Trivia

In 1984, it was pointed out to the producers of Dynasty (1981) that, despite having one of the largest casts on television, the series did not feature a single African-American character. As a result, she was cast as Blake Carrington's illegitimate half-sister Dominique Devereaux, who sued for her share of the family fortune. Carroll's character lasted through two seasons (and 87 episodes) and made several guest appearances in the "Dynasty" spin-off The Colbys (1985).

Release of her autobiography, "The Legs Are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying, Mothering and Other Things I Learned Along the Way" by Diahann with Bob Morris. (2008)

Once enrolled at New York University, where she intended to study psychology, in honor of her parents' wishes that she complete her education. She lasted one term; her passion for a career in singing won out.

Best known by the public for her starring role as the title character in Julia (1968).

Her romantic relationships were turbulent. In the early 1970s, she became romantically involved with David Frost, a popular British talk show host. In November 1972, she and Frost became engaged but she called it off and married another man, Freddie Glusman, a week later. That marriage was short-lived.

Once worked in the hat department at New York's Macy's department store.

She and Billy Dee Williams were high school classmates at the New York City High School of Music and Art, the school that in the 1970s merged with the High School of Performing Arts (featured in Fame (1982)) to become LaGuardia High School.

Her third union to Robert DeLeon, the 24-year-old managing editor of Jet magazine, after only meeting three months previously, grew contentious early in the game. DeLeon began to drink heavily and run up debts, and the marriage ended abruptly when he was killed in a 1977 automobile accident.

Before she was a successful singer and actress, she was a model for Ebony Fashion Fair.

Won Broadway's 1962 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "No Strings", in a tie with Anna Maria Alberghetti for "Carnival".

Is one of ten African-American actresses to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. The others in chronological order are: Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Gabourey Sidibe, Viola Davis and Quvenzhané Wallis.

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7005 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 3, 1990.

Mother of Suzanne Kay, media journalist and screenwriter (b. 9/9/60).

Premiering at the height of the civil rights struggle, Julia (1968) with its decidedly apolitical, middle-class heroine, was attacked by militants for being too lenient to the white community. However, Carroll persevered, and the series proved popular in its three-season run, opening doors to other series led by African-Americans.

She appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Carmen Jones (1954), Porgy and Bess (1959) and Eve's Bayou (1997).

Seven Star Productions, run by a Richard Brooks and Herbert Ross, was planning to make the film version of Rodgers' Tony award-winning play "No Strings" with Nancy Kwan in the lead role instead of Diahann Carroll. Potential producer of the film Ray Stark made this comment to Jet magazine: "Miss Carroll is over excited. This isn't going to be a race problem picture the way we're doing it. The picture's going to be light, happy entertainment." After an inquiry from the NAACP and several groups threatening to boycott the film, Seven Star Productions shelved the project and the film was never made. Before the project was dead a publicity man for Seven Star did mention that "Seven Star is a Jewish company and we sympathize with the problems of Negro performers" in the November 29, 1962 issue of Jet magazine.

While performing in "House of Flowers" (1954) on Broadway, aged 19, Carroll became involved with the show's casting director, Monte Kay, whom she married in September 1956.

Once pursued the idea of a joint talk show hosting assignment with her daughter, Suzanne Kay, from her first marriage.

Had to withdraw from the 2004 Kennedy Center production of "On Golden Pond" co-starring James Earl Jones due to medical reasons. She was replaced by Leslie Uggams.

Was supposed to have returned to Dynasty (1981) for Season 10 in 1989, but the soap opera was canceled after Season 9.

Won first prize on television's Chance of a Lifetime (1951).

Along with Roger E. Mosley and Marla Gibbs, she attended the Mufundi's Drama Workshop in Los Angeles, California.

Honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Release of her autobiography, "Diahann" by Diahann with Ross Firestone. (1986)

Returned to work four months after giving birth to her daughter Suzanne to begin filming Paris Blues (1961).

She had nine hobbies (over her long life): playing the piano, singing, dancing, listening to music, traveling, spending time with family, listening to the radio, collecting fur coats and dining out.

Her parents were John Johnson, a subway conductor, and Mabel (Faulk) Johnson, a nurse.

Released her second autobiography: "The Legs Are the Last to Go" (2008). In it, she indicated that in the late 1960s and early 1970s, she was involved in a tumultuous relationship with the late actor Don Marshall (Julia (1968), Land of the Giants (1968)), during which Carroll endured physical and mental abuse.

She was the spokesperson for Healthy Choice TV Dinners in the 1990s.

Has two grandchildren: August and Syndey.

Her Julia (1968) co-star, Marc Copage, had spent some time with his television mother's real-life family, but wanted to grow a close bond with her real-life daughter (Suzanne Kay), as his sister. The feeling wasn't mutual.

Former mother-in-law of Mark Bamford.

In 1962, Diahann Carroll and Anna Maria Alberghetti tied for the Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Musical. Diahann won for "No Strings" and Anna Maria won for "Carnival!".Theirs was the fourth of 10 ties in Tony history.

Has one sister:Lydia.