With her long-running role as Carla Gray, Holly became America’s first Black soap opera star.
Her publicist, Cheryl L. Duncan, confirmed the news to EW.
Though she had small roles on TV series includingThe NursesandDr.
Ellen Holly.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Kildare, Holly struggled to find consistent work on screen early in her career.
Later in the series, Carla married Al Freeman Jr.’s Ed Hall and adoptedLaurence Fishburne’s Joshua.
Holly left the series in 1980 and returned in 1983, then left again in 1985.
Holly reunited with Fishburne in her most prominent film role, inSpike Lee’s 1988 musical dramedySchool Daze.
She then joined the soapGuiding Lightas Judge Collier, appearing on the show from 1989 to 1993.
Her last screen role came in the 2002 TV movie10,000 Black Men Named George.
She is survived by grandnieces, cousins, and other family members.
