Though she may have left us, her legacy will never be forgotten. Diahann Carroll, the trailblazing first Black woman to win a Tony Award, passed away from cancer at the age of 84 on October 4, according to her daughter Suzanne Kay, who spoke with the Associated Press. Her life and career were nothing short of extraordinary, and her contributions to the arts will continue to inspire generations to come.
Breaking Barriers on Broadway and Beyond
Carroll’s journey through the entertainment industry was nothing short of revolutionary. In 1962, she shattered barriers when she took home the prestigious Tony Award for her role in the musical No Strings. This historic win paved the way for countless Black performers who followed in her footsteps. But her influence didn't stop there. Diahann's impact extended far beyond the stage and into the realm of television, where she continued to break new ground.
A Groundbreaking Role in Primetime TV
With the groundbreaking series Julia (1968-1971), Carroll became the first Black woman to star in a primetime TV show without playing a servant role. Her character, Julia Baker, was a nurse whose husband had been killed in Vietnam, making her a single working mother. This portrayal was revolutionary at the time, offering viewers a fresh perspective on Black women’s roles in society. For her performance, Diahann earned both an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe, further cementing her status as a trailblazer in the industry.
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Her Time on Dynasty and Beyond
Carroll's talents didn't end with Julia. She went on to play the iconic role of Dominique Deveraux on the primetime soap opera Dynasty, becoming the first Black main character in such a series. Her portrayal of Dominique was villainous yet captivating, leaving an indelible mark on audiences. And while her time on Dynasty was memorable, it was her role in the 1974 film Claudine that earned her an Academy Award nomination—a rare feat at the time, making her only the fourth Black woman in history to achieve this honor.
Despite her numerous achievements, Diahann revealed in a 2017 exclusive interview with Closer Weekly that her greatest accomplishment wasn't her career—it was her daughter, Suzanne Kay. She credited Suzanne with making her a proud grandmother, a role she cherished deeply. "Raising grandchildren is glorious," Diahann gushed. "We can meet, have a ball, do what we wanna do, and then it's 'Goodnight, Nana.' It's almost perfection."
She continued, "It's made me more religious than I've ever felt because being in their presence for a couple of days lifts me, elevates me. It's only after they've left that I truly understand the depth of that feeling. I have friends who ask me, 'Was your family here recently?' And I proudly say yes because I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be in this stage of my life. It's comforting to know that you belong right where you are."
Even with all her accomplishments, when asked if there was more she wanted to achieve, Diahann's response was simple yet profound: "Always." Her passion for life and her craft was evident in everything she did, and her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations.
