Harry Belafonte

Date of Birth: March 1, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Harry Belafonte, born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr., was an influential American singer, songwriter, actor, and social activist. Born on March 1, 1927, in Harlem, New York City, to Jamaican-born parents, Belafonte is often referred to as the “King of Calypso” for popularizing Caribbean music worldwide in the 1950s. His breakthrough album “Calypso” (1956) was the first LP in history to sell over one million copies. Beyond his musical achievements, Belafonte was a prominent civil rights activist who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and supported various humanitarian causes throughout his life. He also starred in several films, including “Carmen Jones” (1954) and “Island in the Sun” (1957), and continued to influence generations of artists and activists.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Belafonte

1. Harry Belafonte was the first African American to win an Emmy Award, for his TV special “Tonight with Belafonte” (1959).

2. His album “Calypso” (1956) was the first LP in history to sell over one million copies.

3. Belafonte was a close friend and confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and provided financial support to the civil rights movement.

4. He played a key role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

5. Belafonte was an ambassador for UNICEF and used his platform to advocate for humanitarian causes around the world.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Belafonte

1. “Art is not just to show life as it is, but to show life as it should be.”

2. “You can cage the singer but not the song.”

3. “Each and every one of us is born into this world with a tremendous responsibility to help one another.”

4. “My activism always existed. My art gave me the platform to do something about the activism.”

5. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Harry Belafonte is estimated to be around $28 million.

Children

Harry Belafonte has four children. With his first wife, Marguerite Byrd, he had two daughters: Adrienne and Shari Belafonte. Shari Belafonte is a well-known actress, model, and singer. With his second wife, Julie Robinson, he had another daughter, Gina Belafonte, and a son, David Belafonte. David Belafonte is an actor and former model.