Trailblazer, talent, beauty, icon, legend – just a few of the many wonderful words being used to remember Diahann Carroll today. Most of you in this fandom, of course, knew her as June Ellington, but she’d had a long and groundbreaking career before moving into that mansion on Riverside Drive. She won a Tony in 1962, a Golden Globe in 1969, was nominated for four Emmys and an Academy Award, and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2011. As the star of “Julia” in the late 1960s, she was the first black actress cast in a lead, non-servant role. Depending on your age, you may also remember her from recurring roles on “Dynasty,” “A Different World,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

On a more personal note, I loved Diahann’s role on WC. From the first episode to the last, she brought elegance, grace, and even a bit of sass to June and made her a character that everyone loved. I was so happy that a whole new generation was introduced to her singing, and I thought she had such beautiful diction while speaking as well. (And as someone who is admittedly fluent in profanity, I chuckled at the fact that even someone as classy as Diahann was not immune to the occasional expletive, as evidenced in the season six gag reel.)

Rest easy, Ms. Carroll. You will certainly be missed. Also, fuck cancer.