| 1 | [[quoteright:273:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hbelafonte.jpg]] |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927 – April 25, 2023) was a Jamaican-American actor and award-winning singer. |
| 4 | |
| 5 | 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 won three Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as an Emmy and a Tony for his acting and music. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | 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 Music/CharlieParker, Music/MilesDavis, 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. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | Belafonte died in 2023 from congestive heart failure at the age of 96. |
| 10 | ---- |
| 11 | !!Selected filmography: |
| 12 | * ''Film/CarmenJones'' (1954) |
| 13 | * ''Film/OddsAgainstTomorrow'' (1959) |
| 14 | * ''Film/TheAngelLevine'' (1970) |
| 15 | * ''Film/ThePlayer'' (1992) |
| 16 | * ''Film/PretAPorter'' (1994) |
| 17 | * ''Film/WhiteMansBurden'' (1995) |
| 18 | * ''Film/KansasCity'' (1996) |
| 19 | * ''Film/{{Bobby}}'' (2006) |
| 20 | * ''Film/BlacKkKlansman'' (2018) |
| 21 | ---- |
| 22 | !! Tropes in Harry Belafonte's songs: |
| 23 | * ChristmasSongs: His recording of "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. He also recorded a full seasonal album, ''To Wish You a Merry Christmas'', in 1958. |
| 24 | * NonAppearingTitle: "The Banana Boat Song". It is, however, alternatively called "Day-O", which ''does'' appear in the song. |
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