Harry Belafonte Quick Info | |
---|---|
Height | 6 ft 2 in |
Weight | 76 kg |
Date of Birth | March 1, 1927 |
Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
Date of Death | April 25, 2023 |
Harry Belafonte was an American singer, songwriter, activist, and actor who was regarded as one of the most successful Jamaican-American pop stars in history. In addition to that, he also established himself as a talented actor by having been cast in movies like Island in the Sun, Uptown Saturday Night, BlacKkKlansman, and White Man’s Burden.
Born Name
Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.
Nick Name
Harry, Harold George Belafonte Jr., Harry Bellanfanti Jr., The King of Calypso
Age
Harry Belafonte was born on March 1, 1927.
Died
Harry Belafonte passed away at the age of 96 on April 25, 2023, in Manhattan, New York, United States due to congestive heart failure.
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
Lying-in Hospital, Harlem, New York City, New York, United States
Nationality
Education
Harry Belafonte attended institutions including Wolmer’s Schools and George Washington High School. Later, he got enrolled at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York.
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter, Activist, Actor
Family
- Father –Â Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. (Chef)
- Mother – Melvine (née Love) (Housekeeper)
- Siblings – Dennis Belafonte (Brother)
- Others – William Alexander Love (Maternal Grandfather), Sarah Jane Clarke/Clark (Maternal Grandmother), Rachel Blue (Granddaughter), Malena Belafonte (Daughter-In-Wife) (Former Model, Singer, Performer, Producer, Entrepreneur, Creative Director), Brian (Grandson), Maria (Granddaughter), Sarafina (Granddaughter), Amadeus (Grandson)
Manager
Harry Belafonte was represented by –
- Equitable Stewardship for Artists, Talent Agency, Los Angeles, California, United States
- United Support of Artists for Africa, Inc., Company, Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre
Calypso, Pop, Folk, World
Instruments
Vocals, Guitar, Drums
Labels
RCA Victor
Build
Slim
Height
6 ft 2 in or 188 cm
Weight
76 kg or 167.5 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Harry Belafonte had dated –
- Dianne Reeves
- Miriam Makeba
- Dorian Leigh Parker
- Marguerite Byrd (1948-1957) – The duo was blessed with 2 daughters named  Adrienne and Shari Belafonte (b. September 22, 1954).
- Julie Robinson (1957-2004) – He got married to former dancer Julie Robinson on March 8, 1957, and they have 2 children – a son named David and a daughter named Gina. Harry and Julie Robinson divorced in 2004.
- Joan Collins (1957) – Rumor
- Inger Stevens (1959-1960)
- Pamela Frank (2008-2023)
Race / Ethnicity
Mixed (White and Black)
Harry Belafonte was of Sephardi Jewish and African-Jamaican descent on his father’s side and had African-Jamaican and Irish-Scottish roots on his mother’s side.
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Baldhead
- Widow’s peak hairline
Harry Belafonte Facts
- He served in the US Navy during World War II.
- Harry Belafonte released his debut album, Mark Twain and Other Folk Favorites, in 1954.
- In 1956, his 3rd studio album, Calypso, was released which topped the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and was certified “Gold” by RIAA.
- He was friends with the Cuban communist revolutionary and politician, Fidel Castro.
- In 1987, Harry started serving as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
- In 1996, Harry Belafonte was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- In 2002, he was honored by Africare with the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for his efforts to assist Africa.
- He was awarded the Domestic Human Rights Award in San Francisco in 2004.
- Harry was named a Grand Marshal of the New York City Pride Parade in 2013.
- Harry was on the board of directors of the Advancement Project.
- In February 2013, he was honored with the NAACP‘s Spingarn Medal.
- In 2017, he served as an honorary co-chair of the Women’s March on Washington.
- In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Featured Image by David Shankbone / Flickr / CC BY 2.0