Diahann Carroll, R.I.P.

Actress, singer, dancer and model Diahann Carroll has passed away following a long battle with cancer. She was 84.


The Bronx born Carroll first came to national attention in 1954 as part of the all black cast in Carmen Jones. Five years later, Carroll appeared in the onscreen version of Porgy & Bess. In 1962, Carroll became the first African-American actress to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in No Strings co-starring Richard Kiley.


Six years later, Carroll became the first African-American woman to have a lead in a major TV show Julia which aired on ABC for three seasons through 1971. Carroll would earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in Claudine. Carroll also hosted a short lived variety show on CBS in the summer of 1976.


Following a hiatus from show business in the early 1980's, Carroll was cast on Dynasty in 1984 as Dominique Deveraux, a rival to Joan Collins' Alexis Colby. At the time Carroll said she wanted "to be the first black bitch on TV."


In recent years, Carroll played recurring characters on shows like A Different World and Grey's Anatomy. She was also part of the cast of the USA Network show White Collar. On a personal note, I quite enjoyed this show and it was clear the level of respect her co-stars had for her in every scene.


I leave you with Carroll singing "Someone to Watch Over Me." R.I.P.