Happy (79) Birthday

Happy Birthday to Iconic Legend the one and only Diahann Carroll.  A singer. Broadway stage, film, television actress, she has conquered them ALL.  I had the lovely pleasure of spending the evening with her a few years back, when she was on tour promoting her book 'The Legs Are The Last Thing To Go' it was one of the highlights of my life.  Diahann Carroll was born July 17, 1935.  She has had a long, successful career that has spanned nearly six decades. After appearing in some of the earliest major studio films to feature black casts such as Carmen Jones (1954) and Porgy and Bess (1959) and on Broadway in 1962 Tony Award for Best Actress – No Strings, she starred in Julia (1968), one of the first series on American television to star a black woman in a non-stereotypical role.  Next she tackled the role of 'Claudine' trying to stay one step ahead of Mr Welfare man with James Earl Jones, which garnered her an Academy Award nomination.  On to her next project was Sister, Sister with Irene Cara and the late actress Rosaland Cash.  Later she created the role of Dominique  Deveraux televisions first black b*tch on the  prime time soap opera, Dynasty.  Having to knock down doors became the way of life for Ms. Carroll, on Broadway she played the role of Agnes in 'Agnes of God' and Nora Desmond in Sunset Boulevard two roles that were typically cast for a Caucasian.  Those are just some of the highlights of her illustrious career. 

Today many up and coming African American actresses are able to get work in television/film because of Carroll's groundbreaking work.  She is the recipient of numerous stage and screen awards and nominations. Carroll has been married four times and became the mother of a daughter in 1960. She is a breast cancer survivor and activist.  Diahann Carroll was scheduled to return to the Broadway stage in the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun as Mama, but withdrew prior to opening.  Ms. Carroll is true Hollywood Royalty!

The one and only Diahann Carroll