Harry Belafonte was an American singer, actor, and activist, born on March 1, 1927, in New York City. He is known for his unique voice and his popularization of Caribbean music in the United States. Belafonte had a successful career in the entertainment industry, with hit songs such as “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jump in the Line“.
He also acted in films such as “Carmen Jones” and “Island in the Sun“. However, Belafonte was also a prominent activist for civil rights and social justice, working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and participating in the Civil Rights Movement. His contributions to both the entertainment industry and social activism have left a lasting impact on American culture.
Harry Belafonte Early Life And Career
Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927, at the Lying-in Hospital in Harlem, New York. His parents, Harold George Bellanfanti Sr., a cook, and Melvine (nee Love), a housekeeper, were from Jamaica. There are disputable claims regarding his father’s birthplace, which is also stated as Martinique, which was French territory at the time.
His mother was born to a Scottish Jamaican mother and an Afro-Jamaican father. His father was born to a Black American mother and a Sephardic Jewish father from the Netherlands. Harry Jr. was raised as a Catholic.
Belafonte attended Wolmer’s Schools while living with one of his grandparents in Jamaica from 1932 until 1940. He attended George Washington High School in New York City after his return, at which point he enlisted in the American Navy and served there during World War II.
He was assisting a janitor in the 1940s when a renter gave him two tickets to visit the American Negro Theater as a tip. Along with falling in love with the medium, he also grew close to Sidney Poitier. The two frequently went to local plays together in a single seat, switching seats after each act after explaining the play’s plot to the other.
Belafonte studied acting with the prominent German director Erwin Piscator at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York City towards the end of the 1940s while appearing with the American Negro Theater alongside Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Bea Arthur, and Poitier.
For his performance in the Broadway revue John Murray Anderson’s Almanac (1954), he subsequently won a Tony Award. Alongside Gower Champion, he also appeared in the Broadway revue 3 for Tonight from 1955.
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Cause of Death for Harry Belafonte: Jumping the Line Singer passed away from heart failure
Congestive heart failure was reported as the cause of Harry Belafonte’s death on April 25, 2023. He tragically passed away at the age of 96. Belafonte died on Tuesday at his home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, according to his longtime publicist Ken Sunshine.
Everyone is grieving his passing, and tributes are pouring in on social media. Fans also want to know how he is doing physically before he passes away.
Belafonte defeated prostate cancer when he was 69 years old. Even at the Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach, Belafonte discussed his health. Even though he had surgery to treat his ailment, he still experienced incontinence issues.
Harry Belafonte Obituary and Funeral Details Explored
Harry Belafonte, an American singer, passed away on April 25, 2023, and his obituary had already been published. Everyone was devastated when his publicist Ken Sunshine broke the news to the globe.
After that, everyone was interested in learning about Belafonte’s burial arrangements. The officials have not provided any information regarding Harry’s services as of the time of this post.
DAMN, RIP Harry Belafonte.
Civil rights activist, musician, actor.
LEGEND. 👑Rest in power, Sir. pic.twitter.com/BI0SFf8zhg
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) April 25, 2023
Therefore, it is impossible to say if the funeral services were private. In addition, the Belafonte family is getting condolence messages via a variety of social media channels.
Belafonte also left behind his cherished wife, Pamela Frank, whom he wed in 2008. He was also the father of four children from his numerous marriages.
Harry Belafonte’s Health Condition Before Death
Harry Belafonte battled prostate cancer, as was previously stated. He has also spoken in an interview about his illness and has been honest about it.
https://youtu.be/kLfWO8PesyI
Additionally, he underwent surgery and occasionally, prostatectomy—the procedure used to treat prostate cancer—which can result in erectile dysfunction.
Belafonte had claimed that despite this risk, he and his wife continued to experience a level of love that brought their lives together. Harry’s surgeons at John Hopkins University made the decision to operate on him.
Harry was terrified at the time. Later, he succeeded and led a successful life. Everyone was shocked to learn that he had passed away while leading a happy life.
It should be noted that Belafonte had three marriages throughout his life and led a happy life with his family. The Genius Celebs crew extends its sincere condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.
Conclusion
He was 96. The renowned actor and stage performer Harry Belafonte passed away on Tuesday morning at his home in New York City from congestive heart failure, according to his longtime publicist Ken Sunshine. Belafonte is also famous for his groundbreaking mainstream success in the 1950s music industry.
