01of 20
Harry Belafonte’s Childhood
Archive Photos/Getty
Singer, actor, activist Harry Belafonte was born on March 1, 1927, in New York City. After his parents split, the star spent his early years in Kingston, Jamaica, with his brother and mother before she moved them back to New York in search of better job opportunities.
02of 20Harry Belafonte’s Debut AlbumMichael Ochs Archives/GettyIn 1956, Belafonte releasedHarry Belafonte: Calypso— with songs “Day-O (Banana Boat Song)” and “Jamaica Farewell” — and became the first solo performer to sell a million copies. His influence earned him the title of King of Calypso, and he went on to take his musical talents to Broadway.
02of 20
Harry Belafonte’s Debut Album
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In 1956, Belafonte releasedHarry Belafonte: Calypso— with songs “Day-O (Banana Boat Song)” and “Jamaica Farewell” — and became the first solo performer to sell a million copies. His influence earned him the title of King of Calypso, and he went on to take his musical talents to Broadway.
03of 20Harry Belafonte on BroadwayPictorial Parade/Archive Photos/GettyBelafonte made his Broadway debut in the musicalJohn Murray Anderson’s Almanac, which earned him a Tony award for best featured actor in a musical. He was also Grammy-nominated 11 times and won twice, once for best performance for “Swing Dat Hammer” and once for best folk recording for “An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.”
03of 20
Harry Belafonte on Broadway
Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty
Belafonte made his Broadway debut in the musicalJohn Murray Anderson’s Almanac, which earned him a Tony award for best featured actor in a musical. He was also Grammy-nominated 11 times and won twice, once for best performance for “Swing Dat Hammer” and once for best folk recording for “An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.”
04of 20Harry Belafonte’s First Movie RoleMichael Ochs Archives/GettyIn 1954, the star broke into Hollywood with the musical filmCarmen Jonesopposite Dorothy Dandridge. The Otto Preminger directed film was nominated for two Oscars and is now preserved in theNational Film Preservation Boardfor its cultural and historical significance.
04of 20
Harry Belafonte’s First Movie Role
In 1954, the star broke into Hollywood with the musical filmCarmen Jonesopposite Dorothy Dandridge. The Otto Preminger directed film was nominated for two Oscars and is now preserved in theNational Film Preservation Boardfor its cultural and historical significance.
05of 20
Harry Belafonte in Island in the Sun
Harry Belafonte.Mondadori via Getty
06of 20Harry Belafonte Wins an EmmyBettmann Archive/GettyBelafonte won an Emmy for outstanding performance in a variety or musical program or series in 1960 forThe Revlon Revue: Tonight With Belafonteon CBS. The win was a history-making moment, as Belafonte became the first Black person to win an Emmy.
06of 20
Harry Belafonte Wins an Emmy
Bettmann Archive/Getty
Belafonte won an Emmy for outstanding performance in a variety or musical program or series in 1960 forThe Revlon Revue: Tonight With Belafonteon CBS. The win was a history-making moment, as Belafonte became the first Black person to win an Emmy.
07of 20
Harry Belafonte’s Family
Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty
Belafonte married actress Marguerite Byrd in 1948 and the two had daughters Adrienne and Shari, but they split before Shari was born.
He next married dancer Julie Robinson in 1957 and had daughter Gina and son David. (The actor, Julie and several of his children are seen here in a photo taken before the family boarded a plane in 1962.)
Belafonte now lives in N.Y.C. with his third wife, photographer Pamela Frank. The couple tied the knot in 2008.
08of 20Harry Belafonte at the March on WashingtonArchive Photos/GettyWhile growing his career in the arts, Belafonte became a fierce advocate for civil rights. Here, he joined Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster and Sidney Poitier at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a large civil rights rally that took place in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963.
08of 20
Harry Belafonte at the March on Washington
While growing his career in the arts, Belafonte became a fierce advocate for civil rights. Here, he joined Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster and Sidney Poitier at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a large civil rights rally that took place in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963.
09of 20Harry Belafonte and Martin Luther King, Jr.Hulton Archive/GettyThe starwas a trusted supporter and partner to civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He used his celebrity status to raise funds to support the fight for equal rights and became very close to the King family.Coretta Scott King wrote of Belafonte in her autobiographyMy Life, My Love, My Legacy, “Whenever we got into trouble or when tragedy struck, Harry has always come to our aid, his generous heart wide open.”
09of 20
Harry Belafonte and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hulton Archive/Getty
The starwas a trusted supporter and partner to civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He used his celebrity status to raise funds to support the fight for equal rights and became very close to the King family.
Coretta Scott King wrote of Belafonte in her autobiographyMy Life, My Love, My Legacy, “Whenever we got into trouble or when tragedy struck, Harry has always come to our aid, his generous heart wide open.”
10of 20Harry Belafonte with Black IconsRon Galella/getty imagesCicely Tyson, James Baldwin and Belafonte attended the To Be Young, Gifted And Black Gala on Jan. 2, 1969, at the Cherry Lane Theater in N.Y.C.
10of 20
Harry Belafonte with Black Icons
Ron Galella/getty images
Cicely Tyson, James Baldwin and Belafonte attended the To Be Young, Gifted And Black Gala on Jan. 2, 1969, at the Cherry Lane Theater in N.Y.C.
11of 20Harry Belafonte on the Nat King Cole ShowNBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/GettyHe also appeared on theNat King Cole Showto support his friend Cole, who was the first Black man to host his own nationally televised variety program.
11of 20
Harry Belafonte on the Nat King Cole Show
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
He also appeared on theNat King Cole Showto support his friend Cole, who was the first Black man to host his own nationally televised variety program.
12of 20Harry Belafonte on The Muppet ShowDavid Dagley/ShutterstockIn 1978, the star was rubbing elbows with the likes of Miss Piggy onThe Muppet Show.
12of 20
Harry Belafonte on The Muppet Show
David Dagley/Shutterstock
In 1978, the star was rubbing elbows with the likes of Miss Piggy onThe Muppet Show.
13of 20Harry Belafonte at a Civil Rights RallyBettmann Archive/GettyBelafonte sang to a crowd of over 10,000 civil rights marchers as they gathered in Manhattan’s garment center at a civil rights rally in N.Y.C.
13of 20
Harry Belafonte at a Civil Rights Rally
Belafonte sang to a crowd of over 10,000 civil rights marchers as they gathered in Manhattan’s garment center at a civil rights rally in N.Y.C.
14of 20Harry Belafonte at the United NationsBettmann Archive/GettyThe star took the mic at a news conference at the United Nations headquarters to announce the formation of Artists and Athletes Against Apartheid, alongside actors Gregory Hines and Tony Randall and tennis star Arthur Ashe, in 1983.
14of 20
Harry Belafonte at the United Nations
The star took the mic at a news conference at the United Nations headquarters to announce the formation of Artists and Athletes Against Apartheid, alongside actors Gregory Hines and Tony Randall and tennis star Arthur Ashe, in 1983.
15of 20Harry Belafonte on The Tonight ShowGary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/GettyHost Johnny Carson invited Belafonte ontoThe Tonight Showto share a laugh in 1988.
15of 20
Harry Belafonte on The Tonight Show
Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Host Johnny Carson invited Belafonte ontoThe Tonight Showto share a laugh in 1988.
16of 20Harry Belafonte Wins a Kennedy Center HonorPeter Heimsath/CNP/GettyThe Kennedy Center honored the star — along with actresses Claudette Colbert and Mary Martin, the dancer Alexandra Danilova and the composer William Schuman — for his lifelong contributions to American culture at the 1989 ceremony at the White House.
16of 20
Harry Belafonte Wins a Kennedy Center Honor
Peter Heimsath/CNP/Getty
The Kennedy Center honored the star — along with actresses Claudette Colbert and Mary Martin, the dancer Alexandra Danilova and the composer William Schuman — for his lifelong contributions to American culture at the 1989 ceremony at the White House.
17of 20
Harry Belafonte’s Involvement in Gay Civil Rights
D Dipasupil/Getty
18of 20Harry Belafonte Recognized for His Humanitarian ImpactKevin Winter/GettyBelafonte accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2014, which is given to an actor whose humanitarian efforts have greatly influenced the entertainment industry.
18of 20
Harry Belafonte Recognized for His Humanitarian Impact
Kevin Winter/Getty
Belafonte accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2014, which is given to an actor whose humanitarian efforts have greatly influenced the entertainment industry.
19of 20Harry Belafonte with Wife Pamela FrankTheo Wargo/GettyPamela Frank accompanied husband and honoree Belafonte at the 2016 Library Lions Gala in N.Y.C.
19of 20
Harry Belafonte with Wife Pamela Frank
Theo Wargo/Getty
Pamela Frank accompanied husband and honoree Belafonte at the 2016 Library Lions Gala in N.Y.C.
20of 20
Harry Belafonte Given the Legion of Honour
Kevin Mazur/Getty
source: people.com
