Diahann Carroll died today in Los Angeles from cancer, her daughter Susan Kay told Associated Press.
The actress won critical acclaim as the first black woman to star in a non-servant role in a TV series.
She played Julia Barker, in show Julia, who was a nurse whose husband had been killed in Vietnam.
The comedy aired from 1968 to 1971.
Diahann appeared in hit show, Dynasty, where she played the scheming Dominique Deveraux.
She also earned a Tony Award for the musical No Strings and an Academy Award nomination for her role in Claudine.
American filmamaker, Ava DuVernay, paid tribute by sharing a number of pictures of Diahann and said: “Diahann Carroll walked this earth for 84 years and broke ground with every footstep. An icon. One of the all-time greats.
“She blazed trails through dense forests and elegantly left diamonds along the path for the rest of us to follow. Extraordinary life. Thank you, Ms. Carroll.”
Many others have paid tribute, with one fan writing: “Timeless elegance. Timeless career. She set a standard for all to follow. Forever #DiahannCarroll.”
Another said: “Rest in Power #DiahannCarroll I will always remember your grace, power and presence.”
Diahann was married four times and was engaged to British television host and producer, David Frost, from 1970 until 1973.
She addressed her relationship with David in 2015, and said: “We were wonderful together but he travelled constantly and so did I. We concluded that marriage wouldn’t make any sense.”
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and underwent nine weeks of radiation therapy.
Four years ago, she said she was “grateful” after initially beating the disease.
“Cancer does not have to be a death sentence,” she said.
“I treasure the fact that I’m still alive and have enough left in my brain to think – maybe not so clearly all the time but it’s there – and still enjoy life and laughing. I’m very grateful for all those things.”
Diahann had a starring role in Dynasty, and was the nightclub owner decked in diamonds and furs.
“I was the first black b**** on television and it was so great, such fun,” she said about her role.
“The wardrobe was wonderful. There was something of me in Dominique, she was a career woman with a daughter and they didn’t get along that well. Dominique was a very controlling woman and I was absolutely controlling.
“I was so sad to see it end. The cast were outstanding, John Forsyth, Linda Evans and of course Joan Collins.”