Diahann Carroll, whose 1968 starring roles in the series Julia ushered in a new generation of black characters on television died Friday in her Los Angeles home at the age of 84.
Her list of accomplishments include an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (1975) and an Academy Award nomination for the film Claudine, a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the play No Strings (1962), and a Golden Globe Award for Best TV Star for Julia (1969).
The groundbreaking situation comedy Julia aired from 1968 to 1971 and featured Carroll as Julia Baker, a nurse whose husband had been killed in Vietnam. Carroll’s role marked the first time a black woman starred on television is a role other than a servant.
Carroll took her craft to the next level during her turn as Dominique Deveraux on ABC’s primetime soap opera, Dynasty (1984-1987), the drama centered around the trials and tribulations of filthy rich families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, in Denver, Colorado.
Born Carol Diann Johnson in New York City, Carroll’s career started her career at the age of 16, changing her name to Diahann Carroll and began modeling, singing in nightclubs, and ding radio performances, ultimately leading to her first acting role in 1954’s Broadway play, The House of Flowers.
Carroll’s daughter, Susan Kay, confirmed to The Associated Press that her Carroll died early Friday following a battle with breast cancer.
