Carole D’Andrea dead at 87: West Side Story star who played Velma passes away as family speak out

By JUSTIN ENRIQUEZ FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 16:52 GMT, 19 March 2025 | Updated: 16:52 GMT, 19 March 2025

Carole D’Andrea – who famously portrayed Velma in West Side Story – has passed away at 87.

News that the talented star of stage and screen had passed was revealed by her devastated family on Instagram as they spoke out about the loss and even revealed her cause of death.

Her three daughters took to the star’s social media page to write: ‘Dear Facebook/ Instagram friends of Carole D’Andrea, This is @andreadoven , @robinmorse708, & Hilary @hilaryhigh , Carole’s daughters. 

‘We are writing to let you know that our beloved mother passed away peacefully at home this past Tuesday, March 11th due to heart failure.’

The three daughters – Andre Doven, 63, Robin Morse, 61, and Hilary Morse, 59 – who are all actresses in their own right went on to talk about their mother’s final days.

They wrote: ‘It was a privilege to be by her side as she passed, and to witness in these last few weeks the grace and courage in which she carried herself as she prepared to, as our Godfather put it, “exit stage left.”

Carole D’Andrea – who famously portrayed Velma in West Side Story – has passed away at 87; the actress is pictured in Hollywood back in October 2002

 The trio concluded by revealing that the day their mother passed was a milestone day.

They concluded: ‘She also died on her 44th AA sobriety anniversary, which she said was “the day that I changed my life.”

‘She told us many times in her last few days what a quality life she led as a mother, grandmother, performer, and teacher.’

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Carole D’Andrea dead at 87: West Side Story star who played Velma passes away as family speak out

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