Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte

American singer, activist, and actor
One-time King of Calypso and major civil-rights activist whose career took countless twists and turns over seven decades.
BornMarch 1, 1927
HometownNew York City, U.S.
Net worth$30 million
Height6'1" (1.85m)
SpousePamela Frank (m 2008 - 2023) , Julie Robinson (m 1957 - 2004) , Marguerite Byrd (m 1948 - 1957)
PartnerEllen Holly
ChildrenShari Belafonte
ParentsHarold George Bellanfanti, Sr. , Melvine Bellanfanti
Profile

Photos

Credit: Getty Images, Rotten Tomatoes, Gracenote Media Services

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NEWS OF THE WEEK: Harry Belafonte dies aged 96

The singer/actor passed away at his Manhattan home on Tuesday due to congestive heart failure, his longtime spokesman Ken Sunshine told The New York Times. Born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, New York to Caribbean-born parents, Belafonte became a huge star in the 1950s. He helped popularise calypso music, even though he later performed in many other genres such as folk, blues and American standards. The musician was perhaps best known for songs including Day-O (The Banana Boat Song), Jump in the Line and Jamaica Farewell,…
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MOVIES & TV SHOWS

Is That Black Enough for You?!?
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
R
2h 15min
2022
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe
1h 25min
2009
Odds Against Tomorrow
Odds Against Tomorrow
1h 35min
1959
Marsha Hunt's Sweet Adversity
Marsha Hunt's Sweet Adversity
1h 38min
2014
Conakry Kas
Conakry Kas
1h 22min
2004
A Century of Black Cinema
A Century of Black Cinema
2h
2003
Nationtime
Nationtime
1h 20min
1972
The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show
The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show
1h 15min
2020
Bobby Kennedy for President
Bobby Kennedy for President
4h 5min
2018
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me
1h 40min
2017
Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart
Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart
1h 58min
2017
The University of Sing Sing
The University of Sing Sing
0h 39min
2011
Hava Nagila (The Movie)
Hava Nagila (The Movie)
1h 13min
2012
Under African Skies
Under African Skies
1h 42min
2012
Sing Your Song
Sing Your Song
1h 43min
1975
Mama Africa
Mama Africa
1h 31min
2011
When I Rise
When I Rise
PG
1h 14min
2010
Bobby
Bobby
R
1h 59min
2006
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts
TV-MA
4h 15min
2006
Kansas City
Kansas City
R
1h 55min
1996
White Man's Burden
White Man's Burden
R
1h 29min
1995

Albums

Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall
Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall
1960
Swing Dat Hammer
Swing Dat Hammer
1960
My Lord What a Mornin'
My Lord What a Mornin'
1960
Legends: Day O
Legends: Day O
2012
Calypso-Mento-Folk 1954-1957
Calypso-Mento-Folk 1954-1957
2009
Flashback
Flashback
2009
Day-O
Day-O
2003
3 Originals
3 Originals
2001
Simply the Best
Simply the Best
1993
Island in the Sun
Island in the Sun
1991
Island in the Sun [Pair]
Island in the Sun [Pair]
1990
Day-O & Other Hits
Day-O & Other Hits
1990
Paradise in Gazankulu
Paradise in Gazankulu
1988
All-Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
All-Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
1988
All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
1978
Legendary Performer
Legendary Performer
1978
Pure Gold
Pure Gold
1975
Belafonte Concert in Japan
Belafonte Concert in Japan
1974
Warm Touch
Warm Touch
1971
Evening with Belafonte/Mouskouri
Evening with Belafonte/Mouskouri
1966
An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba
An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba
1965

AWARDS

YearAssociationsCategoryWorkResult
2019Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureBlacKkKlansmanNominated
2007Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureBobby (2006 film)Nominated