Diahann Carroll: On Living A Lush Life
how an ingenue becomes a legendary talent
2008-10-10
By Gil Robertson IV
In a career that has seen its share of highs and lows, Diahann Carroll has endured as an A-list treasure. Beginning her career as a model for Johnson Publishing, Carroll has navigated a career that’s been punctuated by precedent-setting accomplishments: the first African American actress to star in her own television series with Julia, and the first to replace a white actress in a Broadway production in Agnes of God. During that time Carroll also became a member of the international jet-set hob-knobbing with the likes of Aristotle Onassis and Jackie O and a member of the world’s best-dressed list – not once, but twice. Her love life has been equally interesting, with 4 marriages, and intense relationships with British TV host David Frost and Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier, details of which Carroll shares in her new biography, The Legs Are The Last To Go. EbonyJet.com recently spoke to Carroll about her legendary career and about how she has personified glamour for over half a century.
On Values
My mother raised this little girl with her values, and that was the only way I knew how to walk through this thing called life; with decency, directness and confidence. When I think about all of the situations that I have been through in my life it has been been quite daunting. But when I consider the trait or sensibility that has pulled me through, what immediately comes to mind is the sense of purpose that I’ve carried with me throughout my life. To persevere is really something that I wanted in my life. I wanted to know how to overcome the things that were in my way. Both of my parents provided me with an example to never allow anything from preventing me to realize my goals and dreams. I was also taught to never hold on to negative things—only to turn those challenges into learning experiences and to always keep moving forward.
Launch Slide Show!
On Early Hollywood
Life for black people in the industry back then was incredibly intimate. We all knew each other, and in my case, before I arrived in Los Angeles I was already friends with Miles Davis and his wife Frances. I reached out to them before my arrival and they helped with getting me settled down. I stayed at Chateau Marmont when I came to Hollywood, which is a fabulous property that catered to a certain level of actors who were already working at a certain level. That was very beneficial to me and insured that I met the right people who could help me build my career. As for the city itself, Hollywood was a sleepy little town filled with a lot of fun and mischief. I feel so fortunate to have come of age during that time.
On Sidney Poitier
Sidney and I have been writing about each other for some time now and have come to the point where we’re able to laugh about our past circumstances. However, the perspective of our relationship that I share in this book is not a point of view that has been written about before. I find it interesting that no one questions men about their personal life, but will always ask women. When I look back on my relationship with Sidney, one of the things that I realize is that he, as a non-American black man, held a view of our relationship. Men from other parts of the world hold a different view, and many believe that a woman should know her place. It was very difficult for me to weigh in on that scale because Diahann Carroll always weighed in on her own scale. We were very young dealing with all of the things that were a part of relationship, and so it was what it was. I think that he is an incredible man who has walked through the fire and come out very fine.
On Regret
My relationship with my daughter is like a double-edged sword, because today she lives an incredible life. But there were times during her upbringing when I wasn’t there; leaving her to my parents and a nanny to raise. I deeply regret the times that I wasn’t there today, but she understands that I was dedicated to my work because it afforded us a very comfortable life.
I’m not sure if I would be living the life that I live right now if I weren’t married to Vic Damone. That relationship taught me to learn to step back and really see the person that I’m involved with…
On Legacy
I would like to be remembered as someone who worked very hard and tried to do the best work that I was capable of doing. And I always tried to blend the two things – my family and my career. It’s only been recently that I’ve felt like I had the freedom to back away from the career and focus on other things that are really important. My life has been difficult at times, but it’s also been an incredible journey. I’ve been very blessed.
Gil Robertson IV is an A&E journalist and bestselling author. His work covering the entertainment industry has appeared in numerous publications that include the LA Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Black Enterprise magazine.
