Diahann Carroll Gray Wigs

In the past two years, actress Diahann Carroll has died at the age of 83. While there has been much controversy surrounding her passing, her untimely death is a tragic loss to the world of entertainment. Her heyday, if you will, was between the late 1950s and early 1990s, when she made her mark on a variety of television series and movies.

A true pioneer, she was the first African-American woman to star in a sitcom. She was also the first to receive an Emmy nomination for her role in a series – although she only received three nods, the last one in 1989 for her role in the hit TV series A Different World. Not content to rest on her laurels, she went on to be a major figure in Hollywood. Besides starring in such iconic TV shows as The Cosbys and Dynasty, she lent her voice to some of the greatest movies of the last century, such as The Legend of Tarzan and the aforementioned The Colbys.

One of her many marriages was with another showbiz legend, record producer Monte Kay. Their daughter was journalist and screenwriter Suzanne Kay Bamford. They eventually divorced. For the most part, she was a sassy and savvy widow who managed to maintain a reasonably happy life despite her husband’s debilitating alcoholism and physical abuse.

In addition to the aforementioned Claudine, Carroll was recognized with numerous awards and accolades. One of her many notable contributions to the film industry was her role as Norma Desmond in the film, “Sunset Boulevard,” which is arguably the best movie of the golden age. It also gave her a chance to work with her longtime school mate Billy Dee Williams. On the small screen, Carroll appeared on the aforementioned “Meanings,” on “The Hollywood Palace,” and in the television show “Sleepless in Seattle.” During her lifetime, she also starred in the aforementioned “House of Flowers,” and the short-lived series “Brady Lloyd.” Of course, she did not forget her ’80s love, Dynasty.

Besides her many contributions to the entertainment world, she was also a philanthropist. A founding member of the Celebrity Action Council, she was instrumental in bringing women together to benefit from each other’s experiences and resources.