Harry Belafonte: 'King of Calypso' dies at 96 after battling poor heart condition for years
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Calypso legend Harry Belafonte has died at the age of 96 due to congestive heart failure at his home in New York City. The news of the singer's death was confirmed by his longtime spokesperson, Ken Sunshine. Belafonte rose to fame during the 1950s and his career spanned six decades, during which he became known for his contributions to the country's civil rights struggle. He most recently appeared in the movie 'BlacKkKlansman', portraying an older civil rights leader. In the film, his character recounts the story of Jesse Washington, a Black teenage farmhand who was lynched in Waco, Texas, in 1916 after being railroaded by the justice system.
Despite his poor health, Belafonte received permission from his doctor to film a scene for the movie. "I said, 'Thank you, Jesus.' And I said to the crew: 'When you come to the set tomorrow, I want you to have a suit on, a tie, and wear your Sunday best. If you dress lazy, don't come to work, because we have a very special guest,'" director Spike Lee told Deadline. Over the years, Belafonte had a successful battle against prostate cancer and became a prominent advocate for cancer research
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About Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte, originally born as Harold George Bellanfanti Jr, was born in Harlem, New York, in 1927. His parents were Harold George Bellanfanti Sr, a Martinique-born chef, and Melvine Bellanfanti, a housekeeper from Jamaica. After spending a few years in Jamaica with his mother, Belafonte returned to the US to complete high school. He then served in the Navy during World War II before attending the Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research on the GI Bill. Notably, his classmates at the workshop included Marlon Brando, Walter Matthau, and Sidney Poitier, according to NBC News.
First Black artist to win an Emmy Award
While nurturing their bond, Harry Belafonte used to perform in nightclubs in New York. It was during this time that he found his groove, delivering elegant renditions of pop, jazz, and folk classics. He went on to become a regular feature on television during the 1950s and '60s and became the first Black artist to win an Emmy.
Belafonte was married three times, with his first marriage being to Marguerite Byrd from 1948 to 1957. They had two daughters together, activist Adrienne and actor Shari.