Harry Belafonte, a renowned American singer, actor, and activist, passed away due to congestive heart failure. Belafonte was widely recognized as one of the most successful pop stars of his time and was instrumental in introducing Calypso music to global audiences in the 1950s. His album Calypso, released in 1956, was the first ever million-selling LP by a single artist, with iconic hits such as “The Banana Boat Song,” “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora),” “Jamaica Farewell,” and “Mary’s Boy Child.”
Aside from his music career, Belafonte was a prominent activist and a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Throughout his life, he championed political and humanitarian causes, including the Anti-Apartheid Movement and USA for Africa, and served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1987 until his passing. He was also recognized with numerous accolades, such as three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award, as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 in the Early Influence category.
Born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in 1927, Belafonte grew up in Harlem, New York, with Jamaican-born parents and attended George Washington High School before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. His love for acting started when he was given tickets to see the American Negro Theater in the 1940s, and he later trained at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York City with notable actors such as Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis. Belafonte’s talent as a performer was quickly recognized, and he received a Tony Award for his role in John Murray Anderson’s Almanac in 1954.
Who is Harry Belafonte’s ex-wife, Julie Robinson Belafonte?
Harry Belafonte had a rich personal life that included three marriages. From his first marriage to Marguerite Byrd, Harry had two daughters, Adrienne, and Shari Belafonte. Adrienne and her daughter Rachel Blue have established the Anir Foundation/Experience, an organization that offers humanitarian work in southern Africa. Shari, on the other hand, has excelled in the entertainment industry as a model, photographer, singer, and actress.
In Harry’s second marriage to Julie Robinson, he had two more children, David and Gina. Julie Robinson is a renowned actress and costume designer, best known for her contributions to Lust for Life (1956), A Safe Place (1971), and Buck and the Preacher (1972). She was born on September 14, 1928, in the United States. Robinson’s marriage to Harry Belafonte, which lasted from 1957 to 2008, brought her widespread recognition. Although she is often referred to as Belafonte’s ex-wife, her own achievements and contributions to the entertainment industry are remarkable in their own right. Robinson’s creativity and talent continue to inspire generations of artists and filmmakers.
David worked closely with Harry throughout his life, producing much of his later music, and became the executive director of Belafonte Enterprises Inc. David’s wife, Malena, also collaborated with Harry on one of his tours. Following in her father’s footsteps as a humanitarian and actress, Gina has worked with Harry on several occasions and now leads Sankofa, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting political activism in the arts.
Who is Julie Robinson Belafonte?
Julie Robinson is a renowned actress and costume designer, best known for her contributions to Lust for Life (1956), A Safe Place (1971), and Buck and the Preacher (1972). She was born on September 14, 1928, in the United States. Robinson’s marriage to Harry Belafonte, which lasted from 1957 to 2008, brought her widespread recognition.
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