Who is Harry Belafonte?
Harry Belafonte is an American singer, songwriter, activist, and actor and he is regarded as one of the most successful Jamaican-American pop stars in history and he is also known for popularizing the Caribbean musical style and for his 1956 album Calypso and for appearing in films such as Island in the Sun and Odds against Tomorrow.
Biography and Education
Harry Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on the 1st of March, 1927 in Harlem, New York City, New York, United States and he was born to his mother named Melvine who worked as a housekeeper and to his father named Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. who worked as a chef, his mother was born in Jamaica to Scottish white mother and a black father and his father was also born in Jamaica to a black mother and a Dutch Jewish father of Sephardi origins, from 1932 to 1940, Harry Belafonte lived with one of his grandmothers in her native country of Jamaica and he attended the Wolmer’s School back then.
Harry Belafonte later returned to New York City and enrolled at the George Washington High School and after graduating from High School he joined the Navy and served during the World War II, in the 1940’s he worked as a janitor’s assistant in New York City and it was while working this job that a tenant gave him two tickets as gratuity to see the American Negro Theatre and it was there that his love for acting and singing began, at the end of the 1940’s, he took up acting classes at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School which is located in New York and he performed with personalities such as Marlon Brandlo, Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Bea Arthur and many more people.
Movies and Career
Harry Belafonte starred in movies such as Bright Road in 1953, Carmen Jones in 1954, Island in the Sun, The Heart of Show business, The World, The Flesh and the Devil, Odds against Tomorrow, The Angels Levine in 1970, Buck and the Preacher in 1972, Uptown Saturday Night in 1974, Fundi: The Story of Ella Baker in 1981, Drei Lieder in 1983, Aveces Miro Mi Vida in 1982, We Shall Overcome in 1989, The Players in 1992, Ready to wear in 1994, Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream in 1995, White man’s burden in 1995, Jazz’ 34 in 1996, Kansas City in 1996, Fidel in 2001 and many more.
In 2003, Harry Belafonte starred in XXL Century and Conakry Kas, in 2004 he starred in Ladders, in 2006 he starred in Mo & Me and Bobby, Motherland in 2009, sing your song in 2011, Blackkklansman in 2018, he has also appeared in television series and shows such as Tonight with Belafonte, 1963 Round Table, Petula, A World in Music, The Flip Wilson show, The Muppet Show, After Dark, Swing Vote, Tanner on Tanner and he has appeared in stage plays such as 3 for Night in 1995, Moon birds in 1959, Belafonte at the Palace in 1959, Asinamali! In 1987 and he has also organized concert videos such as Don’t stop the carnival in 1988 and An evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends in 1997.
Wife
Harry Belafonte is a married man and he got married to his first wife named Marguerite Byrd from 1948 to 1957, on the 8th of March, 1957, Belafonte got married to his second wife named Julie Robinson who was a former dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company and she was of Jewish descent but their marriage ended after 47 years and in April, 2008, Belafonte married photographer Pamela Frank.
Children
Belafonte and his first wife Marguerite Byrd has two daughters named Adrienne and Shari and Adrienne and her mother co-founded the Anir Foundation/Experience which is an organization focused on humanitarian works in South Africa and Shari is a photographer, actress, singer, model and she is married to actor Sam Behrens.
Harry Belafonte and his second wife named Julie Robinson have two children, a son named David and he is a former model and actor and he is also an Emmy winning and Grammy nominated music producer and the executive director of Belafonte Enterprises Inc and he is married to singer Malena Belafonte and Gina his daughter is an actress, coach and producer.
Grandchildren
Harry Belafonte currently has five grandchildren and their names are Rachel and Brian through his marriage to Marguerite Byrd and Maria, Sarafina and Amadeus through his marriage to Julie Robinson.
Origin
Harry Belafonte is of Jamaican-American-Dutch origin.
Parents and Family
Harry Belafonte was born to a mother named Melvine who worked as a housekeeper and to his father named Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. who worked as a chef.
Height, Weight and Personal Looks
Harry Belafonte stands at a height of 5 ft 8 inches, he weighs 67kg, he is fair in complexion, has brown hair color and brown eye color.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Harry Belafonte is of American nationality and white ethnicity.
House Location
Belafonte and his family currently reside in New York, United States of America.
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Controversies, rumors and legal issues
Ever since gaining prominence as an actor and singer, Harry Belafonte hasn’t been linked to any much controversy, rumors and legal issues.
Harry Belafonte Net Worth and Salary
Harry Belafonte net worth is estimated to be $35 million and he earns over $6 million as salary annually and his net worth accumulated due to the success in his career as a singer, actor, songwriter and activist.
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