Dianne Carroll shined on 'Julia', 'Dynasty and 'A Different World'

Those who enjoy retro television and classic programming should be familiar with Diane Carroll who was in 3 hit prime-time series from the 1960s through the 1990s. In her early years, the actress was in musicals that featured all-Black casts like CARMEN JONES (1954) and PORGY AND BESS (1959). In 1962, Carroll had the honor of becoming the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. This was for her role in the BROADWAY musical NO STRINGS. Carroll was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1974 for CLAUDINE.

Diane Carroll, however, will probably be best remembered for her work in television which left her a legion of fans. From 1968-1971 she starred in JULIA, from 1984-1987 she had a role on DYNASTY and from 1988-1993 she had a recurring role on NBC's A DIFFERENT WORLD. The actress made history on two of the three TV shows and opened doors for women of color who came behind her. In Carroll'sgroundbreaking television series JULIA, the iconic actress became the first African American to star in her own television show. This was also the first time that a Black woman was in a nonstereotypical role on TV.

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Until Diane Carroll became Nurse Julia Baker females of color were only maids and nannies. Julia was a widow who worked as a nurse to care for her son Corey (Marc Copage). The show aired on NBC from September 17, 1968, to March 23, 1971 and also starred Lloyd Nolan as Dr. Morton Cheglley and Paul Winnfield and Fred Williamson as romantic interests for the nurse. Critics of the show said it was a fantasy and implied that all African Americans lived in poverty and that Julia's nice apartment was not a reality when in fact for some it was. There was also concern that the show should not tackle subjects that would upset white viewers.

Diane Carroll was once quoted as saying she wanted a role where she was "wealthy and ruthless" and in her next major television role she was just that. The actress was cast as Dominique Deveraux from 1984-1987 in the ABC primetime series DYNASTY. She was the unknown half-sister of series star John Forsythe (Blake Carrington) who was white. Dominique held her own as a diva in scenes with Alexis Carrington/Colby (Joan Collins).

As the feisty Ms. Deveraux, Carroll became the first Black actress to have a continuing role on a primetime serial at that time. Dominique was also the first prominently featured African-American character on a nighttime soap opera. Dominique was as fierce and bitchy as Julia was sweet and compassionate. Billy Dee William came on board as her husband. Carroll shined in the role and she was dubbed the first 'Black bitch" on nightime television.

In 1988 Diane Carroll took on a role that seemed to combine her previous two characters. As Marion the mother of Whitley Gilbert on A DIFFERENT WORLD Carroll was wealthy, cultured, refined, and bougie without the nastiness of Dominique. She also displayed a maternal side but was not quite as nurturing and caring as Julia.

Although the actress was not acknowledged for anything significant in this series the show was groundbreaking because it features an all-black college and introduced the viewing audience to different classes of African Americans. This would not have been possible had Diane Carroll not graced the small screen as Julia Baker in the 1960s. Carroll passed away at age 84 in 2019 from breast cancer. She left behind a daughter Susanne Kay from her marriage to Vic Damone. At this particular time on A DIFFERENT WORLD is currently on the air on weekday afternoons on the TVOne network.