Trailblazing Actress Diahann Carroll Dies Of Cancer At 84
The “Julia” star — who was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1997 — was originally from the Bronx and made it big on Broadway.
She won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical in 1962 for her role in “No Strings,” and then got a huge break in Hollywood to star in NBC’s sitcom “Julia,” which was the first network series to have a black actress as the lead character.
Diahann played a widowed nurse who was raising a son. The show premiered in 1968 and ran for 3 seasons — and Diahann earned an Emmy nomination and won a Golden Globe for the role.
Respected and revered for opening doors and eyes in Hollywood — she went on to have big roles in classic shows like “Dynasty,” its spinoff, “The Colbys” and “A Different World.”
She also appeared on “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2006 and starred in the classic film “The Five Heartbeats.”
Diahann’s biggest movie role was as the title character in “Claudine” in 1974 … in which she starred opposite James Earl Jones.
Diahann was married four times. She is also survived by her daughter and 2 grandchildren.
The actress famously exuded class and dignity — she will be terribly missed.
Rest in peace, Ms. Diahann Carroll.
