Best known by the public for her starring role as the title character in "Julia" (1968).
Diahann had to withdraw from the 2004 Kennedy Center production of "On Golden Pond" co-starring James Earl Jones due to medical reasons. She was replaced by Leslie Uggams.
Her romantic relationships were turbulent. In the early 1970s she became romantically involved with David Frost, a popular British talk show host. In November of 1972, she and Frost became engaged but she called it off and married another man, Freddie Glusman, a week later. That marriage was short-lived.
Her third union to Robert DeLeon, the 24-year-old managing editor of Jet magazine, after only meeting three months earlier, grew contentious early in the game. DeLeon began to drink heavily and run up debts, and the marriage ended abruptly when he was killed in a 1977 car accident.
In 1959, while appearing as Clara in Porgy and Bess (1959), she fell in love with the film's star Sidney Poitier. Both were married, however, and the affair ended. The two reconnected with the filming of the movie Paris Blues (1961) and this time she divorced her first husband. She eventually became engaged to Poitier, only to break off the relationship several months later.
In the 1960s she was engaged to Sidney Poitier.
In the early 1970s, engaged to TV interviewer David Frost.
Is a breast cancer survivor.
Is a honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Is one of 9 African-American actresses to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. The others in chronological order are: Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Gabourey Sidibe and Viola Davis.
Mother of Suzanne Kay Bamford, media journalist (b. 9 September 1960).
Mother-in-law of Mark Bamford.
Once enrolled at New York University, where she intended to study psychology, in honor of her parents' wishes that she complete her education. She lasted one term; her passion for a career in singing won out.
Once pursued the idea of a joint talk show hosting assignment with her daughter, Suzanne Kay, from her first marriage.
Once worked in the hat department at New York's Macy's Store.
She and actor Billy Dee Williams were high school classmates at The New York City High School of the Performing Arts, the school that was featured on the popular TV series "Fame" (1982).
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7005 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Was a model for Ebony Fashion Fair.
Was supposed to have returned to "Dynasty" (1981) for Season 10 in 1989, but the show was canceled after Season 9.
While Diahann was performing in 1954's "House of Flowers" on Broadway, she became involved with the show's casting director, Monte Kay, who then became her first husband in September of 1956.