The Life & Times of Diahann Carroll

Recently I read Diahann Carroll’s autobiography The Legs Are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying & Other Things I Learned the Hard Way (2008). The book was written with the help of Bob Morris. Honestly this is one of my favorite reads of 2020. If you know me, you know I absolutely adore Diahann Carroll. I have a previous post about her TV sitcom Julia (1968 - 1971), the first show that starred a black entertainer in a non stereotypical way.

Diahann Carroll’s career as an actress (in TV, film, and Broadway) and singer was groundbreaking. Diahann played in films such as Paris Blues (1961), Claudine (1974), Sister, Sister (1982), etc. Her Broadway work is also groundbreaking. She starred in House of Flowers with Pearl Bailey, No Strings (the first time a black woman portrayed the lead), and Agnes of God. She guest starred in so many hit TV shows of Golden Era such as, The Red Skelton Hour, The Jack Paar Tonight Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, What’s My Line, The Judy Garland Show, the list could go on and on. Not to mention she played the legendary Dominique Deveraux in the 1980s hit Dynasty becoming the “first black bitch” as she likes to say.

Her book was refreshingly honest. Normally when I read an Old Hollywood autobiography it is filled with movie-like scenes and a sense that the entertainer in question was a hero or heroine of some sort. She admits her shortcomings and owns up to her mistakes. I just want to share five wonderful life lessons or facts about Diahann.

1. Diahann Carroll had a legendary career because she forged a space for herself at a time when roles were not offered to black entertainers. She stood up for herself and asked for the part even when it seemed virtually impossible to obtain it. Even in her small role as Clara in Porgy and Bess (1959), she stood up for herself Sam Goldwyn of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. A man who could’ve seriously ruined her career if he wanted. Director Otto Preminger made her wear a bandana onscreen that she complained that she did not want to wear. The bandana was distracting in the shots that were filmed of Carroll and Sam Goldwyn was livid. He called her to his office and berated the young black actress for something out of her control. Diahann calmly responded “I’m sorry, Mr. Goldwyn, but even my own father would never speak to me in that manner. But if you’d like to discuss the scarf, I’d be happy to tell you what happened.” (p. 117)

2. Fashion and beauty was a huge part of Diahann Carroll’s life. She started her career as a model in her late teens. Her style was always polished and decadent much like her personality. She opted for sleek gowns and clean lines. When she was older she preferred minimalism and the color black. She adored wigs and was always seen with makeup in place. She learned about “paying for quality” from the fabulous Broadway actress Josephine Premice who had elegant style and demeanor. (p. 216) She was a huge advocate for plastic surgery in her later years.

3. Diahann Carroll had a complex relationship with her daughter Suzanne Kay which she writes in depth about. She admits that she put her career over daughter when she was young and thus it affected their relationship until Suzanne was older, married, and had kids. Diahann Carroll seemed like an amazing and loving grandmother and mother and it is wonderful to know her and Suzanne were able to come to an understanding and continue to have a loving relationship despite their rocky past.

4. Men, men, men. Diahann Carroll had a pattern of dating men who were verbally and/or physically abusive. It was heartbreaking to read. Most surprising was her affair with Sidney Poitier that lasted 9 years. He was married and she was married. Their affair was tumultuous with a lot of false promises even resulting in Diahann’s divorcing her husband for Sidney Poitier. They were able to get along in their later years. Her last marriage to Vic Damone was the last straw. After 4 marriages, she remained single in her later years and tried out different forms of therapy (including LSD) to discover how situations from her past may have affected her present.

5. Diahann Carroll was a complex woman. She was definite, regal, and poised. Perhaps in a way that doesn’t feel the most unattainable to someone like me but I hope to carry a bit of Diahann Carroll’s fabulousness with me in my every day life. She continued to live her life to the fullest playing in the hit series Grey’s Anatomy (2006-2007), bought her grandchildren grand clothing, and enjoyed cocktails with her friends. She had tough moments such as being there for both of her parents when they passed away from their sicknesses and battling her own bout of breast cancer. She had a complex relationship with her sister that she never (and rightfully so) disclosed.

I think the biggest lesson I learned from her book is life is bound to be filled with mistakes and hardships. We take the knocks and learn from them, no matter our age.

Diahann Carroll passed at 84 on October 4th, 2019. I was devastated to hear of her passing. In honor of her, I highly recommend listening to NPR’s podcast episode “Remember The ‘Divine Diahann Carroll.’” They honored her birthday with a discussion on her legacy and the auction that took place by her family after her death. Suzanne is interviewed on the episode and is truly a delightful listen. I also suggest popping some bubbly and putting on some of Diahann’s favorite music. Go with the classic hits of George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Watch Julia if you can or Claudine.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I will see you next week!

NOTE: Some of the post was sourced by Diahann Carroll’s The Legs Are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying, and Other Things I Learned the Hard Way and cited in parenthesis with the page number.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the photographs in this post.