Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 17, 1935 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Diahann Carroll was an American actress, singer, and model who was born on July 17, 1935, in The Bronx, New York City. She was the daughter of John Johnson, a subway conductor, and Mabel Faulk, a nurse. Carroll grew up in Harlem and attended Music and Art High School, where she studied classical music and dance. Carroll began her career as a model, appearing in magazines such as Ebony and Jet. She also appeared in several television commercials, including one for Coca-Cola. In 1954, she made her Broadway debut in the musical "House of Flowers," which was written by Truman Capote and Harold Arlen. Carroll received critical acclaim for her performance and was nominated for a Tony Award. In 1959, Carroll starred in the film "Porgy and Bess," which was based on the opera by George Gershwin. She played the role of Clara and sang the famous aria "Summertime." The film was a critical and commercial success and earned Carroll a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. In 1962, Carroll starred in the television series "Julia," which was the first television series to feature an African American woman in a non-stereotypical role. Carroll played the title character, a widowed nurse who was raising her young son. The show was a hit and earned Carroll an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series. Carroll continued to work in television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in shows such as "Dynasty," "A Different World," and "Grey's Anatomy." She also appeared in several films, including "Claudine," for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In addition to her acting career, Carroll was also a talented singer. She released several albums throughout her career, including "Diahann Carroll Sings Harold Arlen" and "The Time of My Life." She also performed in several concerts and cabaret shows, including a one-woman show on Broadway in 1984. Carroll received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1962, she became the first African American woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in "No Strings." In 1974, she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series for her role in "Julia." In 2011, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Carroll was also a trailblazer for African American women in the entertainment industry. She broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of actresses and singers. She was a role model and inspiration to many, and her legacy will continue to live on. Sadly, Diahann Carroll passed away on October 4, 2019, at the age of 84. She will be remembered as a talented and groundbreaking artist who made a significant impact on the entertainment industry.

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