Carla Gray

Carla Gray

Clara "Carla" Gray (formerly Benari, Hall and Scott) is a fictional character on the American soap opera One Life to Live. The role was portrayed by Ellen Holly, who was contracted with the serial by creator Agnes Nixon in September 1968, and debuted in the episode first-run October 7, 1968; Holly appeared in the lead role through December 1980. Holly reprised the role in April 1983, reappearing in May of that year; she taped episodes through September 1985, and last appeared onscreen in December 1985.

Carla was one of the original characters created for the show and was featured in a ground-breaking and very controversial storyline about race relations. Carla was a lighter-skinned black American passing as a white. The fact that Holly's Carla was actually black was not revealed to the show's audience until about six months into the show's run. The revelation was a major shock to viewers, and the series was boycotted by several Southern affiliates. Nevertheless, the controversy attracted much attention and ratings shot up for the then-fledgling soap.