History Creator / HarryBelafonte

Born in [[UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity Harlem]] and raised in UsefulNotes/{{Jamaica}} by his grandmother, Belafonte began performing in NYC nightclubs in order to pay for his acting classes with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Max Roach. He was discovered at the Village Vanguard and soon signed to Creator/RCARecords, for whom he enjoyed worldwide commercial success; his 1955 album ''Belafonte'' became the first title to reach the top spot on the newly-created ''Billboard'' album chart, while its 1956 follow-up ''Calypso'' not only hit #1 but stayed on the chart for over 30 weeks. His popularity made him a television personality and he appeared in films of many genres sporadically through the years. He retired from performing in 2007 but continued to be an ambassador for charities.

* ''Film/BlackKKlansman'' (2018)

Belafonte died in 2023 at the age of 96.

Often nicknamed "the King of Calypso" (he ''has'', however, sung in different genres), he appeared in many films during UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood, was on TV acting and/or presenting, and is a political rights activist, known for being vocal during the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement. His debut album was the first solo album to sell a million copies and his most famous song is "The Banana Boat Song" due to the lyric "Day-O". He has won three Grammy awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, an Emmy, and a Tony for his acting and music.

Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927 - April 25, 2023) was a Jamaican-American actor and award-winning singer.

Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927 in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, UsefulNotes/{{New York|State}}) is a Jamaican-American actor and award-winning singer.

Born in [[UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity Harlem]] and raised in UsefulNotes/{{Jamaica}} by his grandmother, Belafonte began performing in NYC nightclubs in order to pay for his acting classes with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Max Roach. He was discovered at the Village Vanguard and soon signed to Creator/RCARecords, for whom he enjoyed worldwide commercial success; his 1955 album ''Belafonte'' became the first title to reach the top spot on the newly-created ''Billboard'' album chart, while its 1956 follow-up ''Calypso'' not only hit #1 but stayed on the chart for over 30 weeks. His popularity made him a television personality and he appeared in films of many genres sporadically through the years. He retired from performing in 2007 but continues to be an ambassador for charities.

Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927 in New York City, New York) is a Jamaican-American actor and award-winning singer.

Born in [[UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity Harlem]] and raised in UsefulNotes/{{Jamaica}} by his grandmother, Belafonte began performing in NYC nightclubs in order to pay for his acting classes with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Max Roach. He was discovered at the Village Vanguard and soon signed to RCA Victor Records, for whom he enjoyed worldwide commercial success; his 1955 album ''Belafonte'' became the first title to reach the top spot on the newly-created ''Billboard'' album chart, while its 1956 follow-up ''Calypso'' not only hit #1 but stayed on the chart for over 30 weeks. His popularity made him a television personality and he appeared in films of many genres sporadically through the years. He retired from performing in 2007 but continues to be an ambassador for charities.

!!Selected filmography
* ''Film/CarmenJones''
* ''Film/OddsAgainstTomorrow''
* ''Film/TheAngelLevine''
* ''Film/WhiteMansBurden''
* ''Film/{{Bobby}}''
* ''Film/BlackKKlansman''

* ChristmasSongs: "Mary's Boy Child", a calypso-styled carol written by veteran GospelMusic composer Jester Hairston, was a big hit in 1956 and is still heard frequently today. Two years later he recorded the album ''To Wish You a Merry Christmas''.
* NonAppearingTitle: "The Banana Boat Song". It is however alternatively called "Day-O", which ''does'' appear in the song.

* ''Film/{{Bobby}}''

!!Stock the tropes 'til the morning come-a!
* BadassNickname: The King of Calypso.
* BaldOfAwesome: The Other Wiki [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Belafonte-cropped.png has a picture of him at age 84,]] proving that he is now bald.
* CoolOldGuy: '''''NINETY-FOUR!'''''
* FakeAmerican: Subverted. Many people insist that he has to be Jamaican because of his accent, but make no mistake, he is indeed from the Big Apple. The accent came from him being ''raised'' in Jamaica.
* NiceGuy: If his efforts during the Civil Rights Movement are any indication, he is definitely one. However, his extreme vocalism about his political views since [[UsefulNotes/BarackObama 2009]] tends to rub some people the wrong way. [[labelnote: Note]] He is a registered democrat. [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment That's all you'll get from us.]] [[/labelnote]]
* NonAppearingTitle: "The Banana Boat Song". Downplayed in that it's often called "Day-O", which ''does'' appear in the song.
* RaisedByGrandparents: As mentioned earlier.

* CoolOldGuy: Born in 1927 and still very much alive and active today...yep, he fits the bill.