Beautiful Ellen Virginia Holly who was the first African to ever play a lead role in an American TV series has died.

Ellen Holly could pass for a Caucasian. It was a tough time to be black when she was born. Of course she was the p of enslaved Africans. Yet she looked like the enslavers. One can only imagine her fights on both sides. Scorned by one and suspected and envied by the other.

She entered the entertainment industry. Her skin colour paid off. It was an opportunity to break the barriers for future Africans. Ellen gave it everything she had. Ellen Holly made it count.

Then she got the big role. Lead in an all white cast at the time. It was a roar! It was a huge achievement. People of colour got renewed hope. It was a new dawn.

And so we say, thank you Ellen Virginia Holly for blazing the trail. Rest in peace queen.

Do share your favourite Ellen movie in the comments section below.

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