Date of Birth: July 17, 1935
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: October 4, 2019
Biography
Diahann Carroll was an American actress, singer, and model who broke racial barriers and paved the way for African-Americans in the entertainment industry. Born Carol Diann Johnson in The Bronx, New York City, she was the daughter of John Johnson, a subway conductor, and Mabel Faulk, a nurse. Her career spanned over six decades, during which she achieved critical acclaim and numerous awards. Carroll first gained recognition on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in “No Strings” in 1962. She made history as the first African-American woman to star in her own television series, “Julia,” which aired from 1968 to 1971. The show was groundbreaking as it portrayed Carroll as a professional woman and single mother, challenging the stereotypical roles available to African-American actresses at the time. In addition to her television work, Carroll had a successful film career, appearing in movies such as “Carmen Jones” (1954), “Porgy and Bess” (1959), and “Claudine” (1974), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also had notable roles in television series such as “Dynasty” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” Beyond her acting, Carroll was a trailblazer for civil rights and was involved in various philanthropic efforts. She was a strong advocate for cancer research, particularly breast cancer, having battled the disease herself.
5 Interesting Facts about Diahann Carroll
1. Diahann Carroll was the first African-American woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
2. She made television history by starring in “Julia,” the first TV series to feature an African-American woman in a non-stereotypical role.
3. Carroll was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in “Claudine” in 1974.
4. She was a breast cancer survivor and dedicated much of her later life to raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
5. Carroll was married four times and had a high-profile relationship with actor Sidney Poitier.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Diahann Carroll
1. “I like to think I opened doors for other women, although that wasn’t my original intention.”
2. “I was the first black woman seen in many homes in America. That was a very important breakthrough.”
3. “I hope that I have accomplished things that are real and not just entertaining.”
4. “We all look for a hero in life, someone who can show us how to be better, stronger, more courageous.”
5. “I never understood why being black was such a big deal. It was like saying I was born with three arms or something.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Diahann Carroll achieved a net worth estimated at $28 million.
Children
Diahann Carroll had one child, a daughter named Suzanne Kay Bamford, born in 1960 from her marriage to Monte Kay.
Relevant Links
1. [Diahann Carroll – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001986/
2. [Diahann Carroll – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diahann_Carroll
3. [Diahann Carroll – Biography](https://www.biography.com/actor/diahann-carroll
4. [Diahann Carroll – Tony Awards](https://www.tonyawards.com/tonys/diahann-carroll/
