Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte spent much of his childhood life in Jamaica. It was not until he came back to America after World War II though that he would be find his true calling. Belafonte earned his first leading role in Juno and the Paycock by auditioning for the part in the American Negro Theatre (A.N.T.). From there, Belafonte went on to star in film and prosper in theatre. In 1954 he won a Tony for his performance in Almanac. Belafonte’s success does not stop at theatre and film though. While he was performing on Broadway and starring in Hollywood films, Belafonte also began to polish his voice. His third studio album, Calypso, was the first record to go on to sell more than 1 million copies.

On top of all those achievements, Belafonte has worked tirelessly in support of civil rights. In the early 1950s, he developed a strong relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Later on, he rallied the global artistic community to raise awareness of the famines, wars, and droughts plaguing many African nations. Belafonte also hosted the former South African President Nelson Mandela during his triumphant visit to the United States. Belafonte is also a goodwill ambassador to UNICEF.