If you mean the Broadway stage version, it was Mary Martin.
I know that Juanita Hall played her in the 1958 film version. I'm not sure who played her on Broadway.
Barbra Streisand
Ezio Pinza from the Metropolitan Opera.
Mary Martin played in the televised version of Peter Panin the late 1950.
Leslie Caron
Mary Martin played Ensign Nellie Forbush who was the lead.
Yes, she absolutely did. She played the leading role, Nellie, back in the 80's.
This is a song from South Pacific sung by Nellie Forbush (played by Mary Martin) the female lead. South Pacific was a 1949 Broadway musical. Music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein ll. The basis of the story was from a book by James Michener 'Tales of the South Pacific'. There were nine productions between 1949 and 2009 between Broadway, the London West End and films. It won awards for best musical, best author and best original score
I know that Juanita Hall played her in the 1958 film version. I'm not sure who played her on Broadway.
Allison Arngrim.
Alison Arngrim who played Nellie is still alive, active in the field of entertainment, and involved with charity work.
Nellie Lutcher has: Played herself in "Girl Time" in 1947. Played herself in "Toast of the Town" in 1948. Played herself in "Songs for Sale" in 1950. Played herself in "The Lively Ones" in 1962. Played herself in "Sunny Side Up" in 1994.
Nellie Farron has: Played An Actress in "What He Forgot" in 1915. Played Mrs. Blake in "Mixed Flats" in 1915. Played Ruth in "Shoddy the Tailor" in 1915. Performed in "A Double Role" in 1915. Played Zola in "A Terrible Tragedy" in 1916.
Nellie Olesen was played by Alison Arngrim. I don't know what you mean by the original. Nellie was never replaced in the series. After she married Percival Dalton, they had twins they moved to New York to take over Percival's fathers company after he became sick. After the move, Nellie and Percival didn't come back into the series until the 9th season. Nellie's parents adopted a child named Nancy who acted just like Nellie.
Face of Faith by Nellie McKay
Nellie Ferguson has: Played Ruth in "Driving a Girl to Destruction" in 1911. Played Nurse in "Those Who Love" in 1926. Performed in "Tall Timber" in 1926. Performed in "The Sealed Room" in 1926. Played Ma Dawson in "Thoroughbred" in 1936.
Jerrilyn Flannery has: Played Anne Greer in "I Want You" in 1951. Played Nellie at Age 5 in "Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie" in 1952. Played Jeanne in "My Pal Gus" in 1952. Played Sarah McQuaid in "Medic" in 1954. Played Cindy Lowry in "The Star and the Story" in 1955.