Diahann Carroll, the Oscar-nominated actress and singer who won an award as the first black woman to star in a non-servant role in a TV series as “Julia,” has died. She was 84.
According to the CBS News Carroll’s daughter, Suzanne Kay, said her mother died Friday morning in Los Angeles after battling cancer. Carroll’s publicist, Jeffrey Lane, said she had breast cancer.
Her publicist, Jeffrey Lane, said the cause was complications of breast cancer. Ms. Carroll had survived the cancer in the 1990s and become a public advocate for screening and treatment.
Suzanne wrote on her twitter:
“We are sad to say goodbye to a true icon, Carroll.
“The first African-American of Tony winner in a leading role, winning for her performance in No Strings in 1962. #DiahannCarroll,”
Carroll, who made her Broadway debut at age 19 in the Harold Arlen musical “House of Flowers,” was best known for her pioneering work on ‘Julia.’
Carroll played Julia Baker, a nurse whose husband had been killed in Vietnam in the groundbreaking situation comedy that aired from 1968 to 1971.
Read also: Wrong diagnosis killed my wife-Oshiomole
Her early recordings include “Porgy and Bess” with the Andre Previn Trio, “Diahann Carroll Sings Harold Arlen,” “Best Beat Forward” and “Showstopper.”
Carroll was married four times (four different men), first was to a talent manager and music producer Monte Kay, second was retailer Fred Glusman, while the third was editor Robert DeLeon and last was singer Vic Damone.
Leave a Reply