RIP Diahann Carroll

1935-2019

Diahann Carroll and Lucille Ball never acted together, but they were both groundbreaking television personalities with network shows (”Here’s Lucy” and “Julia”) airing in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  Both of their TV characters were widows who defied convention.  

They did appear together on the small screen several times.  First, on “Dean Martin’s 1968 Christmas Show” where they both make brief cameo appearances wishing the kids in various hospitals a Merry Christmas.

Fourteen years later, they were two of Bob Hope’s “Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny”.  More than 60 of Hope’s female co-stars are presented in studio segments, as well as television and film excerpts.

Both women turned up at the 1984 and the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards.  Carroll as a cast member of “Dynasty” (1984) and “The Colbys” (1986).  

Lucy was a Hall of Fame winner in 1984 and in 1986 gave The Governor’s Award to her friend  Red Skelton.

In between, in 1985, Lucy and Diahann were part of “Night of 100 Stars II” at Radio City Music Hall.

Kennedy Center Honoree Lucille Ball returned to introduce 1987 honoree Sammy Davis Jr…. 

while Diahann Carroll and new husband Vic Damone sang a medley of songs in tribute to honoree Perry Como. 

The following year both were present at “America’s Tribute To Bob Hope” marking the opening of the Bob Hope Cultural Center at Palm Springs.

That same year, only 11 months before her untimely death, Lucy joined “Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC" singing and dancing.  Diahann Carroll also appeared to mark Hope’s anniversary at the peacock network.