Trailblazer and television icon Diahann Carroll graced the 2013 Emmy Awards with her presence, reminding everyone why she will forever be a legend.
Carroll took the stage with Kerry Washington Sunday night at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre to present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. At 78 years old, she looked ravishing in a black, striped gown with flowing long sleeves.
More than 40 years ago, Carroll was the first African-American woman to star in her own show in a non-stereotypical role with NBC's "Julia," CNN notes. In 1969, that groundbreaking series earned her the Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. From there, she went on to appear on "The Colbys," "Dynasty," "A Different World," "Grey's Anatomy" and "White Collar," to name just a few.
Her appearance -- especially beside Washington, whose starring role in "Scandal" is the first African-American woman lead in a network drama since 1974 -- was certainly noteworthy.
For those frantically Googling, the woman you want to be when you grow up is named Diahann Carroll.
— Gawker (@Gawker) September 23, 2013
While at the microphone, Carroll joked about what it was like to work on TV in the late 1960s.
"It's been such a long time since I've been standing in this place I don't know what to do," Carroll said onstage Sunday. "But the men are much more beautiful than when I was doing television. I don't know where you came from, but I'm very happy to see you. After all, my leading man was Lloyd Nolan, and those of you who know what that means -- don't repeat to anyone."
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