“One Life to Live” actress Ellen Holly, who became the first Black person to star on a soap opera, has died. She was 92.
Her publicist, Cheryl L. Duncan, confirmed the news late Thursday.
Holly first appeared on television in 1957 on “The Big Story.” But she’s perhaps best known for playing Carla Gray on “One Life to Live” in 522 episodes. She began her stay on the series in 1968 through 1980, before later returning from 1983 to 1985.
The Manhattan native was cast after producer Agnes Nixon read the actress’ New York Times opinion piece titled “How Black Do You Have To Be?”
In the article, Holly reflected on her personal difficulties working as a light-skinned Black woman.
Nixon signed Holly for a one-year contract for $300 a week. Her character Carla was a White-passing woman who’s race wasn’t revealed until the end of her first season. Carla’s “attempt to come to terms with her racial identity and her love triangle with two doctors” launched the show’s ratings “into the stratosphere,” according to Holly’s obituary.
Read the full article here