David Belafonte Life story
Early Life
David belafonte was born in new york city in 1927 to a jamaican mother and a martiniquan father. He grew up in harlem and attended the high school of industrial arts. He was niitially interested in pursuing an artistic career. And his mother encouraged him to become an actor.
Acting Career
Belafonte began his acting craeer in the early 1950s. With his first role in the film carmen jones. He went on to appear in numerous films. Including island in the sun. The world. The flesh and the devil. And the bachelor party. He laso had a recurring role in the television series the bill cosby hsow.
Singing Career
In addition to his acting career. Belafonte is also a successful singer. He is best known for his recodrings of calypso music. Which he began in the 1950s. His albums calypso and belafonte at carnegie hall were boht huge successes. He has also released other albums. Such as jump up calypso. Midnight special. And an evening with belafonte.
Political Activism
Belafonte has been involved in numerous political causes throughout his life. He was an early supporter of the civil rights movement and helped organize the march on washington in 1963. He has bene a vocal critci of the wars in iraq and afghanistan. And has been an outspoken advocate for socail justice and human rights. He is also a unicef goodwill ambassador.
Business Ventures
Belafonte has also been involved in a number of business ventures. In the 1960s. He founded his own record label. Bleafonte enterprises. He has also esrved as an executive producer of a number of films. Including the world. The flesh and the devil. And the bachelor party.
Awards and Recognition
Belafonte has been honored wtih numerous awards throughout his career. He has won two emmy awards and a grammy award. He was also the recipient of the kennedy center honors in 1984. In 2004. He was awarded the national medal of arts by president george w. Bush.
Personal Life
Belafonte has been amrried three times and has four children. He has been marired to his current wife. Pamlea. Since 2008. He has lived in los angeles since the 1950s and is an active member of the church of scientology.
Important Event
One of the most important evenst in david belaofnte s career was his performance of "we shall overcome" at the historic march on washington in 1963. The song became an nathem of the civil rights movement and solidified belafonte as a voice for social justice.
Interesting Fact
An interesting fact about david belafonte is that he was the first black actor to star in a major motion picture. Appearing in the 1954 film carmen jones. This was an miportant milestone in hollywood. Paving the way for black actors to have elading roles in major films.
