(1935-2019)

Who Was Diahann Carroll?

Diahann Carroll made a number of films during her career and was nominated for an Academy Award for Claudine in 1974. It wasn't until she was cast as the lead in Julia in 1968, however, that Carroll became a bona fide celebrity. The role made her the first African-American woman to star in her own TV series. She was nominated for an Emmy for Julia in 1969 and won the Golden Globe Award in 1968.

Early Life and Career

Actress and singer Carol Diahann Johnson was born on July 17, 1935, in The Bronx, New York. She attended Manhattan's School of Performing Arts and worked as a nightclub singer and model before making her Broadway debut in The House of Flowers in 1954. That year, she also made her film debut alongside Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones.

Acting Career

Carroll made a number of films during her career and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in Claudine in 1974. She starred in No Strings (1962) and also appeared in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979). It wasn't until she was cast as the lead in Julia in 1968, however, that Carroll became a bona fide celebrity. The role made her the first African-American woman to star in her own television series. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for Julia in 1969 and won the Golden Globe Award in 1968.

Carroll was also well known for her role as jet setter Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty from the 1980s. She received her third Emmy nomination in 1989 for her role on A Different World. Most recently, Carroll has made recurring guest appearances on the hit dramedy Grey's Anatomy.

Death

Carroll passed away on October 4, 2019, in Los Angeles, California after a long battle against cancer.

Personal Life

Carroll has been married four times, including a relationship with singer Vic Damone.

QUICK FACTS

Name: Diahann Carroll
Birth Year: 1935
Birth date: July 17, 1935
Birth State: New York
Birth City: New York
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Female
Best Known For: Diahann Carroll was an actress of stage, screen and TV known for her show 'Julia' and films such as 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.'
Industries

Music
Television
Drama
Theater and Dance

Astrological Sign: Cancer
Schools

School of Performing Arts

Interesting Facts

Diahann Carroll was the first African American actress to star in her own sitcom where she did not play a domestic worker. In 1968, she won a Golden Globe Award for her role on Julia.

Death Year: 2019
Death date: October 4, 2019
Death State: California
Death City: Los Angeles
Death Country: United States