Harry Belafonte is an iconic figure in the entertainment world. He is an American singer, actor, and civil rights activist. Belafonte has earned numerous awards and accolades for his work as a performer and activist, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Tony Award, and an Academy Award. He is also the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts. Belafonte has had a long and successful career spanning over six decades, and is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music.
Early Life of Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927 in Harlem, New York. He was the son of a Jamaican-born mother, Melvine Love, and a Martinican-born father, Harold George Bellanfanti Sr. Belafonte’s parents separated when he was young and he lived with his mother and grandmother in Jamaica for several years. He returned to the United States at the age of 11 and attended George Washington High School. Belafonte later attended the Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research.
Belafonte was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in the Special Services division. After his service, he returned to New York and began to pursue a career in entertainment. He began to perform in a number of small venues, and eventually found success on Broadway.
Career Highlights of Harry Belafonte
Belafonte found international fame in the mid-1950s with the release of his album Calypso. The album was a smash hit, and it earned Belafonte the title of “King of Calypso.” The success of the album led to Belafonte becoming a major star in the music industry. He went on to release several more successful albums throughout his career, including Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean, Belafonte Sings of the Blues, and Belafonte Sings of the Americas.
Belafonte also found success in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Carmen Jones, Island in the Sun, and Robert Wise’s The Defiant Ones. Belafonte also had a successful career as a television host, appearing on shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live.
In addition to his entertainment career, Belafonte has been a prominent civil rights activist. He was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. Belafonte was a leader in the movement to end apartheid in South Africa and was instrumental in organizing the 1985 concert Live Aid.
Harry Belafonte’s Net Worth
Harry Belafonte is estimated to have a net worth of $25 million. He has earned his wealth through his successful career as a singer, actor, and civil rights activist. Belafonte’s albums have sold millions of copies worldwide, and he has also earned money from his appearances in films and television shows.
Belafonte has used his wealth to further his activism, donating millions of dollars to organizations such as the United Nations and the Children’s Defense Fund. He has also established the Harry Belafonte Foundation, which provides grants to organizations working to end poverty, promote education, and support the arts.
Harry Belafonte is an iconic figure in the entertainment and civil rights worlds. He has had a successful career spanning over six decades and has earned numerous awards for his work as a performer and activist. Belafonte is estimated to have a net worth of $25 million, which he has used to further his activism. Belafonte will continue to be remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music.
