History of Diahann Carroll in Timeline
Diahann Carroll was a highly celebrated American actress, singer, model, and activist. Her career spanned several decades, earning her recognition as one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. Throughout her illustrious career, she garnered multiple awards and nominations, including a Tony Award in 1962, a Golden Globe Award in 1968, and five Emmy Award nominations.
July 17, 1935: Birth of Diahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll was born Carol Diann Johnson on July 17, 1935. She would go on to become an iconic American actress, singer, model, and activist.
January 8, 1954: Chance of a Lifetime Win
On January 8, 1954, Diahann Carroll won the top prize on the DuMont Television Network program 'Chance of a Lifetime,' marking a significant early success in her career.
1954: Broadway Debut
Diahann Carroll made her Broadway debut in 1954, playing Ottilie Alias Violet in the musical 'House of Flowers.'
1954: Rise to Prominence
In 1954, Diahann Carroll rose to prominence with her roles in major studio films featuring black casts, including 'Carmen Jones.'
1956: First Marriage
In 1956, Diahann Carroll married record producer Monte Kay. The ceremony was presided over by Adam Clayton Powell Jr. at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
1959: Role in 'Porgy and Bess'
In 1959, Carroll played Clara in the film 'Porgy and Bess,' marking another milestone in her acting career.
1959: Affair with Sidney Poitier
In 1959, Diahann Carroll began a nine-year affair with married actor Sidney Poitier, a relationship that eventually ended due to personal differences.
September 9, 1960: Birth of Daughter
Diahann Carroll gave birth to her daughter, Suzanne Kay, on September 9, 1960. Suzanne would go on to become a journalist and screenwriter.
1961: Film 'Paris Blues'
In 1961, Carroll starred in the film 'Paris Blues' alongside Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward.
1962: End of First Marriage
Diahann Carroll's marriage to Monte Kay ended in 1962.
1962: Tony Award Win
In 1962, Carroll became the first African-American woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in 'No Strings.'
1968: Golden Globe Award
Diahann Carroll received a Golden Globe Award in 1968, adding to her numerous accolades in the entertainment industry.
1968: Starred in 'Julia'
Diahann Carroll starred in the groundbreaking TV series 'Julia' starting in 1968, becoming the first African-American actress to star in her own television series who did not play a domestic worker.
1969: Emmy Nomination for 'Julia'
In 1969, Diahann Carroll received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in the TV series 'Julia.'
1970: Relationship with David Frost
From 1970 to 1973, Diahann Carroll was in a relationship with and engaged to British television host and producer David Frost.
1971: End of 'Julia'
The TV series 'Julia,' in which Diahann Carroll played the title role, ended in 1971.
February 1973: Marriage to Fred Glusman
Diahann Carroll surprised the press with her marriage to Las Vegas boutique owner Fred Glusman in February 1973.
June 1973: Divorce from Fred Glusman
After only four months of marriage, Fred Glusman filed for divorce from Diahann Carroll in June 1973. Although she responded to the filing, Carroll did not contest the divorce, and it was finalized two months later.
September 1973: Death of Diana Sands
In September 1973, actress Diana Sands passed away before the release of the film 'Claudine,' in which Diahann Carroll took over her role.
April 1974: Release of 'Claudine'
The film 'Claudine,' featuring Diahann Carroll in a role originally intended for Diana Sands, was released in April 1974.
1974: Academy Award Nomination
Diahann Carroll received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in 'Claudine' in 1974.
May 25, 1975: Marriage to Robert DeLeon
At age 39, Diahann Carroll married 24-year-old Robert DeLeon, the managing editor of Jet magazine, on May 25, 1975. They had met when DeLeon assigned himself to cover Carroll's 1975 Oscar nomination for her role in "Claudine."
March 31, 1977: Death of Robert DeLeon
Diahann Carroll's second husband, Robert DeLeon, died in a car crash on March 31, 1977.
1984: Joined 'Dynasty'
In 1984, Carroll joined the prime time soap opera 'Dynasty,' playing the role of Dominique Deveraux.
1987: Marriage to Vic Damone
Diahann Carroll entered her fourth marriage with singer Vic Damone in 1987.
1987: Left 'Dynasty'
Diahann Carroll left the show 'Dynasty' in 1987 after playing Dominique Deveraux for three years.
1989: Emmy Nomination for 'A Different World'
In 1989, Carroll received her third Emmy nomination for her recurring role in 'A Different World.'
1991: Separation from Vic Damone
Diahann Carroll and Vic Damone legally separated in 1991 after a turbulent period in their marriage.
1991: Role in 'The Five Heartbeats'
In 1991, Carroll portrayed Eleanor Potter in the musical drama film 'The Five Heartbeats.'
1995: Role in 'Lonesome Dove: The Series'
In 1995, Carroll played Mrs. Greyson in 'Lonesome Dove: The Series,' reuniting with Billy Dee Williams.
1996: Divorce from Vic Damone
Following a reconciliation and subsequent separation, Diahann Carroll and Vic Damone divorced in 1996.
1997: Role in 'Eve's Bayou'
Diahann Carroll appeared in the notable film 'Eve's Bayou' in 1997.
1997: Breast Cancer Diagnosis
In 1997, Diahann Carroll received a breast cancer diagnosis. Having no family history of the disease and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, she was taken aback by the diagnosis. She underwent nine weeks of radiation therapy and remained cancer-free for years afterward.
1999: Role in 'Having Our Say'
In 1999, Carroll starred in the film 'Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters First 100 Years.'
2001: Animation Debut
Carroll made her animation debut in 2001, voicing Queen La in 'The Legend of Tarzan.'
2006: Role in 'Grey's Anatomy'
In 2006, Carroll appeared in the medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' as Jane Burke.
2008: Role in 'White Collar'
From 2008 to 2014, Carroll played the recurring role of June in the TV series 'White Collar.'
2010: Role in '1 a Minute'
In 2010, Carroll featured in the breast cancer docudrama '1 a Minute.'
2013: Speech at Emmy Awards
In 2013, Diahann Carroll spoke about being the first African-American nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards.
2017: Cognitive Health
Although Diahann Carroll suffered from dementia later in life, actor Marc Copage, who played her on-screen son in "Julia," stated that she did not show significant signs of cognitive decline as of late 2017.
October 4, 2019: Death of Diahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll passed away on October 4, 2019. She was one of the last remaining stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood and left a significant legacy in the entertainment industry.
