Ava DuVernay, Mitzi Gaynor and other celebrities are remembering Diahann Carroll, the groundbreaking star of stage and screen, after her daughter announced her death after a long battle with cancer Friday. The “Julia” and “Dynasty” star was the first African
American woman to star in a non-servant role in a network television series. She was 84.DuVernay, who directed the
Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” shared her admiration for Carroll in a tweet Friday.“Diahann Carroll walked this earth for 84 years and broke ground with every footstep. An icon. One of the all-time greats. She blazed trails through dense forests and elegantly left diamonds along the path for the rest of us to follow. Extraordinary life. Thank you, Ms. Carroll,” DuVernay tweeted Friday.Also Read: Diahann Carroll, Groundbreaking Star of 'Julia' and 'Dynasty,' Dies at 84“Diahann Carroll was a luminous, extraordinary, performer, and an even more beautiful human being. I’ll treasure memories of shared laughter, and of her incredible artistry. Farewell, beautiful Diahann,” said Gaynor, the actress, singer and dancer known for “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” in a tweet Friday.“The champagne won’t be burnt in Heaven. RIP, Diahann Carroll,” said journalist and TV personality Jonathan Capehart, referring to Carroll’s famous line as Dominique Deveraux in the ABC soap opera “Dynasty.”Al Roker also took to
Twitter Friday to remember Carroll. “Tony & Golden Globe award winning, Oscar & Emmy nominated pioneering actress Diahann Carroll has passed at 84. It was an honor to get to meet and talk with her. Her show, JULIA, made tv history with her at the helm,” he tweeted.The NAACP tweeted, “Rest In Power to legendary actress DiahannCarroll.”Also Read: Jessye Norman, Opera Legend, Dies at 74Vanessa Williams paid tribute on Instagram. “My heart is broken after hearing about the legendary diahanncarroll ‘s passing. I was honored to have her play my mother in the @lifetimetv movie thecouragetolove Ms. Carroll paved the way for so many black actresses in so many different genres,” the actress/singer posted, along with a photo from the movie. “Broadway (No Strings, House of Flowers, Sunset Boulevard) TV (Julia, Dynasty) Film (Claudine) plus many many more. She was a mentor, trailblazer and dynamic talent that single-handed integrated the Union by demanding to have a black hairdresser do her hair on her groundbreaking show “Julia”. My deepest condolences go out to her family and all that adored her.Film director Matthew A. Cherry wrote, “Rest In Peace Diahann Carroll.”“Diahann Carroll you taught us so much. We are stronger, more beautiful and risk takers because of you. We will forever sing your praises and speak your name,” tweeted “Fame” actress Debbie Allen.“I once met the legendary Diahann Carroll at a luncheon in Toronto. I told her that when she starred in Julia, people used to say my mother looked like her. Without blinking an eye, she said “Was she very beautiful?” Ms Carroll was a Goddess,” tweeted “Desperate Housewives” actress Dana Delany.“21 Jump Street” actress Holly Robinson Peete tweeted, “This one cuts deeply. My mom & Ms Diahann were friends since they were 14. She was a pioneer on so many levels. She made me believe I could be on television! I loved & cherished and idolized her like a daughter.”Read original story Diahann Carroll Remembered by Ava DuVernay, Mitzi Gaynor and More: ‘One of the All-Time Greats’ At TheWrap