Diahann Caroll is an inspiring icon. So much so that she even had her own Barbie doll made in her likeness. She was born Carol Diahann Johnson on July 17, 1935 in The Bronx, New York. She worked as a nightclub singer, model, and Broadway actress before making her film debut in 1954 alongside Dorothy Dandridge and Pearl Bailey in Carmen Jones. In 1959 she would star in the popular movie Porgy and Bess.
During her career, Ms. Carroll made a number of films. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in Claudine in 1974, in which she stared opposite James Earl Jones. She also starred in No Strings (1962) and in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979). However, it wasn’t until she was cast as the lead in Julia in 1968, that Ms. Carroll became a superstar celebrity. In the TV show, Carroll played Julia Baker, a young widow whose husband was killed in the Vietnam War who moves into an integrated apartment building in Los Angeles with her young son Corey. She finds employment as one of two nurses for a grumpy, but lovable doctor. Finally there was an African American woman on TV who was not playing a domestic worker! This role made her the first African-American woman to star in her own television series. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for Julia in 1969 and won the Golden Globe Award in 1968. While some criticized the fact that she portrayed a single mother on the show, or were skeptical of how someone who was a nurse could sport such fashionable clothes every week, Caroll’s role as Juila served as an inspiration to many African Americans and her likeness could be seen on lunchboxes and in the form of dolls.
Carroll is also well known for her role as Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty from the 1980s. She received her third Emmy nomination in 1989 for her role on A Different World. Most recently, Carroll has made recurring guest appearances on the hit Grey’s Anatomy.
Ms. Caroll’s positive image inspired little black girls in the 1960s, and leading actresses such as Kerry Washington, have been very vocal on how influential and groundbreaking Ms. Caroll has been. One might speculate that Olivia Pope may not have been possible without Juila. In addition to all of her accomplishments Ms. Caroll is a breast cancer survivor! So today, we celebrate the amazing talent, beauty and resilience that Diahann Caroll has shared with us for over six decades, while we take a look at how you can capture some of Ms. Caroll’s glamour on your wedding day.
Ms. Caroll’s Wedding Dress
Carroll has been married four times. Her first marriage, which is pictured above, was to record producer Monte Kay. They had a daughter, Suzanne Kay Bamford, born September 9, 1960, who became a freelance media journalist. Ms. Caroll’s wedding look is timeless in every way. Long lace sleeves and tea length dresses are present on many current bridal runways. We love these looks from Romona Keveza, Cherie Sposa, and Carolina Herrera.
Juila
Ms. Caroll was one of the most fashionable nurses on T.V. Recreate her look with a structured wedding suit. We adore these suits from Georges Hobeika, Monique Lhuillier, and Rosa Clara.
Georges Hobeika Monique Lhuillier
Dynasty
The popular TV show Dynasty was full of over the top glamour. If you want to recreate Ms. Caroll’s looks from this show, go for opulent faux fur, and lots of shine and embellishment. Why not even wear a gold or silver wedding dress? Here are some extravagant looks from Rosa Clara, Mark Zunino, Marchesa, Krikor Jabotian, and Pronovias.
Ms. Caroll will always be an inspiration and we salute her!
I LOVE this week’s throwback so much I had to comment! Just recently was saying how much Kerry Washington reminded me of Diahann’s Thursday Primetime reign. Gorgeous montage! Ms. Caroll is the epitome of timeless beauty, classic style and grace!