J. Karen Thomas ( â€" March , ) was an American actress, singer, and
voice artist. Her numerous television credits included her role as
Audrey Carlisle on the dramatic television series, Nashville. Other
television roles included recurring roles and guest appearances on
Drop Dead Diva, The Ellen Show and Criminal Minds. Thomas' cinematic
credits included The Identical (), Captive (), and a co-starring role
in the film, Boulevard, which was shot in her native Nashville,
opposite Robin Williams.Thomas was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and
graduated from Memphis State University, now known as the University
of Memphis. During the mid to late 's, she was the midday DJ at
popular Nashville radio station WYHY, Y (now WRVW, . The River). She
was a valuable member the Nashville theater community. In , Thomas won
the Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Shug
Avery in The Color Purple. She also released two albums during her
career.J. Karen Thomas was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January
. Thomas died from the disease on March , , at the age of . She is
survived by her partner of years, Colette Divine.
voice artist. Her numerous television credits included her role as
Audrey Carlisle on the dramatic television series, Nashville. Other
television roles included recurring roles and guest appearances on
Drop Dead Diva, The Ellen Show and Criminal Minds. Thomas' cinematic
credits included The Identical (), Captive (), and a co-starring role
in the film, Boulevard, which was shot in her native Nashville,
opposite Robin Williams.Thomas was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and
graduated from Memphis State University, now known as the University
of Memphis. During the mid to late 's, she was the midday DJ at
popular Nashville radio station WYHY, Y (now WRVW, . The River). She
was a valuable member the Nashville theater community. In , Thomas won
the Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Shug
Avery in The Color Purple. She also released two albums during her
career.J. Karen Thomas was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January
. Thomas died from the disease on March , , at the age of . She is
survived by her partner of years, Colette Divine.
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