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One Life to Live’s Ellen Holly Talks Her Groundbreaking Role And Struggles As Carla Gray
In a sit-down video interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Ellen Holly best-known for her iconic and groundbreaking role on One Life to Live as “Carla Gray” talks about being the first African-American actress with a continuing major role on a soap opera and the turmoil behind it.
Throughout the over four and half hour’s of interview conducted with Holly, the actress chronicles her struggles with One Life’s creator Agnes Nixon, and various producers to be paid fairly, while also asking for good and dramatic storylines.
Photo: ABC
Holly recalls leaving One Life to Live in 1980, and returning in 1983, only to be fired by then-producer Paul Rauch at the end of her contract. She discusses what she feels was poor treatment by the network and several producers of One Life to Live, and what she learned from that experience.
There are lots of stories, and behind the scenes moments through the viewpoint of Ellen, as well as how important it was at the time to be cast is such a key role in 1968.
From advice for actors, the civil rights movement, diversity in television, events and behind the scenes stories with her co-stars and producer at One Life, pivotal career moments and more, all of it was covered with the TV Academy Foundation
Now below check out a six segments relating to Holly’s experience and time on OLTL. Let us know what you thought about what she had to say via the comment section.
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Always loved Ellen Holly and Carla! (From the narrative and having read her book, I presume her dressing room was given away to Jacquie Courtney and her co-star of less sexual wattage than Peter De Anda and Robert Milli was Herb Davis.) However, she misrepresents the span of time Lillian Hayman was on “One Life.” Lillian left about 1970 (replaced by Hilda Haynes and Esther Rolle) and didn’t return to the show full-time until 1977 (the show was 45 minutes at this point; original cast member Doris Belack had been fired and replaced a few weeks prior). Sadie did, however, return to the show briefly for Carla’s wedding to Ed Hall (circa 1973). When Sadie returned full-time, the writers had created a backstory whereby Sadie once worked for Will and Naomi Vernon as their nanny/housekeeper before becoming housekeeping supervisor at Llanview Hospital (Holly erroneously reports in her book that Sadie worked for the Siegels, the last of which had left months before the introduction of the Vernons in 1976.)
Holly is correct, however, in the show’s re-positioning of Carla beginning in the 1970s. She became a supporting character, whereas she was a leading lady during her first couple of years or so. She had some high notes in her following decade on the show — Carla and Ed taking in young street smart Joshua West and her second marriage (to Dr. Jack Scott, played by an actor whom she despised). However, Holly and her audience deserved better — the actress was an asset and drawing card, and evocative of the show’s glorious early years.
Rickie, thanks so much for providing such detail and filling in the blanks. I, too, watched OLTL during that time, but my memory of that show is not as vivid.
What I do remember, however, is the mesmerizing allure of Ellen Holly as Carla Gray. A great actress in a groundbreaking storyline — for any medium!
I must thank Michael Fairman for this illuminating feature, including snippets of this riveting interview. For me, it’s so enjoyable when the early days of soaps are honored — and deservedly so!
There doesn’t seem to be any love lost between Holly and Erika Slezak, who she refers to as “the third Viki”
Lol @ the third Viki. Yikes! That hurt MY feelings…
I started watching OLTL as kid in the late 70s, so I missed the initial groundbreaking Carla Benari/Grey storyline, but I fondly remember Miss Holly during the Ed Hall era. It really is heartbreaking how she and Miss Hayman were relegated to bit players when they were clearly and integral factor in the shows success.
And speaking of the third Viki, I would imagine that the overwhelming majority of the remaining OLTL fans could never fathom anyone in the role of Victoria Lord Riley Burke Riley Buchanan Buchanan Carpenter Davidson Banks/Niki Smith/Jean Randolph/Torrie/Tommy/Princess/Victor Lord, other than the incomparable Erika Slezak. I have heard many times that her work doesn’t even come close to what Gillian Spencer gave to the role (albiet as an only twice married Viki with only one alter). I have never seen any of those scenes, and have only seen two or three stills of her in the role. I believe all the original video from the first few years of the show was rerecorded over or destroyed. Tragic! What I would give to see just a few of those original episodes featuring Miss Holly, Miss Hayman and Miss Spencer, who I grew up watching portray another iconic soap character on another iconic Agnes Nixon soap..;)
LOL. I was thinking the same thing. In her book, she raves about Gillian Spencer (the original Victoria Lord) and mentions that Joanne Dorian (her replacement) was a good actress who was physically a Xerox copy of Ms. Spencer (the actresses only vaguely looked similar, as I recall). Re: Erika Slezak — I was impressed she had so much chemistry with Lee Patterson (Joe Riley) when he returned to the show (Slezak was cast with Bernard Grant as her love interest; she hadn’t worked with Patterson during his first run). However, Slezak wasn’t a major draw for me personally. Ellen Holly, Lynn Benish (Meredith), Dorrie Kavanaugh (Cathy), Lee Warrick (Julie) and Nancy Pinkerton (the fabulous original Dorian Cramer) were more of a draw for me through the early 1970s.
In going back over the history of the the show, ES didn’t seem to be much of a stand out until they brought back Niki Smith. Prior to that, I believe both Judith Light and Robin Strasser had won Emmys before Slezak won her first. Viki could be quite dull and one note. They really milked the DID storyline to the point of ridicule. As a kid, I remembered it being poignant and heartbreaking to see Viki succumb to Niki Smith. After a while, it just looked like the writers drug out Niki whenever they didn’t know what to do with Viki, or they just wanted cheap comic relief.
Yes–soaps historical OVERDO a once-good thing. 🙁
When I watch Ellen Holly, I feel as though I am witnessing a remake of Captain Queeg’s Court Martial in The Caine Mutiny. Whew… creepy.
I watched all of this interview. I have her book as well. She dropped quite a bit of info from her years on the show and beyond. Well worth viewing. She is quite knowledgeable of the business and how the game is played. It IS a shame how she and others were treated by those in power at ABC. She deserved better.
I have always loved Ellen Holly. She is a beautiful and talented actress. She still is. I am sorry TPTB treated her so badly. Thank you Michael Fairman for sharing these videos.
Ellen Holly’s the reason I began watching OLTL beginning at age five with my big brother and two aunts. I never understood why she suddenly disappeared until reading her book years later. you Ms. Holly
So sorry–evil lurks everywhere.
I was only 5 years old when OLTL debuted and I watched with my mom and my great aunt. I loved Ellen Holly. Funny that even at my you g age, I never saw Ellen as a supporting or secondary role. She was always a a main star of OLTL in my eyes. Her words in this interview are a much needed cautionary tale for everyone who is new act acting.
I was just a young mother, years ago when watching the most romantic relationship between Carla and Ed. I also loved watching Ms. Holly many years ago in The Heat of The Night with Carroll O’Connor. What a two for one treat that was.
When was she on In The Heat Of The Night with Caroll O’Connor? If you are thinking of the actress he married on there, that was Denise Nicholas of Room 222 fame, Blacula, and other shows and movies.
She played Ruth Peterson from 1989 to 1990. You can Google it, if you like.
Gotcha. But Denise Nicholas has been misidentified often as other actresses. I didnt know Ellen Holly was ever on there..but I only watched it about half the time
Breaking News
THURSDAY: E! News Daytime Drama Deep Dive Visits DAYS, GH, and Y&R
Mark your calendars for a very special segment on the soaps, when E! News delivers their Daytime Drama deep dive on Thursday, May 23 hosted by Giuliana Rancic and Jason Kennedy at 7pm-8pm ET/PT on cable’s E!
Look for set visits, interviews, retro clips, and more with some of the most famous and enduring characters in the genre. Here’s just a sample of what to watch for:
When E! News visit the set of Y&R, Eric Braeden recounts the time Victor was feeding his wife Julia’s lover trapped in the basement dead rat; while Tracey Bregman (Lauren) reflects on why the viewers love the relationships and families in Genoa City.
In Salem and Days of our Lives, E! chats with series staples: Kristian Alfonso (Hope), then Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Drake Hogestyn (John). Deidre reveals “possession will be on my tombstone” in terms of Marlena’s most infamous story of all-time when the good doc was possessed by Satan, while the beloved duo discuss why daytime is the best job to have. Alfonso talks on the history of her character sharing: “I am going to hold near and dear to my heart the beginnings of Hope. And the adventure and the romance of Bo and Hope”.
Courtesy/E!
From the set of General Hospital new interviews are featured with: Laura Wright (Carly), Steve Burton (Jason) and Kristina Wagner (Felicia), plus Casting Director Mark Teschner remembers Meghan Markle’s acting debut on the ABC daytime drama series.
Teschner remembers: “Meghan Markle actually had her first speaking role in television on General Hospital. She worked on the show in the background as a nurse, and we brought her up to read her to see if there was something there.”
Steve Burton chats on the craziest story he has ever played as Jason Morgan, revealing, “The one that always pops into my head is we had to go catch a monkey that had a virus, and I said to Laura (Wright) I think this is probably the end of my career today.”
The E! News special segment will show nostalgic clips from all the daytime dramas, including Luke and Laura’s wedding on GH, Marlena’s possession from DAYS, and some of Victor’s nefarious schemes from Y&R.
Check out the promo below. Then, let us know if you will be checking out the ‘deep dive’ this Thursday via the comment section below.
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General HospitalMay 22, 2019General Hospital’s New Opening Title Sequence
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The Young and the RestlessMay 20, 2019Y&R Poll: Which Arrival Or Return Are You Most Looking Forward To?
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Breaking NewsMay 16, 2019Eva LaRue Joins The Cast of The Young and the Restless
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RecapsMay 19, 2019THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Who Shot Adam?
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Breaking NewsMay 16, 2019Ellen Pompeo Rips Into ‘The Bachelor’ Creator And Defends Kelly Ripa For Her Comments
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General HospitalMay 17, 2019GH Nurses’ Ball 2019 Part One: Nina’s Red Carpet Arrival Commentary And Locking Eyes With Jax
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General HospitalMay 21, 2019GH Nurses’ Ball 2019 Part Three: Trouble Looms For Ava, Cameron’s Heartfelt Song, A Liesl & Franco Duet
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General HospitalMay 16, 2019Josh Swickard Performs The Chainsmokers & Coldplay’s “Something Just Like This” In GH Nurses’ Ball Sneak Peek