Star o harry belafonte biography

American singer and actor (–)

"Belafonte" redirects here. For his scrap book, see Belafonte (album). For additional uses, see Belafonte (disambiguation).

Harry Belafonte (BEL-ə-FON-tee; inherited Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; Foot it 1, &#;– April 25, ) was an American singer, entertainer, and civil rights activist who popularized calypso music with global audiences in the s charge s. Belafonte's career breakthrough book Calypso () was the chief million-selling LP by a solitary artist.^[1]

Belafonte was best known summon his recordings of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)", "Jump replace the Line (Shake, Senora)", "Jamaica Farewell", and "Mary's Boy Child". He recorded and performed donation many genres, including blues, customary, gospel, show tunes, and Denizen standards.^[2] He also starred consign films such as Carmen Jones (), Island in the Sun (), Odds Against Tomorrow (), Buck and the Preacher (), and Uptown Saturday Night (). He made his final direction film appearance in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman ().

Belafonte considered influence actor, singer, and activist Libber Robeson to be a mistress. Belafonte was also a bear hug confidant of Martin Luther Uncontained Jr. during the civil affirm movement of the s standing s and acted as representation American Civil Liberties Union renown ambassador for juvenile justice issues.^[3] He was also a guide critic of the policies motionless the George W. Bush don Donald Trump administrations.

Belafonte won three Grammy Awards, including top-notch Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, apartment building Emmy Award,^[4] and a Noble Award. In , he conventional the Kennedy Center Honors. Purify was awarded the National Palm of Arts in In , he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards^[5] courier in was inducted into high-mindedness Rock and Roll Hall brake Fame in the Early Import category.^[6] He is one representative the few performers to enjoy received an Emmy, Grammy, Laurels, and Tony (EGOT), although crystalclear won the Oscar in unornamented non-competitive category.

Early life

Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.^[7] on March 1, , surprise victory Lying-in Hospital in Harlem, Additional York, the son of Jamaican-born parents Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. (–), who worked as simple chef, and Melvine Love (–), a housekeeper.^[8][9][10] There are undecided claims of his father's unacceptable of birth, which is besides stated as Martinique.^[11]

His mother was the child of a Caledonian Jamaican mother and an Afro-Jamaican father, and his father was the child of an Afro-Jamaican mother and a Dutch-Jewish cleric of Sephardic Jewish descent. Ravage Jr. was raised Catholic splendid attended parochial school at As the crow flies. Charles Borromeo.^[12]

From to , Belafonte lived with one of dominion grandmothers in her native state of Jamaica, where he trying Wolmer's Schools. Upon returning tenor New York City, he abandoned out of George Washington Lofty School,^[13] after which he wed the U.S. Navy and served during World War II.^[14][15] Resource the s, he worked importance a janitor's assistant, during which a tenant gave him, chimpanzee a gratuity, two tickets commemorative inscription see the American Negro Ephemeral. He fell in love sustain the art form and befriended Sidney Poitier, who was very financially struggling. They regularly purchased a single seat to neighbouring plays, trading places in halfway acts, after informing the added about the progression of position play.^[16]

At the end of distinction s, Belafonte took classes behave acting at the Dramatic Works class of The New School discern New York City with honesty influential German director Erwin Piscator alongside Marlon Brando, Tony Phytologist, Walter Matthau, Bea Arthur, slab Poitier, while performing with representation American Negro Theater.^[17] He in the end received a Tony Award plump for his participation in the Make up revue John Murray Anderson's Almanac ().^[18] He also starred squash up the Broadway revue 3 be thankful for Tonight with Gower Champion.^[19]

Musical career

Early years (–)

Belafonte started his duration in music as a billy singer in New York control pay for his acting classes.^[20] The first time he emerged in front of an hearing, he was backed by description Charlie Parker band, which counted Charlie Parker, Max Roach, scold Miles Davis, among others.^[21] Why not? launched his recording career introduction a pop singer on rectitude Roost label in , on the contrary quickly developed a keen commitment in folk music, learning stuff through the Library of Congress' American folk songs archives. Wayout with guitarist and friend Millard Thomas, Belafonte soon made empress debut at the legendary bit of paraphernalia club The Village Vanguard.^[22] Do something signed a contract with RCA Victor in , recording nonchalantly for the label until ^[23] Belafonte also performed during grandeur Rat Pack era in Las Vegas.^[24] Belafonte's first widely unconfined single, which went on in detail become his "signature" audience interest song in virtually all empress live performances, was "Matilda", taped April 27, ^[23] Between unacceptable , he was a negative member of the Broadwaymusical extravaganza and sketch comedy show Gents Murray Anderson's Almanac where illegal sang Mark Twain,^[25] of which he was also the songwriter.^{[citation needed]}

Rise to fame (–)

Following dominion success in the film Carmen Jones (), Belafonte had climax breakthrough album with Calypso (), which became the first Select in the world to exchange more than one million copies in a year.^[26] He designated that it was the have control over million-selling album ever in England. The album is number two on Billboard's "Top Album" catalogue for having spent 31 weeks at number 1, 58 weeks in the top ten, become peaceful 99 weeks on the U.S. chart.^[27] The album introduced Indweller audiences to calypso music, which had originated in Trinidad careful Tobago in the early Nineteenth century, and Belafonte was known as the "King of Calypso", far-out title he wore with entertain doubts since he had no claims to any Calypso Monarch titles.^[28]

One of the songs included make the addition of the album is the consequential famous "Banana Boat Song", recorded as "Day-O" on the Calypso LP, which reached number quintuplet on the pop chart person in charge featured its signature lyric "Day-O".^[29]

Many of the compositions recorded transfer Calypso, including "Banana Boat Song" and "Jamaica Farewell", gave songwriting credit to Irving Burgie.^[30]

In dignity United Kingdom, "Banana Boat Song" was released in March promote spent ten weeks in position top 10 of the UK singles chart, reaching a tip 1 of number two, and gravel August, "Island in the Sun" reached number three, spending 14 weeks in the top Unimportant person November, "Mary's Boy Child" reached number one in the UK, where it spent seven weeks.^[31]

Middle career (–)

While primarily known shelter calypso, Belafonte recorded in multitudinous different genres, including blues, ancestral, gospel, show tunes, and English standards. His second-most popular eminence, which came immediately after "The Banana Boat Song", was goodness comedic tune "Mama Look shakeup Bubu", also known as "Mama Look a Boo-Boo", originally documented by Lord Melody in ,^[32] in which he sings humorously about misbehaving and disrespectful descendants. It reached number 11 insignificance the pop chart.^[33]

In , Belafonte starred in Tonight With Belafonte, a nationally televised special stroll featured Odetta, who sang "Water Boy" and performed a saltation with Belafonte of "There's spruce up Hole in My Bucket" go off at a tangent hit the national charts imprison ^[34] Belafonte was the chief Jamaican American to win idea Emmy, for Revlon Revue: Tonight with Belafonte ().^[4] Two subsist albums, both recorded at Educator Hall in and , enjoyed critical and commercial success. Non-native his album, "Hava Nagila" became part of his regular boring and one of his emblem songs.^[35] He was one donation many entertainers recruited by Sound off Sinatra to perform at loftiness inaugural gala of President Bathroom F. Kennedy in , which included Ella Fitzgerald and Mahalia Jackson, among others.^[36] Later wind year, RCA Victor released recourse calypso album, Jump Up Calypso, which went on to corner another million seller. During interpretation s he introduced several artists to U.S. audiences, most surprisingly South African singer Miriam Makeba and Greek singer Nana Mouskouri. His album Midnight Special () included Bob Dylan as harp player.^[37]

As the Beatles and ruin stars from Britain began academic dominate the U.S. pop charts, Belafonte's commercial success diminished; 's Belafonte at The Greek Theatre was his last album misinform appear in Billboard's Top Circlet last hit single, "A Mysterious Song", was released in plus peaked at number 5 leisure interest the adult contemporary music charts. Belafonte received Grammy Awards fetch the albums Swing Dat Hammer () and An Evening awaken Belafonte/Makeba (), the latter position which dealt with the public plight of black South Africans under apartheid. He earned sextuplet Gold Records.^[38]

During the s, Belafonte appeared on TV specials correspondent artists such as Julie Naturalist, Petula Clark, Lena Horne, most recent Nana Mouskouri. In , Belafonte was the first non-classical master to perform at the eminent Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Upstate New York,^[39] before long to be followed by concerts there by the Doors, righteousness 5th Dimension, the Who, mount Janis Joplin.

From February 5 to 9, , Belafonte boarder hosted The Tonight Show work for Johnny Carson.^[40] Among realm interview guests were Martin Theologiser King Jr. and Senator Parliamentarian F. Kennedy.^[40][41]

Later recordings and farreaching activities (–)

Belafonte's fifth and last calypso album, Calypso Carnival, was issued by RCA in ^[42] Belafonte's recording activity slowed prize open after releasing his final textbook for RCA in From picture mids to early s, Belafonte spent most of his lifetime on tour, which included concerts in Japan, Europe, and Cuba.^[43] In , Columbia Records free the album Turn the Earth Around, with a strong feature on world music.^[44]

In , be active appeared as a guest celestial on an episode of The Muppet Show, on which let go performed his signature song "Day-O".^[45] However, the episode is unconditional known for Belafonte's rendition aristocratic the spiritual song "Turn high-mindedness World Around", from the book of the same name, which he performed with specially unchanging Muppets that resembled African ethnological masks.^[46][47] It became one guide the series' most famous archives and was reportedly Jim Henson's favorite episode. After Henson's fixate in May , Belafonte was asked to perform the tune at Henson's memorial service.^[47][48] "Turn the World Around" was extremely included in the official hymnary supplement of the Unitarian Universalistic Association, Singing the Journey.^[49]

From inherit , Belafonte served on probity Royal Winnipeg Ballet's board another directors.^[50]

In December , anon after Band Aid, a goal of popular British and Nation artists, released Do They Fracture It's Christmas? Belafonte decided disapproval create an American benefit one and only for African famine relief. Region fundraiser Ken Kragen, he enlisted Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and Archangel Jackson, The song they around and recorded, "We Are ethics World", brought together some illustrate the era's best-known American musicians and is the eighth-best-selling free of all time with worldly sales in excess of 20 million copies. In the Denizen Music Awards named "We Move back and forth the World" "Song of prestige Year", and honored Belafonte be a sign of the Award of Appreciation.

Belafonte released his first album clasp original material in over dinky decade, Paradise in Gazankulu, manifestation , which contained ten grumble songs against the South Individual former Apartheid policy, and was his last studio album.^[51] Play a role the same year Belafonte, makeover UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, attended adroit symposium in Harare, Zimbabwe, repeat focus attention on child relic and development in Southern Somebody countries. As part of rendering symposium, he performed a consensus for UNICEF. A Kodak recording crew filmed the concert, which was released as a oppressive concert video titled Global Carnival.^[52]

Following a lengthy recording hiatus, An Evening with Harry Belafonte tolerate Friends, a soundtrack and recording of a televised concert, were released in by Island Records.^[53]The Long Road to Freedom: Diversity Anthology of Black Music, span huge multi-artist project recorded alongside RCA during the s unthinkable s, was finally released unhelpful the label in Belafonte went on the Today Show be acquainted with promote the album on Sept 11, , and was interviewed by Katie Couric just record before the first plane receiving the World Trade Center.^[54] Righteousness album was nominated for loftiness Grammy Awards for Best Enclosed Recording Package, for Best Sticker album Notes, and for Best Authentic Album.^[55]

Belafonte received the Kennedy Spirit Honors in ^[56] He was awarded the National Medal forget about Arts in and he won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Premium in He performed sold-out concerts globally through the s disregard the s. His last unanimity was a benefit concert senseless the Atlanta Opera on Oct 25, In a interview, appease stated that he had in that retired from performing.^[57]

On January 29, , Belafonte was the matter speaker and honoree for justness MLK Celebration Series at blue blood the gentry Rhode Island School of Base. Belafonte used his career very last experiences with Dr. King analysis speak on the role retard artists as activists.^[58]

Belafonte was inducted as an honorary member director Phi Beta Sigma fraternity vista January 11, ^[59]

In March , Belafonte was awarded an discretional doctorate from Berklee College leave undone Music in Boston.^[60]

In , Belafonte released When Colors Come Together, an anthology of some sponsor his earlier recordings, produced indifferent to his son David, who wrote lyrics for an updated appall of "Island In The Sun", arranged by longtime Belafonte lyrical director Richard Cummings, and featuring Harry Belafonte's grandchildren Sarafina beam Amadeus and a children's choir.^[61]

Film career

Early film career (–)

Belafonte asterisked in numerous films. His greatest film role was in Bright Road (), in which forbidden supported female lead Dorothy Dandridge.^[62] The two subsequently starred assume Otto Preminger's hit musical Carmen Jones (). Ironically, Belafonte's melodic in the film was labelled by an opera singer, restructuring was Dandridge's, both voices use deemed unsuitable for their roles.^[17][62]

Rise as an actor (–)

Realizing sovereign own star power, Belafonte was subsequently able to land not too (then) controversial film roles. Limit Island in the Sun (), there are hints of implicate affair between Belafonte's character allow the character played by Joan Fontaine;^[63] the film also marked James Mason, Dandridge, Joan Highball, Michael Rennie, and John Justin. In , Belafonte starred find guilty and produced (through his troop HarBel Productions) Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow, in which Belafonte plays a bank robber uncomfortably teamed with a racist sharer (Robert Ryan). Belafonte also co-starred with Inger Stevens in The World, the Flesh and rank Devil.^[64] Belafonte was offered rectitude role of Porgy in Preminger's Porgy and Bess, where do something would have once again marked opposite Dandridge, but refused depiction role because he objected maneuver its racial stereotyping; Sidney Histrion played the role instead.^[65][66]

Later coating and theatre involvement (–)

Dissatisfied look into most of the film roles offered to him during nobility s, Belafonte concentrated on sound. In the early s, Belafonte appeared in more films, middle which are two with Poitier: Buck and the Preacher () and Uptown Saturday Night ().^[67] In , Belafonte produced obtain scored the musical film Beat Street, dealing with the presence of hip-hop culture.^[68] Together barter Arthur Baker, he produced nobleness gold-certified soundtrack of the by a long way name.^[69] Four of his songs appeared in the film Beetlejuice, including "Day-O" and "Jump clasp the Line (Shake, Senora)".

Belafonte next starred in a bigger film in the mids, attendance with John Travolta in description race-reverse drama White Man's Burden ();^[70] and in Robert Altman's jazz age drama Kansas City (), the latter of which garnered him the New Dynasty Film Critics Circle Award convoy Best Supporting Actor.^[71] He as well starred as an Associate Frankness of the Supreme Court clasp the United States in significance TV drama Swing Vote ().^[70] In , Belafonte appeared weigh down Bobby, Emilio Estevez's ensemble scene about the assassination of Parliamentarian F. Kennedy; he played Admiral, a friend of an 1 of the Ambassador Hotel (Anthony Hopkins).^[67]

His final film appearance was in Spike Lee's Academy In first place BlacKkKlansman () as an senile civil rights pioneer.^[11]

Political activism

Belafonte disintegration said to have married public affairs and pop culture.^[72] Belafonte's civic beliefs were greatly inspired emergency the singer, actor, and laical rights activist Paul Robeson, who mentored him.^[73] Robeson opposed cry only racial prejudice in loftiness United States but also sentiment colonialism in Africa. Belafonte refused to perform in the Dweller South from until ^[74]

Belafonte gave the keynote address at integrity ACLU of Northern California's yearlong Bill of Rights Day Travel to In December and was awarded the Chief Justice Earl Hole Civil Liberties Award. The Sundance Film Festival featured the infotainment film Sing Your Song, marvellous biographical film focusing on Belafonte's contribution to and his management in the civil rights boost in America and his endeavors to promote social justice globally.^[75] In , Belafonte's memoir My Song was published by Knopf Books.^[76]

Involvement in the civil frank movement

Belafonte supported the civil upon movement in the s pole s and was one attention Martin Luther King Jr.'s confidants.^[77] After King had been forestall for his involvement in loftiness Montgomery bus boycott in , he began traveling to Yankee cities to spread awareness sit acquire donations for those heroic with social segregation and iron hand in the South.^[78] The brace met at the Abyssinian Protestant Church in Harlem, New Royalty, in March of the masses year. This interaction led back years of joint political activism and friendship. Belafonte joined Handy and his wife, Coretta Explorer King, during the Washington D.C. Youth March for Integrated Schools, and in , he hardcover King in conversations with Parliamentarian F. Kennedy, helping to in a jumble the March on Washington^[79]—the point of King's famous "I Receive a Dream" Speech.^[80] He short for King's family since Laboured earned only $8, ($80, hem in today's money) a year chimpanzee a preacher. As with assorted other civil rights activists, Belafonte was blacklisted during the Author era. During the Birmingham drive, Belafonte bailed King out forged the Birmingham, Alabama jail existing raised $50,^[81] to release vex civil rights protesters. He intended to the Freedom Rides, captain supported voter registration drives^[79][82] Flair later recalled, "Paul Robeson abstruse been my first great pliant influence; you might say proscribed gave me my backbone. Thespian King was the second; subside nourished my soul."^[83] Throughout fulfil career, Belafonte was an champion for political and humanitarian causes, such as the Anti-Apartheid Slant and USA for Africa. Wean away from until his death, he was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.^[84]

During high-mindedness Mississippi Freedom Summer of , Belafonte bankrolled the Student Diplomatic Coordinating Committee, flying to River that August with Sidney Player and $60, in cash take precedence entertaining crowds in Greenwood. Train in , Belafonte appeared on far-out Petula Clark primetime television mutual on NBC. In the conformity of a duet of On the Path of Glory, Politician smiled and briefly touched Belafonte's arm,^[85] which prompted complaints elude Doyle Lott, the advertising overseer of the show's sponsor, Colony Motors.^[86] Lott wanted to retape the segment,^[87] but Clark, who had ownership of the all-important, told NBC that the work would be shown intact advocate she would not allow give the once over to be aired at adept. Newspapers reported the controversy,^[88][89] Lott was relieved of his responsibilities,^[90] and when the special a minute ago, it attracted high ratings.

Belafonte taped an appearance on drawing episode of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour to be airy on September 29, , performing arts a controversial Mardi Gras digit intercut with footage from primacy Democratic National Convention riots. CBS censors deleted the segment. Honourableness full unedited content was debate in as part of regular complete Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour syndication package.^{[citation needed]}

Involvement in greatness Kennedy campaign

In the election halfway John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, notable Black athlete Jackie Robinson advocated his support awaken the Nixon campaign. His logic for doing so was climax perception of Kennedy's championing remind the Civil Rights movement orangutan disingenuous.^[91] Because of Robinson's group impact on Black Americans, leadership Democratic Party was determined come close to find a comparable Black ratifier for Kennedy's campaign.^[92] Fresh dart of his win as authority first Black man to catch an Emmy Award for king work on Tonight with Belafonte, Belafonte was Kennedy's pick get to fill the endorsement position.^[80]

The flash met in Belafonte's apartment, vicinity Kennedy had hoped to shock Belafonte to mobilize support glossy magazine his campaign. He thought bordering accomplish this by having Belafonte mobilize his influence amongst bottle up Black entertainers of the epoch, persuading them to rally bring back Kennedy's presidential nomination. Unexpectedly, Belafonte was not so impressed newborn the candidate, sharing the hire sentiments as Robinson about Kennedy's role (or lack thereof) thorough maintaining civil rights as brainstorm essential part of his motivation. To improve his engagement disagree with Black America, Belafonte suggested concurrence Kennedy that he contact Actress Luther King, making a finish to a viable source sum leadership within the movement. Jfk, though, was hesitant with that suggestion, questioning the social strength the preacher could make orbit the campaign. After much convincing–as Kennedy and King would adjacent meet in June –the connect men negotiated a deal ensure if Nixon became the aspirant for the Republican party, Belafonte would support Kennedy's presidential pursuits.^[80] Belafonte's endorsement of the push was further substantiated after both Kennedy brothers had worked don bail King out of send down in Atlanta after a verification, engaging with a Georgia judge.^[92]

Joining the Hollywood for Kennedy committee,^[80] Belafonte appeared in a motivation commercial for Democratic presidential aspirant John F. Kennedy.^[93] Unfortunately, distinction commercial was shown on ladies for one broadcasting.^[78] Belafonte additionally attended and performed at Kennedy's inaugural ball.^[92] Kennedy later baptized Belafonte cultural advisor to character Peace Corps. After Kennedy's calumny, Belafonte supported Lyndon B. Lexicographer for the United States statesmanly election.^[94]

The Baldwin-Kennedy Meeting

Renowned author Crook Baldwin contacted Belafonte three epoch after John F. Kennedy's purpose. The purpose of the sketch was to invite Belafonte exchange a meeting to speak friendliness Attorney GeneralRobert Kennedy about leadership continued plight of the Coal-black people in America. This carnival was known as the Baldwin-Kennedy Meeting. Belafonte met with 15 others, including Kennedy and Solon, in Kennedy's Central Park Southern apartment on May 24, ^[92]

The other members included were Thais Aubrey, David Baldwin, Edwin Drupelet, Kenneth Clark, Eddie Fales, Lothringen Hansberry, Lena Horne, Clarence Engineer, Burke Marshall, Henry Morgenthau Leash, June Shagaloff, Jerome Smith, put up with Rip Torn.^[95]

The guests engaged love cordial political and social debate. Later, the talk led message an investigation of the rebel of Black people in prestige Vietnam War. Offended by Kennedy's implication that Black men obligation serve in the war, Theologiser Smith scolded the young Counsellor General. Smith, a Black guy and Civil Rights advocate esoteric been severely beaten while scrap for the movement's cause, which enforced his strong resistance figure up Kennedy's assertion, frustrated that recognized should fight for a realm that did not seem look after want to fight for him.^[92]

A short time after the encounter, Belafonte spoke with Kennedy. Belafonte then told him that securely with the meeting's tension, take action needed to be in significance presence of a man need Smith to understand Black people's frustration with patriotism that Airport and other leaders could bawl understand.^[92]

Obama administration

In the s, Belafonte was a supporter of justness African American Students Foundation, which gave a grant to Barack Obama Sr., the late pa of 44th U.S. president Barack Obama, to study at depiction University of Hawaii in ^[96]

In , Belafonte commented on rank Obama administration and the impersonation that popular opinion played reduce the price of shaping its policies. "I collect [Obama] plays the game stroll he plays because he sees no threat from evidencing events for the poor."^[97]

On December 9, , in an interview take on Al Sharpton on MSNBC, Belafonte expressed dismay that many civil leaders in the United States continue to oppose Obama's policies even after his reelection: "The only thing left for Barack Obama to do is provision work like a third-world hitler and just put all scrupulous these guys in jail. You're violating the American desire."^[98]

On Feb 1, , Belafonte received interpretation NAACP's Spingarn Medal, and interpose the televised ceremony, he numbered Constance L. Rice among those previous recipients of the present whom he regarded highly avoidable speaking up "to remedy nobility ills of the nation."^[99]

In Nov , Belafonte attended “Revolution ride Religion,” a dialogue between Vibrate Avakian and Cornel West bully Riverside Church in New Royalty City.^[]

Support for Bernie Sanders

In , Belafonte endorsed Vermont U.S. wirepuller Bernie Sanders in the Autonomous primaries, saying: "I think smartness represents opportunity, I think prohibited represents a moral imperative, Crazed think he represents a determined kind of truth that's turn on the waterworks often evidenced in the route of politics."^[]

Belafonte was an spontaneous cochairman of the Women's Go by shanks`s pony on Washington, which took fit on January 21, , justness day after the inauguration be more or less Donald Trump as president.^[]

The Sanders Institute

Belafonte was a fellow assume The Sanders Institute.^[]

Humanitarian activism

HIV/AIDS crisis

In , Belafonte helped organize nobility Grammy Award-winning song "We Remit the World", a multi-artist crisis to raise funds for Continent. He performed in the Be real Aid concert that same assemblage. In , he received sketch appointment to UNICEF as a-ok goodwill ambassador. Following his meeting, Belafonte traveled to Dakar, Senegal, where he served as lead of the International Symposium hold sway over Artists and Intellectuals for Somebody Children. He also helped cluster raise funds—along with more mystify 20 other artists—in the pre-eminent concert ever held in sub-Saharan Africa. In , he embarked on a mission to Ruanda and launched a media fundraiser to raise awareness of interpretation needs of Rwandan children.^[22]

In , Belafonte visited South Africa with reference to support the campaign against HIV/AIDS.^[] In , Africare awarded him the Bishop John T. Pedestrian Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award beseech his efforts.^[46] In , Belafonte traveled to Kenya to abrasive the importance of educating domestic in the region.^[]

Prostate Cancer awareness

Belafonte had been involved in endocrine cancer advocacy since , while in the manner tha he was diagnosed and famously treated for the disease.^[] Cause June 27, , Belafonte standard the BET Humanitarian Award authorized the BET Awards. He was named one of nine Crash Award recipients by AARP: Position Magazine.^[]

Work with UNICEF

On October 19, , Belafonte represented UNICEF outcome Norwegian television to support significance annual telethon (TV Aksjonen) standing helped raise a world inscribe of $10 per Norwegian citizen.^[]

Various Activist work

Belafonte was also demolish ambassador for the Bahamas.^[] Subside sat on the board livestock directors of the Advancement Project.^[] He also served on character advisory council of the Fissionable Age Peace Foundation.^[]

New York Capability Pride Parade

In , Belafonte was named a grand marshal foothold the New York City Amour propre Parade alongside Edie Windsor soar Earl Fowlkes.^[]

Belafonte and foreign policy

Belafonte was a longtime critic see U.S. foreign policy. He began making controversial political statements dishonest the subject in the apparent s. At various times, sand made statements opposing the U.S. embargo on Cuba; praising Land peace initiatives; attacking the U.S. invasion of Grenada; praising influence Abraham Lincoln Brigade; honoring Ethel and Julius Rosenberg; and laudatory Fidel Castro.^[62][] Belafonte is besides known for his visit space Cuba that helped ensure hip-hop's place in Cuban society. According to Geoffrey Baker's article "Hip hop, Revolucion! Nationalizing Rap hinder Cuba", in , Belafonte reduce with representatives of the repair strip community immediately before meeting letter Castro. This meeting resulted rip apart Castro's personal approval of, put up with hence the government's involvement captive, the incorporation of rap collide with his country's culture.^[] In unblended interview, Belafonte reflected upon that meeting's influence:

"When I went back to Havana a fuse years later, the people arbitrate the hip-hop community came show see me and we hung out for a bit. They thanked me profusely and Hilarious said, 'Why?' and they articulate, 'Because your little conversation peer Fidel and the Minister a few Culture on hip-hop led make longer there being a special bisection within the ministry and we've got our own studio.'."^[]

Belafonte was active in the Anti-Apartheid Onslaught. In , he was probity master of ceremonies at shipshape and bristol fashion reception honoring African National Copulation President Oliver Tambo at Author House, Hunter College, in Another York City. The reception was held by the American Cabinet on Africa (ACOA) and Influence Africa Fund.^[] He was spruce up board member of the TransAfrica Forum and the Institute funds Policy Studies.^[]

Opposition to the Martyr W. Bush administration

Belafonte achieved extensive attention for his political views in when he began production a series of comments volume President George W. Bush, sovereignty administration and the Iraq Combat. During an interview with Dense Leitner for San Diego's KFMB, on October 10, , Belafonte referred to Malcolm X.^[] Belafonte said:

There is an line of attack saying, in the days short vacation slavery. There were those slaves who lived on the holding, and there were those slaves who lived in the household. You got the privilege imbursement living in the house in case you served the master, annul exactly the way the leader intended to have you save him. That gave you due. Colin Powell is permitted appoint come into the house worm your way in the master, as long chimp he would serve the bravura, according to the master's dictates. And when Colin Powell dares to suggest something other already what the master wants have a break hear, he will be evil back out to pasture. Current you don't hear much escaping those who live in birth pasture.^[]

Belafonte used the quotation come to characterize former United States Secretaries of State Colin Powell duct Condoleezza Rice. Powell and Sudden both responded, with Powell profession the remarks "unfortunate"^[] and Sudden saying: "I don't need Chivvy Belafonte to tell me what it means to be black."^[]

The comment resurfaced in an press conference with Amy Goodman for Democracy Now! in ^[] In Jan , Belafonte led a relegating of activists including actor Danny Glover and activist/professor Cornel Westernmost to meet with Venezuelan presidentHugo Chávez. In , Chávez, apartment building outspoken Bush critic, initiated spiffy tidy up program to provide cheaper heat oil for poor people cut down several areas of the Combined States. Belafonte supported this initiative.^[] He was quoted as proverb, during the meeting with Chávez: "No matter what the set tyrant in the world, illustriousness greatest terrorist in the globe, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Battle-cry hundreds, not thousands, but ton of the American people regulars your revolution."^[] Belafonte and Glover met again with Chávez response ^[] The comment ignited natty great deal of controversy. Mountaineer Clinton refused to acknowledge Belafonte's presence at an awards rite that featured both of them.^[]AARP, which had just named him one of its 10 Collision Award honorees , released that statement following the remarks: "AARP does not condone the effect and tone which he has chosen and finds his comments completely unacceptable."^[]

During a Martin Theologist King Jr. Day speech old Duke University in , Belafonte compared the American government playact the hijackers of the Sept 11 attacks, saying: "What run through the difference between that revolutionary and other terrorists?"^[] In rejoinder to criticism about his remarks, Belafonte asked: "What do command call Bush when the conflict he put us in regard date has killed almost pass for many Americans as died go under the surface 9/11 and the number carp Americans wounded in war bash almost triple? By most definitions Bush can be considered dialect trig terrorist." When he was on purpose about his expectation of deprecation for his remarks on honesty war in Iraq, Belafonte responded: "Bring it on. Dissent go over central to any democracy."^[]

In other interview, Belafonte remarked that patch his comments may have antediluvian "hasty", he felt that excellence Bush administration suffered from "arrogance wedded to ignorance" and wellfitting policies around the world were "morally bankrupt."^[] In a Jan speech to the annual negotiating period of the Arts Presenters Liveware Conference, Belafonte referred to "the new Gestapo of Homeland Security", saying: "You can be check and have no right friend counsel!"^[] During a Martin Theologizer King Jr. Day speech view Duke University in Durham, Northmost Carolina in January , Belafonte said that if he could choose his epitaph, it would read "Harry Belafonte, Patriot."^[]

In , he was awarded the Private Human Rights Award in San Francisco by Global Exchange.^{[citation needed]}

Business career

Belafonte liked and often visited the Caribbean island of Bonaire.^[] He and Maurice Neme show signs Oranjestad, Aruba, formed a connection venture to create a opulent private community on Bonaire given name Belnem, a portmanteau of depiction two men's names. Construction began on June 3, ^[] Rank neighborhood is managed by rectitude Bel-Nem Caribbean Development Corporation. Belafonte and Neme served as university teacher first directors.^[] In , Belnem was home to people.^[]

Personal believable, health and death

Belafonte and Subshrub Byrd were married from check They had two daughters: Adrienne and Shari. They separated during the time that Byrd was pregnant with Shari.^[72] Adrienne and her daughter Wife Blue founded the Anir Foundation/Experience, focused on humanitarian work multiply by two southern Africa.^[]

In , Belafonte was financially able to move shun Washington Heights, Manhattan, "into unadulterated white neighborhood in East Elmhurst, Queens."^[]

Belafonte had an affair garner actress Joan Collins during magnanimity filming of Island in glory Sun.^[]

On March 8, , Belafonte married his second wife Julie Robinson (–), a dancer ready to go the Katherine Dunham Company who was of Jewish descent.^[] They had two children: Gina beam David.^[] After 47 years have a high regard for marriage,^[] Belafonte and Robinson divorced in

In Fall , Belafonte was looking for an rooms to rent on the Higher up West Side. After he confidential been turned away from pander to apartment buildings due to glimpse black, he had his milky publicist rent an apartment improve on West End Avenue for him. When he moved in, stand for the owner realized that operate was an African American, crystal-clear was asked to leave. Belafonte not only refused, but illegal also used three dummy absolute estate companies to buy rectitude building and converted it give somebody the loan of a co-op, inviting his amigos, both white and black, embark on buy apartments. He lived top the room, 6-bedroom apartment make 48 years.^[] In April , he married Pamela Frank, wonderful photographer.^[]

Belafonte had five grandchildren: Wife and Brian through his lineage with Marguerite Byrd, and Part, Sarafina and Amadeus through diadem children with Robinson. He esoteric two great-grandchildren by his ahead grandson Brian. In October , Belafonte contributed a letter consign to Liv Ullmann's book Letter stand your ground My Grandchild.^[]

In , Belafonte was diagnosed with prostate cancer opinion was treated for the affliction. He suffered a stroke look , which took away sovereign inner-ear balance. From , Belafonte's health began to decline, on the other hand he remained an active take up prominent figure in the domestic rights movement.^{[citation needed]}

Belafonte died punishment congestive heart failure at fillet home on the Upper Westbound Side of Manhattan, New Royalty City, on April 25, , at the age of ^[11]

Discography

Further information: Harry Belafonte discography

Belafonte insecure 27 studio albums, 8 stand for albums, and 6 collaborations, settle down achieved critical and commercial happy result.

Filmography

Film

Documentary

Television