Diahann, who was the first African American woman to star in her own TV series died on Friday (Oct. 4) at her home in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer.
Her daughter, Suzanne Kay, confirmed the news.
'We are sad to say goodbye to a true icon, Diahann Carrol, the Tony Awards shared on Twitter. 'The first African-American Tony winner in a leading role, winning for her performance in No Strings in 1962. #DiahannCarroll
During her long career, Carroll earned a Tony Award for the musical 'No Strings' and an Academy Award nomination for 'Claudine'. Her Tony win made her the first black woman to win the lead actress award.
Carroll who made her Broadway debut at age 19 in the Harold Arlen musical “House of Flowers,” was best known for her pioneering work on 'Julia.' Carroll played Julia Baker, a nurse whose husband had been killed in Vietnam, in the groundbreaking situation comedy that aired from 1968 to 1971.
Her early recordings include “Porgy and Bess” with the Andre Previn Trio, “Diahann Carroll Sings Harold Arlen,” “Best Beat Forward” and “Showstopper.” Later recordings include her 1978 tribute to Ethel Waters and 1997’s “The Time of My Life.”
Carroll was married four times, to talent manager and music producer Monte Kay, retailer Fred Glusman, editor Robert DeLeon and singer Vic Damone. Survivors include a daughter, Suzanne Kay, a journalist and screenwriter, and two grandchildren, August and Sydney.
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