Harry Belafonte
“The voice that brought calypso to America, and a tireless conscience of the civil rights movement.”
In 1956, Harry Belafonte released 'Calypso,' which became the first album in history to sell over one million copies within a single year, crowning him the 'King of Calypso' and making him an international star. He soon channeled that fame into a lifetime of civil rights activism alongside Martin Luther King Jr.
Harlem to Stardom
Raised partly in Jamaica and partly in Harlem, Belafonte served in the Navy before discovering theater on the GI Bill. He shifted from acting into folk and calypso singing, finding his breakthrough sound.
King of Calypso
His 1956 album 'Calypso' introduced Caribbean rhythms to mainstream America and made 'Day-O' a global anthem. He became one of the most popular recording artists and entertainers of his era.
Activist and Humanitarian
A close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Belafonte funded and organized civil rights efforts for decades. He later led humanitarian campaigns including 'We Are the World' and UNICEF goodwill work.
Career Timeline
- 1927Born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem
- 1944Serves in the U.S. Navy during WWII
- 1953Wins Tony for 'John Murray Anderson's Almanac'
- 1954Stars in film 'Carmen Jones'
- 1956'Calypso' becomes first million-selling LP
- 1957Stars in 'Island in the Sun'
- 1959First Black man to win an Emmy
- 1963Helps organize the March on Washington
- 1985Spearheads 'We Are the World' recording
- 2014Receives Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar
- 2023Dies in New York City at age 96
Biggest Hits
- He was the first Black American man to win an Emmy Award, for his 1959 special 'Tonight with Belafonte.'
- He helped raise bail money for jailed civil rights demonstrators and bankrolled Freedom Rider efforts.
The Moment You Remember
His exuberant call of "Day-O" remains instantly recognizable, a work-song refrain that crossed from the Caribbean docks into living rooms across America and never quite left.
Portrait: Unknown · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons