Harry Belafonte
- Born:
- March 1, 1927, Harlem, New York City, NY, USA
- Died:
- April 25, 2023, Manhattan, New York City, NY, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Singer, Actor, Activist
Early Life and Education
- Born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. to Jamaican immigrants.
- Spent several years of his childhood in Jamaica.
- Dropped out of high school to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
- Later took acting classes at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School for Social Research in New York City, alongside Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his singing career in New York clubs in the late 1940s.
- Gained mainstream success in the 1950s with his calypso music.
- His album Calypso (1956) was the first album to sell over a million copies.
- Starred in numerous films, beginning with Bright Road (1953).
- A prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr.
- Served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
- Won three Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Received the National Medal of Arts in 1994.
Notable Works
Discography (Selection)
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1956 | Calypso |
| 1957 | An Evening With Belafonte |
| 1959 | Belafonte at Carnegie Hall |
| 1962 | Midnight Special |
Filmography (Selection)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Bright Road | Principal Homer Adams |
| 1957 | Island in the Sun | David Boyeur |
| 1959 | The World, the Flesh and the Devil | Ralph Burton |
| 1972 | The Angel Levine | Alexander Levine |
Legacy and Impact
Harry Belafonte's multifaceted career as a singer, actor, and activist left an indelible mark. Beyond his musical achievements and film roles, his tireless commitment to civil rights and humanitarian causes solidified his position as a major cultural figure. Many seek information on artists like him, leading to searches for things like 'harry belafonte singer biography examples'. His pioneering use of calypso music to break racial barriers in the music industry, coupled with his unwavering advocacy for social justice, cemented his legacy as an artist with profound cultural and political impact.