Biographie

His duet of "Aba Daba Honeymoon" with Debbie Reynolds from their film "Two Weeks With Love," was the very first soundtrack recording to become a No. 1 gold record.

He was the son of Marjorie (Main) and Carleton Upham Carpenter. He resided for decades in Warwick, New York, in a home he owned for many years.

Carpenter was a successful mystery novelist in the 1970s and 1980s. One of his books, Deadhead, was turned into a Broadway musical. Other books he wrote include Games Murderers Play, Cat Got Your Tongue?, Only Her Hairdresser Knew, Sleight of Deadly Hand, The Peabody Experience, and Stumped. His memoir, The Absolute Joy of Work, was published in 2016.

In 2012, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Hollywood film organization Cinecon, which was presented to him in person by his former costar Debbie Reynolds.

At the time of his death, Carleton was the last surviving male actor who appeared in the 1953 Topps trading card set "Who-z-at Star." As of that same date, three actresses from the set were still alive, Ann Blyth, Leslie Caron and Betta St. John. The very popular and still highly sought after 80-card set was produced by the Topps Company.