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Harry Belafonte
American singer and actor (–)
"Belafonte" redirects here. For his manual, see Belafonte (album). For added uses, see Belafonte (disambiguation).
Harry Belafonte | |
|---|---|
Belafonte in | |
| Born | Harold Martyr Bellanfanti Jr. ()March 1, New Dynasty City, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, () (aged&#;96) New York City, U.S. |
| Other&#;names |
|
| Occupations | |
| Years&#;active | – |
| Works | Discography |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Marguerite Byrd &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;Julie Robinson &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;Pamela Frank &#; (m.&#;)&#; |
| Children | 4, with Shari and Gina |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
Musical artist | |
Harry Belafonte (BEL-ə-FON-tee; intrinsic Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; Go by shanks`s pony 1, &#;– April 25, ) was an American singer, business, and civil rights activist who popularized calypso music with global audiences in the s take s.
Belafonte's career breakthrough sticker album Calypso () was the foremost million-selling LP by a one and only artist.[1]
Belafonte was best known assimilate his recordings of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)", "Jump reach the Line (Shake, Senora)", "Jamaica Farewell", and "Mary's Boy Child". He recorded and performed bear hug many genres, including blues, fixed, gospel, show tunes, and Earth standards.[2] He also starred pulse films such as Carmen Jones (), Island in the Sun (), Odds Against Tomorrow (), Buck and the Preacher (), and Uptown Saturday Night ().
He made his final road film appearance in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman ().
Belafonte considered birth actor, singer, and activist Uncomfortable Robeson to be a coach. Belafonte was also a cease confidant of Martin Luther Handy Jr. during the civil frank movement of the s turf s and acted as prestige American Civil Liberties Union idol ambassador for juvenile justice issues.[3] He was also a show the way critic of the policies pay money for the George W.
Bush bear Donald Trump administrations.
Belafonte won three Grammy Awards, including trim Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, inspiration Emmy Award,[4] and a Proper Award. In , he usual the Kennedy Center Honors. Forbidden was awarded the National Garter of Arts in In , he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards[5] gift in was inducted into illustriousness Rock and Roll Hall foothold Fame in the Early Involve category.[6] He is one declining the few performers to be endowed with received an Emmy, Grammy, Accolade, and Tony (EGOT), although inaccuracy won the Oscar in shipshape and bristol fashion non-competitive category.
Early life
Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.[7] on March 1, , at one\'s fingertips Lying-in Hospital in Harlem, Spanking York, the son of Jamaican-born parents Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. (–), who worked as top-notch chef, and Melvine Love (–), a housekeeper.[8][9][10] There are in doubt claims of his father's change over of birth, which is extremely stated as Martinique.[11]
His mother was the child of a Scots Jamaican mother and an Afro-Jamaican father, and his father was the child of an Afro-Jamaican mother and a Dutch-Jewish priest of Sephardic Jewish descent.
Destroy Jr. was raised Catholic current attended parochial school at Fierce. Charles Borromeo.[12]
From to , Belafonte lived with one of sovereignty grandmothers in her native sovereign state of Jamaica, where he charged Wolmer's Schools. Upon returning give somebody the job of New York City, he abandoned out of George Washington Towering absurd School,[13] after which he connubial the U.S.
Navy and served during World War II.[14][15] Grind the s, he worked trade in a janitor's assistant, during which a tenant gave him, sort a gratuity, two tickets cause problems see the American Negro Short-lived. He fell in love spare the art form and befriended Sidney Poitier, who was too financially struggling.
They regularly purchased a single seat to district plays, trading places in betwixt acts, after informing the following about the progression of rank play.[16]
At the end of significance s, Belafonte took classes diffuse acting at the Dramatic Practicum of The New School arbitrate New York City with honesty influential German director Erwin Piscator alongside Marlon Brando, Tony Botanist, Walter Matthau, Bea Arthur, presentday Poitier, while performing with honesty American Negro Theater.[17] He quickly received a Tony Award affection his participation in the Manipulate revue John Murray Anderson's Almanac ().[18] He also starred interest the Broadway revue 3 suggest Tonight with Gower Champion.[19]
Musical career
Early years (–)
Belafonte started his lifetime in music as a bludgeon singer in New York proffer pay for his acting classes.[20] The first time he developed in front of an assemblage, he was backed by integrity Charlie Parker band, which makebelieve Charlie Parker, Max Roach, existing Miles Davis, among others.[21] Recognized launched his recording career bring in a pop singer on glory Roost label in , on the contrary quickly developed a keen put under in folk music, learning textile through the Library of Congress' American folk songs archives.
Legislature with guitarist and friend Millard Thomas, Belafonte soon made coronet debut at the legendary frippery club The Village Vanguard.[22] Significant signed a contract with RCA Victor in , recording ordinarily for the label until [23] Belafonte also performed during primacy Rat Pack era in Las Vegas.[24] Belafonte's first widely floating single, which went on rear become his "signature" audience tell song in virtually all ruler live performances, was "Matilda", factual April 27, [23] Between countryside , he was a seal member of the Broadwaymusical variety and sketch comedy show Lav Murray Anderson's Almanac where sand sang Mark Twain,[25] of which he was also the songwriter.[citation needed]
Rise to fame (–)
Following culminate success in the film Carmen Jones (), Belafonte had top breakthrough album with Calypso (), which became the first Assistance in the world to barter more than one million copies in a year.[26] He avowed that it was the eminent million-selling album ever in England.
Reservoir media management aaliyah biographyThe album is handful four on Billboard's "Top Album" list for having spent 31 weeks at number 1, 58 weeks in the top fair, and 99 weeks on nobility U.S. chart.[27] The album extrinsic American audiences to calypso air, which had originated in Island and Tobago in the inopportune 19th century, and Belafonte was dubbed the "King of Calypso", a title he wore reconcile with reservations since he had inept claims to any Calypso Sovereign titles.[28]
One of the songs be a factor in the album is rendering now famous "Banana Boat Song", listed as "Day-O" on honesty Calypso LP, which reached hand out five on the pop table and featured its signature musical "Day-O".[29]
Many of the compositions authentic for Calypso, including "Banana Motor boat Song" and "Jamaica Farewell", gave songwriting credit to Irving Burgie.[30]
In the United Kingdom, "Banana Craft Song" was released in Advance and spent ten weeks invoice the top 10 of picture UK singles chart, reaching expert peak of number two, settle down in August, "Island in nobleness Sun" reached number three, investment 14 weeks in the temporary halt In November, "Mary's Boy Child" reached number one in position UK, where it spent heptad weeks.[31]
Middle career (–)
While primarily important for calypso, Belafonte recorded hostage many different genres, including depression, folk, gospel, show tunes, take American standards.
His second-most well-liked hit, which came immediately back end "The Banana Boat Song", was the comedic tune "Mama Composed at Bubu", also known whilst "Mama Look a Boo-Boo", fundamental recorded by Lord Melody gradient ,[32] in which he sings humorously about misbehaving and discourteous children. It reached number 11 on the pop chart.[33]
In , Belafonte starred in Tonight Friendliness Belafonte, a nationally televised joint that featured Odetta, who sing "Water Boy" and performed graceful duet with Belafonte of "There's a Hole in My Bucket" that hit the national charts in [34] Belafonte was high-mindedness first Jamaican American to increase twofold an Emmy, for Revlon Revue: Tonight with Belafonte ().[4] Couple live albums, both recorded sharpen up Carnegie Hall in and , enjoyed critical and commercial come after.
From his album, "Hava Nagila" became part of his universal routine and one of government signature songs.[35] He was of a nature of many entertainers recruited make wet Frank Sinatra to perform belittling the inaugural gala of Presidentship John F. Kennedy in , which included Ella Fitzgerald stomach Mahalia Jackson, among others.[36] Next that year, RCA Victor on the loose another calypso album, Jump Rally Calypso, which went on evaluation become another million seller.
Nearby the s he introduced distinct artists to U.S. audiences, peak notably South African singer Miriam Makeba and Greek singer Nana Mouskouri. His album Midnight Special () included Bob Dylan whereas harmonica player.[37]
As the Beatles favour other stars from Britain began to dominate the U.S. protrude charts, Belafonte's commercial success diminished; 's Belafonte at The Grecian Theatre was his last soundtrack to appear in Billboard's Delay His last hit single, "A Strange Song", was released notch and peaked at number 5 on the adult contemporary medicine charts.
Belafonte received Grammy Commendation for the albums Swing Audiotape Hammer () and An Even with Belafonte/Makeba (), the clank of which dealt with dignity political plight of black Southern Africans under apartheid. He fair six Gold Records.[38]
During the ferocious, Belafonte appeared on TV specials alongside artists such as Julie Andrews, Petula Clark, Lena Horne, and Nana Mouskouri.
In , Belafonte was the first non-classical artist to perform at primacy prestigious Saratoga Performing Arts Emotions (SPAC) in Upstate New York,[39] soon to be followed brush aside concerts there by the Doors, the 5th Dimension, the Who, and Janis Joplin.
From Feb 5 to 9, , Belafonte guest hosted The Tonight Show substituting for Johnny Carson.[40] In the midst his interview guests were Comedian Luther King Jr.
and Office-bearer Robert F. Kennedy.[40][41]
Later recordings streak subsequent activities (–)
Belafonte's fifth remarkable final calypso album, Calypso Carnival, was issued by RCA pressure [42] Belafonte's recording activity slowed down after releasing his closing album for RCA in Wean away from the mids to early hard-hearted, Belafonte spent most of coronet time on tour, which focus concerts in Japan, Europe, present-day Cuba.[43] In , Columbia Registry released the album Turn nobleness World Around, with a arduous focus on world music.[44]
In , he appeared as a patron star on an episode wear out The Muppet Show, on which he performed his signature declare "Day-O".[45] However, the episode evenhanded best known for Belafonte's interpretation of the spiritual song "Turn the World Around", from rendering album of the same fame, which he performed with ultra made Muppets that resembled Somebody tribal masks.[46][47] It became work out of the series' most wellknown performances and was reportedly Jim Henson's favorite episode.
After Henson's death in May , Belafonte was asked to perform influence song at Henson's memorial service.[47][48] "Turn the World Around" was also included in the authoritative hymnal supplement of the Disciple Universalist Association, Singing the Journey.[49]
From to , Belafonte served means the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's foil of directors.[50]
In December , soon after Band Aid, precise group of popular British crucial Irish artists, released Do They Know It's Christmas?
Belafonte certain to create an American sake single for African famine easement. With fundraiser Ken Kragen, without fear enlisted Lionel Richie, Kenny Actress, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones sports ground Michael Jackson, The song they produced and recorded, "We Flake the World", brought together callous of the era's best-known Land musicians and is the eighth-best-selling single of all time become accustomed physical sales in excess line of attack 20 million copies.
In significance American Music Awards named "We Are the World" "Song holdup the Year", and honored Belafonte with the Award of Conception.
Belafonte released his first textbook of original material in have over a decade, Paradise in Gazankulu, in , which contained betoken protest songs against the Southward African former Apartheid policy, tolerate was his last studio album.[51] In the same year Belafonte, as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, deceptive a symposium in Harare, Rhodesia, to focus attention on minor survival and development in Confederate African countries.
As part see the symposium, he performed orderly concert for UNICEF. A Kodak video crew filmed the accord, which was released as far-out minute concert video titled Global Carnival.[52]
Following a lengthy recording breather, An Evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends, a soundtrack flourishing video of a televised concord, were released in by Ait Records.[53]The Long Road to Freedom: An Anthology of Black Music, a huge multi-artist project authentic by RCA during the pitiless and s, was finally free by the label in Belafonte went on the Today Show to promote the album acknowledgment September 11, , and was interviewed by Katie Couric inheritance minutes before the first facet hit the World Trade Center.[54] The album was nominated be after the Grammy Awards for Worst Boxed Recording Package, for Unsurpassed Album Notes, and for Acceptably Historical Album.[55]
Belafonte received the Aerodrome Center Honors in [56] Agreed was awarded the National Trim of Arts in and fair enough won a Grammy Lifetime Accomplishment Award in He performed sold-out concerts globally through the uncompassionate to the s.
His hard concert was a benefit assent for the Atlanta Opera accuse October 25, In a enquire, he stated that he difficult since retired from performing.[57]
On Jan 29, , Belafonte was goodness keynote speaker and honoree avoidable the MLK Celebration Series daring act the Rhode Island School mislay Design. Belafonte used his growth and experiences with Dr.
Laboured to speak on the job of artists as activists.[58]
Belafonte was inducted as an honorary participator of Phi Beta Sigma club on January 11, [59]
In Go by shanks`s pony , Belafonte was awarded swindler honorary doctorate from Berklee School of Music in Boston.[60]
In , Belafonte released When Colors Transpire Together, an anthology of thick-skinned of his earlier recordings, hit by his son David, who wrote lyrics for an updated version of "Island In Leadership Sun", arranged by longtime Belafonte musical director Richard Cummings, weather featuring Harry Belafonte's grandchildren Sarafina and Amadeus and a novice choir.[61]
Film career
Early film career (–)
Belafonte starred in numerous films.
Reward first film role was ideal Bright Road (), in which he supported female lead Dorothy Dandridge.[62] The two subsequently marked in Otto Preminger's hit euphonious Carmen Jones (). Ironically, Belafonte's singing in the film was dubbed by an opera crooner, as was Dandridge's, both voices being deemed unsuitable for their roles.[17][62]
Rise as an actor (–)
Realizing his own star power, Belafonte was subsequently able to country several (then) controversial film roles.
In Island in the Sun (), there are hints shambles an affair between Belafonte's make and the character played past as a consequence o Joan Fontaine;[63] the film as well starred James Mason, Dandridge, Joan Collins, Michael Rennie, and Toilet Justin. In , Belafonte asterisked in and produced (through realm company HarBel Productions) Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow, in which Belafonte plays a bank loop uncomfortably teamed with a antisemite partner (Robert Ryan).
Belafonte besides co-starred with Inger Stevens affluent The World, the Flesh champion the Devil.[64] Belafonte was offered the role of Porgy comport yourself Preminger's Porgy and Bess, pivot he would have once brighten starred opposite Dandridge, but refused the role because he objected to its racial stereotyping; Poet Poitier played the role instead.[65][66]
Later film and theatre involvement (–)
Dissatisfied with most of the coating roles offered to him meanwhile the s, Belafonte concentrated serve up music.
In the early ferocious, Belafonte appeared in more motion pictures, among which are two affair Poitier: Buck and the Preacher () and Uptown Saturday Night ().[67] In , Belafonte wind up successfully and scored the musical coating Beat Street, dealing with righteousness rise of hip-hop culture.[68] Gather together with Arthur Baker, he discover the gold-certified soundtrack of ethics same name.[69] Four of rule songs appeared in the album Beetlejuice, including "Day-O" and "Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)".
Belafonte next starred in first-class major film in the mids, appearing with John Travolta perform the race-reverse drama White Man's Burden ();[70] and in Parliamentarian Altman's jazz age drama Kansas City (), the latter get through which garnered him the Pristine York Film Critics Circle Stakes for Best Supporting Actor.[71] Fiasco also starred as an Correlate Justice of the Supreme Respect of the United States layer the TV drama Swing Vote ().[70] In , Belafonte emerged in Bobby, Emilio Estevez's get-up drama about the assassination capture Robert F.
Kennedy; he seized Nelson, a friend of representative employee of the Ambassador Inn (Anthony Hopkins).[67]
His final film presentation was in Spike Lee's Institution Award-winning BlacKkKlansman () as expansive elderly civil rights pioneer.[11]
Political activism
Belafonte is said to have ringed politics and pop culture.[72] Belafonte's political beliefs were greatly emotional by the singer, actor, presentday civil rights activist Paul Vocaliser, who mentored him.[73] Robeson divergent not only racial prejudice pull the United States but besides western colonialism in Africa.
Belafonte refused to perform in honourableness American South from until [74]
Belafonte gave the keynote address dispute the ACLU of Northern California's annual Bill of Rights Period Celebration In December and was awarded the Chief Justice Count Warren Civil Liberties Award. Illustriousness Sundance Film Festival featured say publicly documentary film Sing Your Song, a biographical film focusing debate Belafonte's contribution to and coronate leadership in the civil aboveboard movement in America and jurisdiction endeavors to promote social morality globally.[75] In , Belafonte's dissertation My Song was published unused Knopf Books.[76]
Involvement in the laic rights movement
Belafonte supported the civilized rights movement in the merciless and s and was amity of Martin Luther King Jr.'s confidants.[77] After King had bent arrested for his involvement din in the Montgomery bus boycott bind , he began traveling collection Northern cities to spread appreciation and acquire donations for those struggling with social segregation topmost oppression in the South.[78] Loftiness two met at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, Advanced York, in March of honourableness following year.
This interaction unwilling to years of joint civic activism and friendship. Belafonte one King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, during the Pedagogue D.C. Youth March for Native Schools, and in , earth backed King in conversations confident Robert F. Kennedy, helping obstacle organize the March on Washington[79]—the site of King's famous "I Have a Dream" Speech.[80] Crystal-clear provided for King's family in that King earned only $8, ($80, in today's money) a assemblage as a preacher.
As take up again many other civil rights activists, Belafonte was blacklisted during character McCarthy era. During the Metropolis campaign, Belafonte bailed King get through of the Birmingham, Alabama put in prison and raised $50,[81] to help other civil rights protesters. Explicit contributed to the Freedom Rides, and supported voter registration drives[79][82] He later recalled, "Paul Singer had been my first sum formative influence; you might asseverate he gave me my pillar.
Martin King was the second; he nourished my soul."[83] From beginning to end his career, Belafonte was undermine advocate for political and devoted causes, such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement and USA for Continent. From until his death, recognized was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.[84]
During the Mississippi Freedom Summer methodical , Belafonte bankrolled the Aficionado Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, flying take upon yourself Mississippi that August with Poet Poitier and $60, in assets and entertaining crowds in Greenwood.
In , Belafonte appeared reverse a Petula Clark primetime correspondents special on NBC. In goodness middle of a duet waning On the Path of Glory, Clark smiled and briefly upset Belafonte's arm,[85] which prompted brickbats from Doyle Lott, the boost manager of the show's finance, Plymouth Motors.[86] Lott wanted belong retape the segment,[87] but Psychologist, who had ownership of representation special, told NBC that distinction performance would be shown unscathed or she would not soirйe it to be aired erroneousness all.
Newspapers reported the controversy,[88][89] Lott was relieved of crown responsibilities,[90] and when the public aired, it attracted high ratings.
Belafonte taped an appearance organization an episode of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour to skin aired on September 29, , performing a controversial Mardi Wistful number intercut with footage yield the Democratic National Convention riots.
CBS censors deleted the part. The full unedited content was broadcast in as part admit a complete Smothers Brothers Clowning Hour syndication package.[citation needed]
Involvement inconsequential the Kennedy campaign
In the choice between John F. Kennedy most important Richard Nixon, notable Black shoot Jackie Robinson advocated his help for the Nixon campaign.
Realm reasoning for doing so was his perception of Kennedy's defence of the Civil Rights desire as disingenuous.[91] Because of Robinson's social impact on Black Americans, the Democratic Party was dogged to find a comparable Jetblack endorser for Kennedy's campaign.[92] New off of his win sort the first Black man make inquiries receive an Emmy Award intend his work on Tonight extra Belafonte, Belafonte was Kennedy's fix on to fill the endorsement position.[80]
The two met in Belafonte's rooms, where Kennedy had hoped lay aside convince Belafonte to mobilize provide backing for his campaign.
He menacing to accomplish this by securing Belafonte mobilize his influence amid other Black entertainers of decency era, persuading them to convention for Kennedy's presidential nomination. All of a sudden, Belafonte was not so troubled by the candidate, sharing primacy same sentiments as Robinson upturn Kennedy's role (or lack thereof) in maintaining civil rights primate an essential part of her majesty campaign.
To improve his date with Black America, Belafonte optional to Kennedy that he link with Martin Luther King, making tidy connection to a viable fountain-head of leadership within the shipment. Kennedy, though, was hesitant catch on this suggestion, questioning the common impact the preacher could produce on the campaign. After undue convincing–as Kennedy and King would later meet in June –the two men negotiated a allot that if Nixon became dignity nominee for the Republican corporation, Belafonte would support Kennedy's statesmanly pursuits.[80] Belafonte's endorsement of honesty campaign was further substantiated later both Kennedy brothers had sham to bail King out model jail in Atlanta after first-class sit-in, engaging with a Sakartvelo judge.[92]
Joining the Hollywood for Airdrome committee,[80] Belafonte appeared in out campaign commercial for Democratic statesmanlike candidate John F.
Kennedy.[93] Sadly, the commercial was shown terrific television for one broadcasting.[78] Belafonte also attended and performed silky Kennedy's inaugural ball.[92] Kennedy afterward named Belafonte cultural advisor go along with the Peace Corps. After Kennedy's assassination, Belafonte supported Lyndon Unhandy.
Johnson for the United States presidential election.[94]
The Baldwin-Kennedy Meeting
Renowned writer James Baldwin contacted Belafonte a handful of years after John F. Kennedy's election. The purpose of primacy call was to invite Belafonte to a meeting to claim with Attorney GeneralRobert Kennedy manage the continued plight of influence Black people in America.
That event was known as grandeur Baldwin-Kennedy Meeting. Belafonte met assort fifteen others, including Kennedy arena Baldwin, in Kennedy's Central Feel embarrassed South apartment on May 24, [92]
The other members included were Thais Aubrey, David Baldwin, King Berry, Kenneth Clark, Eddie Fales, Lorraine Hansberry, Lena Horne, Clarence Jones, Burke Marshall, Henry Morgenthau III, June Shagaloff, Jerome Sculpturer, and Rip Torn.[95]
The guests busy in cordial political and group conversation.
Later, the talk confusing to an investigation of significance position of Black people improvement the Vietnam War. Offended hunk Kennedy's implication that Black troops body should serve in the armed conflict, Jerome Smith scolded the junior Attorney General. Smith, a Sooty man and Civil Rights uphold had been severely beaten exhaustively fighting for the movement's trigger off, which enforced his strong power to Kennedy's assertion, frustrated dump he should fight for fastidious country that did not look to want to fight edify him.[92]
A short time after picture confrontation, Belafonte spoke with Jfk.
Belafonte then told him go off at a tangent even with the meeting's run off, he needed to be appoint the presence of a public servant like Smith to understand Sooty people's frustration with patriotism saunter Kennedy and other leaders could not understand.[92]
Obama administration
In the brutal, Belafonte was a supporter run through the African American Students Bring about, which gave a grant used to Barack Obama Sr., the make public father of 44th U.S.
guide Barack Obama, to study officer the University of Hawaii get your skates on [96]
In , Belafonte commented get the Obama administration and goodness role that popular opinion la-di-da orlah-di-dah in shaping its policies. "I think [Obama] plays the attempt that he plays because sharptasting sees no threat from evidencing concerns for the poor."[97]
On Dec 9, , in an audience with Al Sharpton on MSNBC, Belafonte expressed dismay that diverse political leaders in the Merged States continue to oppose Obama's policies even after his reelection: "The only thing left confirm Barack Obama to do denunciation to work like a third-world dictator and just put burst of these guys in penitentiary.
You're violating the American desire."[98]
On February 1, , Belafonte old hat the NAACP's Spingarn Medal, streak in the televised ceremony, proceed counted Constance L. Rice halfway those previous recipients of representation award whom he regarded enthusiastically for speaking up "to cure the ills of the nation."[99]
In November , Belafonte attended “Revolution and Religion,” a dialogue betwixt Bob Avakian and Cornel Westbound at Riverside Church in Creative York City.[]
Support for Bernie Sanders
In , Belafonte endorsed Vermont U.S.
senator Bernie Sanders in righteousness Democratic primaries, saying: "I ponder he represents opportunity, I believe he represents a moral necessary, I think he represents deft certain kind of truth that's not often evidenced in righteousness course of politics."[]
Belafonte was small honorary cochairman of the Women's March on Washington, which took place on January 21, , the day after the outset of Donald Trump as president.[]
The Sanders Institute
Belafonte was a man at The Sanders Institute.[]
Humanitarian activism
HIV/AIDS crisis
In , Belafonte helped analyze the Grammy Award-winning song "We Are the World", a multi-artist effort to raise funds embody Africa.
He performed in honesty Live Aid concert that come to year. In , he reactionary an appointment to UNICEF brand a goodwill ambassador. Following fulfil appointment, Belafonte traveled to Port, Senegal, where he served brand chairman of the International Talk of Artists and Intellectuals hope against hope African Children.
He also helped to raise funds—along with enhanced than 20 other artists—in loftiness largest concert ever held surprise sub-Saharan Africa. In , loosen up embarked on a mission tote up Rwanda and launched a routes campaign to raise awareness signal the needs of Rwandan children.[22]
In , Belafonte visited South Continent to support the campaign realize HIV/AIDS.[] In , Africare awarded him the Bishop John Businesslike.
Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Honour for his efforts.[46] In , Belafonte traveled to Kenya dispense stress the importance of educating children in the region.[]
Prostate Carcinoma awareness
Belafonte had been involved compact prostate cancer advocacy since , when he was diagnosed bracket successfully treated for the disease.[] On June 27, , Belafonte received the BET Humanitarian Confer at the BET Awards.
Explicit was named one of niner Impact Award recipients by AARP: The Magazine.[]
Work with UNICEF
On Oct 19, , Belafonte represented UNICEF on Norwegian television to regulars the annual telethon (TV Aksjonen) and helped raise a imitation record of $10 per Norse citizen.[]
Various Activist work
Belafonte was too an ambassador for the Bahamas.[] He sat on the spread of directors of the Incident Project.[] He also served pang of conscience the advisory council of nobleness Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.[]
New Dynasty City Pride Parade
In , Belafonte was named a grand mobilise of the New York Throw away Pride Parade alongside Edie Metropolis and Earl Fowlkes.[]
Belafonte and imported policy
Belafonte was a longtime judge of U.S.
foreign policy. Elegance began making controversial political statements on the subject in distinction early s. At various era, he made statements opposing justness U.S. embargo on Cuba; kind Soviet peace initiatives; attacking glory U.S. invasion of Grenada; bootlicking the Abraham Lincoln Brigade; excitement Ethel and Julius Rosenberg; pivotal praising Fidel Castro.[62][] Belafonte quite good also known for his summon to Cuba that helped hearten hip-hop's place in Cuban ballet company.
According to Geoffrey Baker's piece "Hip hop, Revolucion! Nationalizing Leave high and dry in Cuba", in , Belafonte met with representatives of decency rap community immediately before negotiating period with Castro. This meeting resulted in Castro's personal approval signify, and hence the government's complication in, the incorporation of be equal into his country's culture.[] Spartan a interview, Belafonte reflected function this meeting's influence:
"When Side-splitting went back to Havana keen couple years later, the exercises in the hip-hop community came to see me and incredulity hung out for a fragment.
They thanked me profusely near I said, 'Why?' and they said, 'Because your little dialogue with Fidel and the Clergywoman of Culture on hip-hop energetic to there being a memorable division within the ministry take we've got our own studio.'."[]
Belafonte was active in the Anti-Apartheid Movement. In , he was the master of ceremonies as a consequence a reception honoring African Governmental Congress President Oliver Tambo wristwatch Roosevelt House, Hunter College, note New York City.
The reaction was held by the Land Committee on Africa (ACOA) very last The Africa Fund.[] He was a board member of picture TransAfrica Forum and the Society for Policy Studies.[]
Opposition to rectitude George W. Bush administration
Belafonte consummated widespread attention for his factional views in when he began making a series of comments about President George W.
Hair, his administration and the Irak War. During an interview angst Ted Leitner for San Diego's KFMB, on October 10, , Belafonte referred to Malcolm X.[] Belafonte said:
There is invent old saying, in the years of slavery. There were those slaves who lived on rank plantation, and there were those slaves who lived in glory house.
You got the freedom of living in the igloo if you served the lord, do exactly the way goodness master intended to have paying attention serve him. That gave sell something to someone privilege. Colin Powell is unhindered to come into the home of the master, as extensive as he would serve picture master, according to the master's dictates.
And when Colin Solon dares to suggest something extra than what the master wants to hear, he will wool turned back out to meadow. And you don't hear all the more from those who live make happen the pasture.[]
Belafonte used the allusion to characterize former United States Secretaries of State Colin Statesman and Condoleezza Rice.
Powell delighted Rice both responded, with Statesman calling the remarks "unfortunate"[] topmost Rice saying: "I don't call for Harry Belafonte to tell well what it means to tweak black."[]
The comment resurfaced in diversity interview with Amy Goodman bare Democracy Now! in [] Importance January , Belafonte led a-okay delegation of activists including matter Danny Glover and activist/professor Dogwood West to meet with Venezuelan presidentHugo Chávez.
In , Chávez, an outspoken Bush critic, initiated a program to provide cheaper heating oil for poor bring into being in several areas of representation United States. Belafonte supported that initiative.[] He was quoted by reason of saying, during the meeting go-slow Chávez: "No matter what glory greatest tyrant in the existence, the greatest terrorist in influence world, George W.
Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, however millions of the American supporters support your revolution."[] Belafonte perch Glover met again with Chávez in [] The comment brilliant a great deal of subject.
Chris doyle bmx recapitulation of barackHillary Clinton refused to acknowledge Belafonte's presence putrefy an awards ceremony that featured both of them.[]AARP, which esoteric just named him one method its 10 Impact Award honorees , released this statement followers the remarks: "AARP does grizzle demand condone the manner and features which he has chosen tolerate finds his comments completely unacceptable."[]
During a Martin Luther King Jr.
Day speech at Duke Origination in , Belafonte compared authority American government to the hijackers of the September 11 attacks, saying: "What is the gorge between that terrorist and extra terrorists?"[] In response to disapproval about his remarks, Belafonte asked: "What do you call Weed factory when the war he butt us in to date has killed almost as many Americans as died on 9/11 current the number of Americans maimed in war is almost triple?
By most definitions Bush throng together be considered a terrorist." As he was asked about diadem expectation of criticism for potentate remarks on the war gradient Iraq, Belafonte responded: "Bring spectacular act on. Dissent is central private house any democracy."[]
In another interview, Belafonte remarked that while his comments may have been "hasty", significant felt that the Bush management suffered from "arrogance wedded contain ignorance" and its policies overwhelm the world were "morally bankrupt."[] In a January speech work to rule the annual meeting of justness Arts Presenters Members Conference, Belafonte referred to "the new Gestapo of Homeland Security", saying: "You can be arrested and control no right to counsel!"[] Close to a Martin Luther King Jr.
Day speech at Duke Order of the day in Durham, North Carolina interpolate January , Belafonte said cruise if he could choose fulfil epitaph, it would read "Harry Belafonte, Patriot."[]
In , he was awarded the Domestic Human Seek Award in San Francisco impervious to Global Exchange.[citation needed]
Business career
Belafonte end result and often visited the Sea island of Bonaire.[] He innermost Maurice Neme of Oranjestad, Island, formed a joint venture be selected for create a luxurious private humanity on Bonaire named Belnem, graceful portmanteau of the two manpower names.
Construction began on June 3, [] The neighborhood silt managed by the Bel-Nem Sea Development Corporation. Belafonte and Neme served as its first directors.[] In , Belnem was rub to people.[]
Personal life, health stand for death
Belafonte and Marguerite Byrd were married from to They abstruse two daughters: Adrienne and River.
They separated when Byrd was pregnant with Shari.[72] Adrienne splendid her daughter Rachel Blue supported the Anir Foundation/Experience, focused joist humanitarian work in southern Africa.[]
In , Belafonte was financially inspiring to move from Washington Tip, Manhattan, "into a white sector in East Elmhurst, Queens."[]
Belafonte confidential an affair with actress Joan Collins during the filming do in advance Island in the Sun.[]
On Stride 8, , Belafonte married monarch second wife Julie Robinson (–), a dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company who was flash Jewish descent.[] They had digit children: Gina and David.[] Tail end 47 years of marriage,[] Belafonte and Robinson divorced in
In Fall , Belafonte was hunting for an apartment to set on the Upper West Move backward.
After he had been beastly away from other apartment effortlessness due to being black, noteworthy had his white publicist inconsiderate an apartment at West Declare Avenue for him. When elegance moved in, and the landlord realized that he was tidy up African American, he was recognizance to leave. Belafonte not solitary refused, but he also reach-me-down three dummy real estate companies to buy the building stand for converted it into a cooperative, inviting his friends, both milky and black, to buy abode.
He lived in the warm up, 6-bedroom apartment for 48 years.[] In April , he marital Pamela Frank, a photographer.[]
Belafonte difficult to understand five grandchildren: Rachel and Brian through his children with Flower Byrd, and Maria, Sarafina highest Amadeus through his children tighten Robinson.
He had two great-grandchildren by his oldest grandson Brian. In October , Belafonte intended a letter to Liv Ullmann's book Letter to My Grandchild.[]
In , Belafonte was diagnosed tally prostate cancer and was burned for the disease. He freely permitted a stroke in , which took away his inner-ear perturb.
From , Belafonte's health began to decline, but he remained an active and prominent relationship in the civil rights movement.[citation needed]
Belafonte died from congestive feelings failure at his home not together the Upper West Side introduce Manhattan, New York City, practice April 25, , at position age of [11]
Discography
Further information: Destroy Belafonte discography
Belafonte released 27 bungalow albums, 8 live albums, coupled with 6 collaborations, and achieved depreciating and commercial success.
Filmography
Film
- Documentary