Harry Belafonte

There is hardly an entertainer that has had more of a humanitarian and cultural impact than Harry Belafonte. Born in Harlem in 1927 to Jamaican parents, Belafonte served in the Navy during WWII and worked to pay for acting classes before he ascended to stardom as a singer. In 1956 he released his pioneering album “Calypso” which popularized Caribbean music all around the world. “Calypso” was the first million-selling LP by a single artist, and tracks “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jump in the Line” were featured in the hit film “Beetlejuice” (1988), adding to his cultural legacy. In 2024, a sequel to the cult classic titled “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” was released and “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” made a triumphant return, solidifying Belafonte’s contribution to the Beetlejuice franchise.

Belafonte also made a huge splash in the film industry, starring in notable movies such as “Carmen Jones” (1954), “Island in the Sun” (1957), and “Odds Against Tomorrow” (1959). Belafonte’s well-rounded career earned him numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award, three Grammy Awards, an Oscar Award and a Tony Award, making him one of a handful of African-American EGOT winners. Beyond his commercial success, Belafonte used his platform to advocate for civil rights and various social causes. Belafonte was a close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and he fought tirelessly for civil rights in the US and ending apartheid in South Africa. Belafonte funded many financial initiatives to support the Civil Rights Movement, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s prison release fund and the 1963 March on Washington. Belafonte was also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and he continued to use his platform to raise awareness for various humanitarian efforts for the entirety of his lifetime, making him one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century.