Ellen Holly dead at 92: The One Life to Live star and first Black soap opera actress died ‘in her sleep’
One Life to Live star Ellen Holly has died at the age of 92.
The actress, who was the first black soap opera star, died Wednesday at Cavalry Hospital in the Bronx, New York.
According to her, the New York resident died 'in her sleep' Deadline.
Holly played the role of Carla Gray on ABC's One Life to Live from 1968 to 1980 and from 1983 to 1985, becoming the first black star to lead a daytime television show.
She was hand-picked to play the role by television producer Agnes Nixon after seeing a New York Times article that Holly wrote entitled “How Black Do You Have To Be?” which detailed the hardships of finding roles as a light-skinned black woman.
One Life to Live star Ellen Holly has died at the age of 92; pictured in 1979
Holly was born on January 16, 1931 in Manhattan to William Garnet Holly, a chemical engineer, and Grayce Holly, a writer and homemaker.
She graduated from Hunter College before beginning her acting career in theater, performing in New York City and Boston.
In 1956, she made her Broadway debut in Too Late the Phalarope.
She later starred in the Broadway productions Face of a Hero, Tiger Tiger Burning Bright and A Hand is on the Gate.
During her years in theater she worked with such greats as Roscoe Lee Browne, James Earl Jones, Jack Lemmon, Barry Sullivan and Cicely Tyson.
During her years in theater she worked with stars such as Roscoe Lee Browne, Jack Lemmon, Barry Sullivan, James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson.