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Who Was Diahann Carroll?
Diahann Carroll was a trailblazing actress and singer, known for breaking barriers in Hollywood. She gained widespread recognition after being nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the 1974 film Claudine. However, it was her starring role in the groundbreaking TV series Julia in 1968 that propelled her to stardom. This role made her the first African-American woman to lead her own television series, for which she won a Golden Globe in 1968 and received an Emmy nomination in 1969.
Early Life and Career
Born Carol Diahann Johnson on July 17, 1935, in The Bronx, New York, Carroll showed early promise in the performing arts. She attended Manhattan’s School of Performing Arts and began her career as a nightclub singer and model. Her Broadway debut came in 1954 with The House of Flowers, and that same year, she appeared in her first film, Carmen Jones, alongside Dorothy Dandridge.
Acting Career
Throughout her career, Carroll appeared in several notable films and television shows. In addition to her Academy Award-nominated performance in Claudine, she starred in the musical No Strings (1962) and the film adaptation of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979). Her role as Julia in Julia was a significant milestone in television history, as it was the first series to feature an African-American woman in a non-stereotypical lead role. Carroll later became known for her glamorous portrayal of Dominique Deveraux in the 1980s soap opera Dynasty. She earned her third Emmy nomination for her role in A Different World (1989) and made guest appearances on Grey’s Anatomy in her later years.
Death
Diahann Carroll passed away on October 4, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, after a long battle with cancer.
Personal Life
Carroll was married four times, including to singer Vic Damone. Her personal life, marked by both public relationships and private challenges, was as eventful as her successful career.