Harry Belafonte American pop singer Date of Birth: 01.03.1927 Country: USA

1. Biography of Harry Belafonte
2. Early Career
3. Activism and Return to Film
4. Later Career

Biography of Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte, born Harold George Belafonte, on March 1, 1927, in New York, is an American singer and actor. He graduated from the Actor's Studio, the Dramatic Laboratory at the New School for Social Research, and studied at the American Negro Theatre. Becoming a popular singer in the 1950s, Belafonte had a long and varied career as an actor, producer, composer, and arranger.

Early Career

Belafonte made his film debut in 1953 in the movie "Bright Road". Over the next few years, he appeared in "Island in the Sun" (1957) and "Odds Against Tomorrow" (1959). While his work in film was sporadic, Belafonte found more consistent success in television. He became the first black performer to win an Emmy Award for his musical special "Tonight with Belafonte" in 1959.

Activism and Return to Film

The film "The World, the Flesh and the Devil" (1959) played a significant role in shaping Belafonte's activism. He became an activist in the anti-racist movement and used his platform to raise awareness about social issues. After an eleven-year hiatus from acting, Belafonte returned to the big screen in the early 1970s with films such as "The Angel Levine" (1970), "Buck and the Preacher" (1972), and "Uptown Saturday Night" (1974). Although acting was not his primary focus, Belafonte continued to act with success.

Later Career

In his later years, Belafonte's notable works include Robert Altman's film "Kansas City" (1996) and the thought-provoking examination of racism in the movie "White Man's Burden" (1995). While he remained involved in various artistic endeavors, Belafonte's impact as a civil rights activist and his contributions to the entertainment industry remain a significant part of his legacy.