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Diahann Carroll Biography

Birth Name:Carol Diann Johnson

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • A breast cancer survivor herself, she often supports numerous causes for the disease
  • Her parents encouraged her career in entertainment by booking modeling gigs for her as a child, as she was already 6'0" as a teen
  • Quote: "I like to think I opened doors for other women, although that wasn't my original intention․"
  • Got her big break on the television program "Chance of a Lifetime" where contestants would sing for cash, which she would go on to win four weeks in a row before being offered to tour nightclubs throughout New York
  • After stints on both film and Broadway, she became the first African American woman to lead her own sitcom with 1968's "Julia"
  • Once engaged to English television host and presenter, David Frost, in the 1970s

Awards

  • 1963Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1969Golden Globe-Best TV Star - Female: winner
  • 1969Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1970Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1975Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1975Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1975Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1999Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special: nominated
  • 2000Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2001Black Reel-Best Television Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2003Groundbreaking Show-: winner
  • 2005Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2011ISA-Outstanding Guest Appearance: nominated
  • 2012Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated