Ellen Holly
Ellen Virginia Holly (January 16, 1931 – December 6, 2023) was an American actress. Beginning her career on stage in the late 1950s, Holly was perhaps best known for her role as Carla Gray–Hall on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1968–1980; 1983–1985).
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BIO
Ellen Virginia Holly (January 16, 1931 – December 6, 2023) was an American actress. Beginning her career on stage in the late 1950s, Holly was perhaps best known for her role as Carla Gray–Hall on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1968–1980; 1983–1985). Holly is noted as the first African American to appear on daytime television in a leading role.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
See how Ellen Holly connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Ellen Holly from another Broadway star or creative.
Ellen Holly
Connection
Movies
Take a Giant Step
[ 1959 ] The Girl in the Bar
[ 1959 ] The Girl in the Bar
Cops and Robbers
[ 1973 ] Ms. Wells
[ 1973 ] Ms. Wells
School Daze
[ 1988 ] Odrie McPherson
[ 1988 ] Odrie McPherson
TV Shows
Guiding Light
Judge Frances Collier, Judge Collier
Judge Frances Collier, Judge Collier
In the Heat of the Night
Ruth Peterson
Ruth Peterson
One Life to Live
Carla Gray, Carla Hall
Carla Gray, Carla Hall
News
Woodie King, Jr., Founder of New Federal Theatre, Passes Away at 88
by Gillian Blum - Jan 31, 2026
Producer, director, and New Federal Theatre founder Woodie King Jr. passed away at 88 on January 29 following complications from emergency heart surgery.
by Gillian Blum - Jan 31, 2026
Producer, director, and New Federal Theatre founder Woodie King Jr. passed away at 88 on January 29 following complications from emergency heart surgery.
Broadway Actress And America's First Black Soap Opera Star Ellen Holly Has Died
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 7, 2023
Ellen Holly, the first Black person to have a lead role in daytime television, has passed away at 92. She was a theater actress, starred on Broadway, and was a published author. Her autobiography detailed her career and her historic Black family.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 7, 2023
Ellen Holly, the first Black person to have a lead role in daytime television, has passed away at 92. She was a theater actress, starred on Broadway, and was a published author. Her autobiography detailed her career and her historic Black family.
Woodie King, Jr. To Retire June 30 As Head Of New Federal Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2021
Woodie King, Jr., Founder and Producing Director of New Federal Theatre (NFT), will retire from leadership of the famed theater company on June 30, 2021, handing the baton to NFT's newly appointed Artistic Director, Elizabeth Van Dyke.
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2021
Woodie King, Jr., Founder and Producing Director of New Federal Theatre (NFT), will retire from leadership of the famed theater company on June 30, 2021, handing the baton to NFT's newly appointed Artistic Director, Elizabeth Van Dyke.
BWW Exclusive: Woodie King Jr. Discusses the Past, Present and Future of New Federal Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2020
Woodie King Jr., founder of New Federal Theatre has penned an article exclusively for BroadwayWorld, discussing New Federal Theatre's past, present and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2020
Woodie King Jr., founder of New Federal Theatre has penned an article exclusively for BroadwayWorld, discussing New Federal Theatre's past, present and more.
Photo Flash: AMERICAN MOOR Celebrates Opening Night
by Julie Musbach - Sep 9, 2019
Red Bull Theater presents Keith Hamilton Cobb's acclaimed play American Moor, making its Off-Broadway premiere at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St), in a production directed by Kim Weild and produced in collaboration with Evangeline Morphos, Frederick M. Zollo, Elizabeth I. McCann and Tom Shea.
by Julie Musbach - Sep 9, 2019
Red Bull Theater presents Keith Hamilton Cobb's acclaimed play American Moor, making its Off-Broadway premiere at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St), in a production directed by Kim Weild and produced in collaboration with Evangeline Morphos, Frederick M. Zollo, Elizabeth I. McCann and Tom Shea.
BWW Flashback: The History of KING LEAR
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2019
King Lear is making its triumphant return to Broadway, starring Glenda Jackson in a gender-swapped version of the title role. As we gear up for this revival, let's take a look back on some notable Lears past...
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2019
King Lear is making its triumphant return to Broadway, starring Glenda Jackson in a gender-swapped version of the title role. As we gear up for this revival, let's take a look back on some notable Lears past...
Photo Flash: Take Wing And Soar Productions Celebrates 15th Anniversary Gala Celebration
by Julie Musbach - May 9, 2018
On Saturday, May 5th 2018, Take Wing And Soar Productions (TWASInc), an award winning, Harlem-based, professional Theater Arts Corporation held its Fifteenth Anniversary Gala Celebration, the TAKE WING AND SOAR SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS, at Columbia University's Lerner Hall Roone Arledge Auditorium. The elegant afternoon featured esteemed hosts, talented classical actor/singers and the Volunteer Divas who were joined by approximately 120 business leaders, artists, patrons, volunteers, friends and alumni.
by Julie Musbach - May 9, 2018
On Saturday, May 5th 2018, Take Wing And Soar Productions (TWASInc), an award winning, Harlem-based, professional Theater Arts Corporation held its Fifteenth Anniversary Gala Celebration, the TAKE WING AND SOAR SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS, at Columbia University's Lerner Hall Roone Arledge Auditorium. The elegant afternoon featured esteemed hosts, talented classical actor/singers and the Volunteer Divas who were joined by approximately 120 business leaders, artists, patrons, volunteers, friends and alumni.
Actress and Playwright Lee Chamberlin Passes Away at 76
by Nicole Rosky - May 29, 2014
Lee Chamberlin, an actress and playwright whose career spanned four decades on the stage, television and films, died of cancer at 76 on May 25, 2014. Her death was confirmed by her family.
by Nicole Rosky - May 29, 2014
Lee Chamberlin, an actress and playwright whose career spanned four decades on the stage, television and films, died of cancer at 76 on May 25, 2014. Her death was confirmed by her family.
Actress Ellen Holly Speaks Out Against 'One Life to Live'
by Kelsey Denette - Jan 13, 2012
As viewers and television historians prepare to say good-bye to the landmark daytime soap opera One Life to Live on January 13, Ellen Holly, one of the show's original cast members, hopes to expose what she believes were duplicitous behind-the-scenes happenings of the iconic daytime drama and the show's true place in television history.
by Kelsey Denette - Jan 13, 2012
As viewers and television historians prepare to say good-bye to the landmark daytime soap opera One Life to Live on January 13, Ellen Holly, one of the show's original cast members, hopes to expose what she believes were duplicitous behind-the-scenes happenings of the iconic daytime drama and the show's true place in television history.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Ellen Holly been in?
Ellen Holly has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.
How many West End shows has Ellen Holly been in?
Ellen Holly has not appeared in the West End.
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