Harry Belafonte was a prominent American singer, actor, and producer. He was a key figure in the folk music scene of the 1950s and was especially known for popularizing the Caribbean folk songs known as calypsos.
In addition to his artistic contributions, he was involved in various social causes, notably civil rights activism. He passed away on April 25, 2023, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire generations. This article aims to provide a comprehensive biography of Harry Belafonte, covering his birth, age, family, career, relationships, net worth, and more.
Contents
Early Life
Harry Belafonte was born to Jamaican-born parents on 1 March 1927 in Harlem, New York, United States. When he was five years old, his mother sent him to live with his grandmother in Jamaica for a few years.
After he returned to New York City, he attended George Washington High School, where he struggled with dyslexia and was a mediocre student. As a result, he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. While studying at The New School, Belafonte met and befriended several prominent actors, including Marlon Brando, Walter Matthau, and Rod Steiger.
Harry Belafonte’s Parents
His father is Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. and his mother is Melvine Love. His father worked as a chef, and his mother worked as a housekeeper. He spent much of his youth in Jamaica with his mother and brother. Life in Jamaica was difficult but full of rich cultural experiences that influenced Belafonte’s art. At the beginning of World War II, Belafonte returned to Harlem with his mother and brother.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Harold George Belafonte Jr. |
| Name | Harry Belafonte |
| Birth date | March 1, 1927 |
| Place of birth | Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Age at death | 96 years |
| Father | Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. |
| Mother | Melvine Love |
| Death Date | April 25, 2023 |
| Cause of Death | Congestive Heart Failure |
| First Wife | Marguerite Byrd (1948-1957) |
| Second Wife | Julie Robinson (1957-2008) |
| Wife | Pamela Frank (2008-2023) |
| Children | Four |
| Son | David Belafonte |
| Daughter | Adrienne Belafonte Shari Belafonte Gina Belafonte |
| Career | Singer, Actor, Producer, Activist |
| Notable works | “Banana Boat Song (Day-O),” “Jamaica Farewell” |
| Awards | Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony (EGOT) |
| Net worth | $30 million (approx.) |
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| Homepage | See This |
| Nationality | American |
Death and Cause of Death
Harry Belafonte passed away on April 25, 2023. He died from congestive heart failure at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. Harry was 96 years old at the time of his death.
Career
Harry Belafonte’s career began in the 1940s when he sang in nightclubs and theaters. He made his Broadway debut in the revue “John Murray Anderson’s Almanac” in 1953. Belafonte is best known for his work in the folk music scene of the 1950s, especially for popularizing calypso music with international audiences. He released his first album, “Calypso,” in 1956, which became a massive hit and the first album to sell over one million copies. The album featured his signature song, “Banana Boat (Day-O),” which became a cultural phenomenon and a staple in American music.
Belafonte was also involved in acting throughout his career. He made his film debut in “Bright Road” in 1953 and appeared in several other films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including “Island in the Sun” (1957), “Odds Against Tomorrow” (1959), and “Buck and the Preacher” (1972). He also appeared in various television shows and specials, including “The Muppet Show” (1978), “The Cosby Show” (1984), and “White Man’s Burden” (1995).
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Activism was also a significant part of Belafonte’s career. He was involved in the civil rights movement and worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He helped to fund the Freedom Rides in 1961, and his involvement in the movement led to his blacklisting by Hollywood studios in the 1950s. He also served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and was involved in humanitarian efforts around the world.
What is Harry Belafonte’s Net worth?
According to internet sources, Harry Belafonte had a net worth of $30 million at the time of his death. This figure is consistent with other estimates of his net worth, which suggest that he was worth between $28 and $30 million at the time of his death. It is worth noting, however, that estimates of net worth can vary widely depending on the source and the methodology used to calculate them. Belafonte earned this wealth primarily through his music, acting roles, and various other endeavors.
Assets and Properties
Harry Belafonte owned several properties throughout his lifetime, including a home in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., which he purchased in 1966 for $27,500. Additionally, in 2018, he sold his former apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for $1.9 million.
Investments and Philanthropy
Harry Belafonte was also known for his savvy investments and his philanthropic work. Over the course of his life, Belafonte invested in a variety of business ventures, including real estate, stocks, and other assets.
He was also a dedicated philanthropist and supported a variety of causes and organizations throughout his life, including the NAACP, UNICEF, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Belafonte’s philanthropic work helped to improve the lives of countless people around the world and contributed to his legacy as a true humanitarian.
Awards and Achievements
Harry Belafonte was a highly decorated performer. He won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT), making him one of the few performers to achieve this feat. He won his first Emmy in 1960 for his television special, “Tonight with Belafonte.”
He won his first Grammy in 1959 for Best Performance, Folk, for his album “Swing Dat Hammer.” He won his only Oscar in 2014, receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his humanitarian efforts. He won his Tony in 1954 for his role in the Broadway revue “John Murray Anderson’s Almanac”.
Belafonte also received numerous other awards throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts (1994), Kennedy Center Honors (1989), and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2000).
Harry Belafonte’s Wedding
Harry Belafonte has been married three times in his life. He married his first wife, Marguerite Byrd, in 1948. However, the couple separated a few years later, and they officially ended their marriage in 1957. Belafonte’s second wife was Julie Robinson, whom he married in March 1957. Julie Robinson, Harry Belafonte’s second wife, was an actress, dancer, and singer.
The couple was together for about five decades and had two children together. They separated in 2002 and divorced in 2004. Harry Belafonte’s third and final wife was Pamela Frank, a photographer. They got married in 2008 and were happily married until Harry’s death in 2023.
Children & Grandkids
Harry Belafonte had four children from two previous marriages to Marguerite Byrd and Julie Robinson. He was also a proud grandfather to five grandchildren, Rachel and Brian through his children with Marguerite Byrd, Maria, Sarafina, and Amadeus through his children with Julie Robinson. Adrienne Belafonte is the founder of the organization “We Are Family Foundation,”. Adrienne Belafonte is married to Christian McGuigan and has two children, Rachel and Brian.
Shari is an actress, model, and singer who has appeared in several television shows and films. David Belafonte is the only son of Harry Belafonte and is a successful producer and director in the entertainment industry. He has directed several television shows and films and has produced numerous projects.
Gina Belafonte is the youngest of Harry Belafonte’s children and has followed in her father’s footsteps in advocating for social justice causes. She is the co-founder of the organization “The Gathering for Justice,” which works towards ending child incarceration and improving the juvenile justice system. She has been married to Scott McCray since 1994 and has no children.
Harry Belafonte was dedicated to his family throughout his life and was known for his love and support for his children and grandchildren.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Harry Belafonte pass?
He passed away on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96.
What religion is Harry Belafonte?
His mother was Scottish Jamaican and his father was Afro-Jamaican. Moreover, he was raised Catholic.
Where was Harry Belafonte from?
He was from Harlem, New York, United States.
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