Ellen Holly, the first Black actor to have a leading role on a daytime soap opera, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. She was 92.
Photo by Ashley E. Jones
Holly joined ABC’s One Life to Live in 1968, in the role of Carla Benari, an actress of seemingly Italian heritage who found romance with Jim Craig, a white doctor (played by Robert Milli and then Nat Polen). It eventually came out that Carla Benari was actually Carla Gray, an African-American passing as white –and the daughter of Llanview Hospital housekeeping boss Sadie Gray...
Photo by Ashley E. Jones
Holly joined ABC’s One Life to Live in 1968, in the role of Carla Benari, an actress of seemingly Italian heritage who found romance with Jim Craig, a white doctor (played by Robert Milli and then Nat Polen). It eventually came out that Carla Benari was actually Carla Gray, an African-American passing as white –and the daughter of Llanview Hospital housekeeping boss Sadie Gray...
- 12/8/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Ellen Holly, whose long-running turn as Carla on ABC’s One Life to Live made her the first Black actress to gain stardom on a daytime soap opera, has died. She was 92.
Holly died in her sleep Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, publicist Cheryl L. Duncan announced.
A member of The Actors Studio who did Shakespeare for Joseph Papp and was mentored by the same woman who discovered Julie Harris and Kim Stanley, Holly appeared four times on Broadway, beginning with her acclaimed performance in 1956 as the female lead in Too Late the Phalarope.
She appeared in a handful of films as well, from Take a Giant Step (1959), starring Johnny Nash, Estelle Hemsley and Ruby Dee, to School Daze (1988), directed by Spike Lee.
Holly, however, did not work as often as her talents suggested she should have, because as a light-skinned African American, she had difficulty being hired...
Holly died in her sleep Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, publicist Cheryl L. Duncan announced.
A member of The Actors Studio who did Shakespeare for Joseph Papp and was mentored by the same woman who discovered Julie Harris and Kim Stanley, Holly appeared four times on Broadway, beginning with her acclaimed performance in 1956 as the female lead in Too Late the Phalarope.
She appeared in a handful of films as well, from Take a Giant Step (1959), starring Johnny Nash, Estelle Hemsley and Ruby Dee, to School Daze (1988), directed by Spike Lee.
Holly, however, did not work as often as her talents suggested she should have, because as a light-skinned African American, she had difficulty being hired...
- 12/7/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stars: Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, Charles Cioffi, Roy Scheider, Robert Milli | Written by Andy Lewis, Dave Lewis | Directed by Alan J. Pakula
Released in 1971, Alan J. Pakula’s sophomore feature Klute is regarded as the first of his unofficial Paranoia Trilogy, which would go on to include The Parallax View and All the President’s Men. However, Klute is far less overtly political – and far more intimate – than those later pictures.
Donald Sutherland plays the titular John Klute, a private investigator who is employed to look into the disappearance of a man named Tom (Robert Milli). Apparently, shortly before his death, Tom was sending filthy letters to a New York call girl named Bree (Jane Fonda). So, John heads to NYC to interview Bree. Once there, a stuttering, sad and sensual relationship begins.
John’s task is to trace the points backwards from Bree’s encounter with a man who...
Released in 1971, Alan J. Pakula’s sophomore feature Klute is regarded as the first of his unofficial Paranoia Trilogy, which would go on to include The Parallax View and All the President’s Men. However, Klute is far less overtly political – and far more intimate – than those later pictures.
Donald Sutherland plays the titular John Klute, a private investigator who is employed to look into the disappearance of a man named Tom (Robert Milli). Apparently, shortly before his death, Tom was sending filthy letters to a New York call girl named Bree (Jane Fonda). So, John heads to NYC to interview Bree. Once there, a stuttering, sad and sensual relationship begins.
John’s task is to trace the points backwards from Bree’s encounter with a man who...
- 8/22/2019
- by Rupert Harvey
- Nerdly
1973: CBS aired the final episodes of Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for a baby switch storyline."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.
1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.
1955: On the Brighter Days, Charlie Garrett told Reverend Dennis how the Garrett Bakery...
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for a baby switch storyline."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.
1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.
1955: On the Brighter Days, Charlie Garrett told Reverend Dennis how the Garrett Bakery...
- 3/26/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1953: Love of Life's Vanessa waited for news about Beanie.
1987: Atwt's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.
1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.
1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1942: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife, after a five and a half year run.
1953: On Love of Life, with Beaning (Dennis Parnell) missing, a tense Meg Harper (Jean McBride) complained that her sister,...
1987: Atwt's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.
1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.
1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1942: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife, after a five and a half year run.
1953: On Love of Life, with Beaning (Dennis Parnell) missing, a tense Meg Harper (Jean McBride) complained that her sister,...
- 3/21/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Dark Shadows' Barnabas attacked a woman trying to save him.
1983: General Hospital's Heather was arrested.
1985: Days of our Lives' Bo & Hope decided to lope.
1988: All My Children's Stuart & Cindy became engaged."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) told Charley (Ian Martin) that he intended to pursue Harry until he admitted to murdering Marilyn.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) attacked the woman (Anita Bolster) that Joshua Collins and Countess...
1983: General Hospital's Heather was arrested.
1985: Days of our Lives' Bo & Hope decided to lope.
1988: All My Children's Stuart & Cindy became engaged."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) told Charley (Ian Martin) that he intended to pursue Harry until he admitted to murdering Marilyn.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) attacked the woman (Anita Bolster) that Joshua Collins and Countess...
- 3/19/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1979: Another World's Alice wasn't sure she should marry Dan.
1979: Guiding Light's newly arrived Ross rook Roger's case.
1990: General Hospital's "Duke" died in Anna's arms.
2004: All My Children's Bianca gave birth to Miranda."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) was shot in the shoulder after a struggling over a gun with her prison guard (Howard Honig). Peter Bradford (Roger Davis) and Victoria attempted to leave the jail.
1976: On Ryan's Hope, Johnny (Bernard Barrow) made peace with...
1979: Guiding Light's newly arrived Ross rook Roger's case.
1990: General Hospital's "Duke" died in Anna's arms.
2004: All My Children's Bianca gave birth to Miranda."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) was shot in the shoulder after a struggling over a gun with her prison guard (Howard Honig). Peter Bradford (Roger Davis) and Victoria attempted to leave the jail.
1976: On Ryan's Hope, Johnny (Bernard Barrow) made peace with...
- 3/19/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1985: General Hospital's Robert and Anna explained to Robin why
they hadn't told her the truth about being her parents.
1995: Stone Cates died. 2006: Sonny and Robin remember Stone
on the anniversary of his death. 2011: Robin talked to Stone
on the bridge."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1946: The Guiding Light aired for the final time on NBC Radio, sponsored by General Mills. Irna Phillips had been in a prolonged lawsuit with Emmons Carlson over rights to the show, leading NBC to cancel the series for the second time.
they hadn't told her the truth about being her parents.
1995: Stone Cates died. 2006: Sonny and Robin remember Stone
on the anniversary of his death. 2011: Robin talked to Stone
on the bridge."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1946: The Guiding Light aired for the final time on NBC Radio, sponsored by General Mills. Irna Phillips had been in a prolonged lawsuit with Emmons Carlson over rights to the show, leading NBC to cancel the series for the second time.
- 11/29/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Oltl's Jim asked Price to assist with Carla's case.
1980: The Edge of Night's Geraldine interrupted Raven's plans.
1985: Days of our Lives' Patch attacked Hope.
2010: General Hospital's Mike appeared for the final time."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: Joan Crawford made the second of four appearances on The Secret Storm as Joan Borman Kane, substituting for her sick daughter Christina Crawford.
1968: On One Life to Live, Joe (Lee Patterson) told Anna (Doris Belack) about his feelings for her, which went beyond the boundaries of friendship. Meredith (Trish Van Devere) had left...
1980: The Edge of Night's Geraldine interrupted Raven's plans.
1985: Days of our Lives' Patch attacked Hope.
2010: General Hospital's Mike appeared for the final time."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: Joan Crawford made the second of four appearances on The Secret Storm as Joan Borman Kane, substituting for her sick daughter Christina Crawford.
1968: On One Life to Live, Joe (Lee Patterson) told Anna (Doris Belack) about his feelings for her, which went beyond the boundaries of friendship. Meredith (Trish Van Devere) had left...
- 10/29/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1980: Larkin Malloy made his Edge of Night debut.
1980: Gh's Laura didn't leave after saying goodbye to Luke.
1985: Oltl's Tina figured out Viki was Niki Smith.
2001: Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1970: On Another World, after being jilted by the man she loved, Wayne Addison (Robert Milli), Liz (Nancy Wickwire) was convinced she had no life. "I have nothing," she told her daughter, Susan (Lisa Cameron). "Nothing that matters."
1980: Larkin Malloy made his first appearance on The Edge of Night as "Schuyler Whitney."
1980: On General Hospital, Jennifer Smith...
1980: Gh's Laura didn't leave after saying goodbye to Luke.
1985: Oltl's Tina figured out Viki was Niki Smith.
2001: Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1970: On Another World, after being jilted by the man she loved, Wayne Addison (Robert Milli), Liz (Nancy Wickwire) was convinced she had no life. "I have nothing," she told her daughter, Susan (Lisa Cameron). "Nothing that matters."
1980: Larkin Malloy made his first appearance on The Edge of Night as "Schuyler Whitney."
1980: On General Hospital, Jennifer Smith...
- 10/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
In The China Syndrome (1979), plucky young news anchor Kimberly Wells (Jane Fonda) wants nothing more than to be seen as a real reporter. She wants to be given opportunities like any other person in her field of employment, but when she asserts her willingness and desire to do “hard news” she’s often met with chuckles for men who reassure her that her current job is fine. Kimberly is stuck putting on a fake smile in front of bozo the happy dancing hippo and celebrating the latest local “who gives a shit” excuse for culture in Southern California. Men tell her that they love her new buoyant red hair and that the ratings have gone up since she’s joined the network’s carousel of idiots hypnotizing the mom and pop middle class into a false sense of security. She knows she can report on hard news, and dammit she...
- 6/12/2018
- MUBI
1973: CBS aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas
Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for
a baby switch storyline."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.
Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for
a baby switch storyline."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.
- 3/23/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1953: Love of Life's Vaness waited for news about Beanie.
1987: Atwt's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.
1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.
1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1942: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife,...
1987: Atwt's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.
1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.
1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1942: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife,...
- 3/20/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1979: Another World's Alice wasn't sure she should marry Dan.
1979: Guiding Light's newly arrived Ross rook Roger's case.
1990: General Hospital's "Duke" died in Anna's arms.
2004: All My Children's Bianca gave birth to Miranda."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) was shot in the shoulder after a struggling...
1979: Guiding Light's newly arrived Ross rook Roger's case.
1990: General Hospital's "Duke" died in Anna's arms.
2004: All My Children's Bianca gave birth to Miranda."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) was shot in the shoulder after a struggling...
- 3/18/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Dark Shadows' Barnabas attacked a woman trying to save him.
1983: General Hospital's Heather was arrested.
1985: Days of our Lives' Bo & Hope decided to lope.
1988: All My Children's Stuart & Cindy became engaged."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) told Charley (Ian Martin...
1983: General Hospital's Heather was arrested.
1985: Days of our Lives' Bo & Hope decided to lope.
1988: All My Children's Stuart & Cindy became engaged."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) told Charley (Ian Martin...
- 3/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
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