Obit: Harry Belafonte, Legendary Singer and Civil Rights Activist

Harry Belafonte, the iconic singer, actor, and civil rights activist, passed away on April 25, 2023 at the age of 96. Belafonte was a trailblazer in the entertainment industry and a powerful voice for the civil rights movement. He was known for his activism, humanitarianism, and his significant contributions to music.

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Early Life

Harry Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927 in Harlem, New York. He was the son of Melvine Love, a Jamaican-born housekeeper, and Harold George Bellanfanti, a Martiniquais-born chef. His parents separated when he was young, and Belafonte was raised by his mother in Jamaica, Queens. He returned to New York City at the age of 8 and attended the High School of Industrial Arts. After graduating high school, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Career

After his military service, Belafonte began working as an actor and singer. He made his Broadway debut in 1953 in the musical "John Murray Anderson's Almanac". In 1954, he released his first album, "Mark Twain and Other Folk Favorites". The album featured traditional folk songs, and was a hit with audiences. He followed it up with the album "Calypso" in 1956, which featured Caribbean folk songs and became the first album to sell over one million copies.

Belafonte also had a successful career as an actor. He starred in films such as "Carmen Jones" (1954), "Island in the Sun" (1957), and "The World, the Flesh, and the Devil" (1959). He was also active in the civil rights movement, working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists to promote civil rights for African Americans.

Legacy

Belafonte was a trailblazer in the entertainment industry and a powerful voice for the civil rights movement. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the NAACP Image Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the National Medal of Arts.

Belafonte was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and will be remembered for his activism, humanitarianism, and his significant contributions to music.

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