Ellen Holly

Biography

Ellen Virginia Holly (January 16, 1931 – December 5, 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. Holly is noted as the first African American to appear on daytime television in a leading role.

Known For

School Daze

as Odrie McPherson

Great Performances

as Regan

Guiding Light

as Judge Frances Collier

Take a Giant Step

as The Girl in the Bar

The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Hostess

10,000 Black Men Named George

as Selena Frey

Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force

as Amy

King Lear

as Regan

High School Narc

as Mrs. Robbins