle Liebling, the teacher of Beverly Sills, in her youth.

Career Radio Roberts was a regular on The Texaco Summer Theater on CBS July 4 - December 5, 1943. The program was a summer replacement for The Fred Allen Show but was extended when Allen did not return as scheduled.

Stage Sunny River was Roberts' first Broadway production. She played Madeleine Caresse December 4, 1941 - January 3, 1942. Later in 1942 she played in Hit the Deck with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. In 2011 the University of North Carolina's School of the Arts mounted a production of Oklahoma! that replicated the original Broadway staging of the show. Roberts and Celeste Holm both attended that production and were present at an event honoring the two actresses.

In 1977 on the Series Emergency! S6 E15 “Breakdown”, she made an appearance as Jane.

Personal life Roberts was married to Dr. John J. Donlon, who died in 1965. They had a son, John J. Donlon, Jr.

Celeste Holm, who played Ado Annie in the same original production of Oklahoma!, had died only a month before, also at age 95.