Ellen Holly, an American actress who rose to fame for her role as Carla Gray-Hall on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live, has passed away at the age of 92. She was a pioneer in daytime television and the first African American to appear on daytime television in a leading role.
Holly played Lawrence Fishburne’s mother on the show and starred on One Life to Live for 20 years. She also appeared in several movies and performed on stage with some of the greatest black actors of her generation, including Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Cicely Tyson, Robert Hooks, and James Earl Jones. Holly returned to daytime in the long-term recurring role of a judge on Guiding Light from 1989 until 1993. Grant Shipp, Holly’s cousin, announced her passing on Facebook and paid tribute to her legacy in the entertainment industry.
Grant wrote, “Remembering my cousin Ellen Holly this morning,who passed last night. She was a pioneer in daytime television. Starring on One Life to live for 20 years. Playing Lawrence Fishburn’s mother on the show. She appeared in several movies and performed on stage with the greatest black actors of her generation. Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Cicely Tyson, Robert Hooks, and James Earl Jones, to name a few. You had One Life to Live, and it was an amazing life. You were simply one of the best. Now you know the secret. God rest your soul.“
Our condolences go out to her family and friends. May Ellen Holly rest in peace!
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