Harry Belafonte, a singer, actor, and activist known for his activism and trailblazing music, has died at the age of 96 (New York Times). He is remembered for breaking racial barriers in the 1950s, when he stormed the pop charts with his highly personal brand of folk music (CNN). Belafonte was an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement and his music was seen as a voice for the marginalized and oppressed (NBC News).
Belafonte died on Tuesday of congestive heart failure at his New York home and his wife, Pamela, was by his side (Honolulu Star-Advertiser). He was an award-winning actor, a calypso star, and a civil rights champion, but to his family, he was just “Dad” (Today).
Born in 1927 in Harlem, New York, Belafonte had a difficult childhood which included periods of homelessness and foster care (USA Today). He served in the Navy during World War II and later worked as a janitor before his singing career took off (NPR). He rose to fame in the 1950s with hits like “Jamaica Farewell” and “Day-O,” which he popularized with his soulful voice and charismatic stage presence (Fox News).
Despite his success, Belafonte remained committed to social justice causes and used his platform to raise awareness of the struggles of marginalized communities (CNN). He was a close friend and confidante of Martin Luther King Jr. and instrumental in supporting the civil rights movement (New York Times). Belafonte continued his activism in later years, campaigning against apartheid in South Africa and advocating for environmental causes (NBC News).
Belafonte’s son, David, paid tribute to his father, saying, “To the world, he was a legend, but to us, he was Dad” (Today). Fans and fellow musicians also mourned his passing, with singer Dionne Warwick calling him a “beautiful human being” and actor Mark Ruffalo describing him as “an absolute giant among men” (Honolulu Star-Advertiser).
Harry Belafonte’s legacy as a singer, actor, and activist will live on, inspiring future generations to use their voices to fight for change (USA Today).
