Biography
Harry Belafonte was a famous American singer, actor, & civil rights activist. He was born on March 1, 1927, in New York City, U.S. He died on 25, 2023 at the age of 96 in New York. He was well known for his activism work and calypso music. His most famous recordings are “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)”, “Jamaica Farewell”, “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”, and “Mary’s Boy Child”.
He also worked on many blockbuster movies of his time like Beetlejuice, Mama Africa, Night of 100 Stars, and Swing Vote. He married Marguerite Byrd (m. 1948; div. 1957), then Julie Robinson (m. 1957; div. 2004) and then Pamela Frank (m. 2008). Harry was the father of four children. His songs are based on Calypso, mento, pop, folk, and world genres. He received numerous awards in his life including Kennedy Center Honors, Emmy Award, and National Medal of Arts, etc.
Quick Facts
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. |
| Birthdate | March 1, 1927 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, U.S. |
| Death Date | April 25, 2023 |
| Age at Death | 96 |
| Parents | Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. (father), Melvine Love (mother) |
| Spouses | Marguerite Byrd (1948–1957), Julie Robinson (1957–2004), Pamela Frank (2008) |
| Children | 4, including Shari |
| Professions | Singer, actor, activist |
| Genres | Calypso, mento, pop, folk, world |
| Years Active | 1948–2023 |
| Notable Works | “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”, “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)”, “Jamaica Farewell”, “Mary’s Boy Child” |
| Awards | 3 Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), Emmy Award, Tony Award, Kennedy Center Honors, National Medal of Arts, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction |
| Education | Parochial school at St. Charles Borromeo, acting classes at The New School |
| Activism | Civil rights movement involvement, ACLU celebrity ambassador for juvenile justice issues |
| Political Affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Mentor | Paul Robeson |
| Close Associate | Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Notable Films | “Carmen Jones” (1954), “Island in the Sun” (1957), “BlacKkKlansman” (2018) |
| Notable Documentaries | “Sing Your Song” (2011), “The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” (2011) |
| Notable TV Appearances | “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show” (2020) |
Harry Belafonte Movies
| Movie Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Beetlejuice | 1988 |
| The World, the Flesh and the Devil | 1959 |
| The Greatest Night in Pop | 2024 |
| BlacKkKlansman | 2018 |
| Carmen Jones | 1954 |
| We Are The World: The Story Behind The Song | 1985 |
| Island in the Sun | 1957 |
| Buck and the Preacher | 1972 |
| Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends | 2007 |
| Odds Against Tomorrow | 1959 |
| Uptown Saturday Night | 1974 |
| The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show | 2020 |
| Sing Your Song | 2011 |
| White Man’s Burden | 1995 |
| Bright Road | 1953 |
| Kansas City | 1996 |
| Beat Street | 1984 |
| Bobby | 2006 |
| The Angel Levine | 1970 |
| Black Hollywood | 2008 |
| Hava Nagila (The Movie) | 2012 |
| Sidney | 2022 |
| The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 | 2011 |
| Mama Africa | 2011 |
| Fidel: The Untold Story | 2001 |
| Free to Be… You and Me | 1974 |
| Roots of Rhythm | 1997 |
| Against All Odds | 1984 |
| Da 5 Bloods | 2020 |
| The Player | 1992 |
| I Am Not Your Negro | 2016 |
| Pret-A-Porter | 1994 |
| When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts | 2006 |
| What Happened, Miss Simone? | 2015 |
| King in the Wilderness | 2018 |
| The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson | – |
| The One and Only Dick Gregory | 2021 |
| The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years | 1986 |
| Is That Black Enough for You?!? | 2022 |
| Soundtrack for a Revolution | 2009 |
| Swing Vote | 1999 |
| Night of 100 Stars | 1982 |
| King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis | 1970 |
| Calypso Dreams | 2004 |
| Jackie Robinson | 2016 |
| The King | 2017 |
| Grambling’s White Tiger | 1981 |
| A Century of Black Cinema | 2003 |
| Classified X | 1998 |
| Birth of the Living Dead | 2013 |
| The Last White Knight | 2012 |
FAQs about Harry Belafonte Biography
What is the full name of Harry Belafonte?
The full name of Harry Belafonte is Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.
What is the profession of Harry Belafonte?
Harry Belafonte was a singer, actor, and civil rights activist.
What is the age of Harry Belafonte?
Harry Belafonte passed away at the age of 96 on April 25, 2023.
Who is Harry Belafonte’s spouse?
Harry Belafonte’s spouses were Marguerite Byrd (married from 1948 to 1957), Julie Robinson (married from 1957 to 2004), and Pamela Frank (married in 2008).
Who are Harry Belafonte’s parents?
Harry Belafonte’s parents were Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. and Melvine Love.
Who are Harry Belafonte’s siblings?
There is no information available about Harry Belafonte’s siblings.
What is the net worth of Harry Belafonte?
The net worth of Harry Belafonte is not provided in the given information.
What is the education of Harry Belafonte?
Harry Belafonte attended parochial school at St. Charles Borromeo and took acting classes at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York City.
What are the major awards Harry Belafonte received?
Harry Belafonte received several major awards, including three Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), an Emmy Award, a Tony Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category.
