Diahann Carroll

Diahann Carroll, born as Carol Diann Johnson on July 17, 1935, was a remarkable American actress, singer, model, and activist. Carroll made notable appearances on TV, stage, and cinema screens, garnering numerous nominations and awards throughout her career. She was a recipient of accolades like a Tony Award in 1962, a Golden Globe Award in 1968, and had five Emmy Award nominations. She rose to fame through her roles in major studio films, notable among them being the classic movie musicals Carmen Jones (1954) and Porgy and Bess (1959). Her performance in the romantic comedy-drama film Claudine (1974) earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress nomination.

Towards the late 50s and early 60s, Carroll broke barriers becoming the first black woman to be cast in a non-stereotypical role in the American TV series Julia (1968-1971). She made her Broadway debut in 1954 and later went on to become the first African-American woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the musical No Strings (1962). Carroll was also known for her roles in shows like Grey's Anatomy, Naked City, and A Different World. Though Carroll saw success in her career, she battled breast cancer since 1997. Despite her battle with the illness, Carroll continued to work and advocate for early detection and prevention of the disease. She passed away on October 4, 2019.