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African American Actress

All articles tagged with #african american actress

Trailblazing Soap Opera Star Ellen Holly Dies at 92
entertainment2 years ago

Trailblazing Soap Opera Star Ellen Holly Dies at 92

Ellen Holly, the first Black star of a daytime television series for her role in "One Life to Live," has passed away at the age of 92. Holly's portrayal of Carla Gray on the long-running soap opera addressed racial issues and paved the way for similar storylines in other shows. In her autobiography, she revealed the mistreatment and underpayment of Black actors on the set. Holly had a successful career in theater and television, including roles in "The Guiding Light" and Spike Lee's "School Daze." She later became a librarian and is survived by her family. Donations can be made in her name to The Obama Presidential Center or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Pioneering Black Soap Star Ellen Holly Dies at 92
entertainment2 years ago

Pioneering Black Soap Star Ellen Holly Dies at 92

Ellen Holly, the first Black person to star in a soap opera with her lead role on One Life to Live, has passed away at the age of 92. She played the groundbreaking character Carla Gray on the hit ABC show from 1968 to 1980 and 1983 to 1985. Holly's role helped launch viewership of the soap opera into high ratings and paved the way for Black storylines on other shows. She also spoke out about being underpaid and mistreated by show executives. In addition to her acting career, Holly was a published author and a librarian.