Lena Horne, the beautiful legendary actress and singer, passed away yesterday in New York City. She was 92. Most known for her role in the all-black screen musical, Stormy Weather, Horne was a trailblazer for African-American actresses. I will always remember her as being Diana Ross’s fairy godmother in one of my favorite movies, The Wiz. She will be missed!

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Diahann Carroll is a classic BG who never seems to get acknowledged as much as she should. Her career helped pave the way for all of the African-American actresses who have made it and who are still struggling to make it in Hollywood today.

Her role as a widowed nurse on Julia, back in the late 1960s was one of the first African-American characters on a weekly TV series that didn’t depict a stereotype. She also played the infamous Dominique Deveraux on the legendary show, Dynasty for several years.

Since those popular shows were before my time, I had the opportunity to watch her on my all-time favorite TV show, A Different World as, Marion, Whitley Gilbert’s undeniably bourgeois mother. She later made a few guest appearances as, Aunt Ruth, the Joseph sisters’nosy aunt on my other beloved show, Soul Food (the Showtime series). I’m sure you Grey’s Anatomy fans have seen her on that hit show, as well as many others.

So today I give Ms. Carroll praise for being a pioneer in bringing positive portrayals of African-American women to television!

Here are a few facts about her:

Her birthname is Carol Diahann Johnson

She was born on July 17, 1935

She’s an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Is one of only 7 African-American actresses to receive the Best Actress Oscar nomination. The others in chronological order are: Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett and Halle Berry.

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There’s no classic BG who is as fierce (I’m tired of that word too, but it suits so well) as Miss Diana Ross also known as The Boss! Her dynamic presence demands attention and respect. From her massive mane to her eye-catching glittery frocks, Miss Ross is a fashion icon in her own right.

She’s brought us Motown hits and disco ditties that are known internationally. Not only has she gifted us with popular hit songs, she’s also utilized her bountiful talents by gracing the big screen with cult classics like “The Wiz,” “Mahogany” and “Lady Sings the Blues.”

I don’t know why, but today I just felt like giving this phenomenal BG diva her props for being a living legend who paved the way for female entertainers worldwide.

5 Diana Ross Tidbits:

Her birth name is Diane Ernestine Earle Ross.

Has been nominated for 12 Grammy awards, but never won.

Was nominated for an Oscar for “Lady Sings the Blues” in 1972.

Intended to call her third daughter (born in 1975) “Chutney”, yet misspelled the name as “Chudney” on the birth certificate.

Billboard Magazine named her Female Entertainer of The Century.

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I’ve always been fascinated by old Hollywood glamour. However, when I was younger I only knew about white actresses from that period. That was until I was in 8th grade and had to watch the groundbreaking opera, Porgy & Bess for a class assignment and saw Dorothy Dandridge.

Prior to viewing this pioneering film, I never saw African-Americans in roles from the 1940s and 1950s that weren’t mammies or minstrels.

So after that assignment I wanted to know more about the film’s leading lady. After seeing old photographs of Dorothy in magazines I immediately admired her style! To me, Dorothy exuded class and sophistication. Her fashion sense was impeccably chic.

Even decades after her death, she’s still a fashion icon to many. So, for those young BGs who only know about Carmen Jones from seeing Beyonce’s portrayal from MTV’s hip-hopera a few years ago, it was Dorothy who first brought the feisty character to life!

5 Facts About Dorothy Dandridge:

1. She was born in Cleveland, OH in 1922

2. First African-American actress to be Oscar-nominated for “Best Actress in a Leading Role.”

3. She loved soul food. Her favorite was chitterlings and greens, which she ate only once a week.

4. First black woman to grace the cover of Life Magazine.

5. She was first choice for the role of Cleopatra but ultimately the role went to Elizabeth Taylor.

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