Harry Belafonte
Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
Latest News on Harry Belafonte:
Six Degrees of Broadway
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Harry Belafonte
Connection
BIO
Harry Belafonte is an American singer, songwriter, activist, and actor. He is one of the most successful Jamaican-American pop stars in history. Belafonte is known for his recording of "The Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". He has recorded and performed in many genres, including blues, folk, gospel, show tunes, and American standards.
He has starred in films, including Otto Preminger's hit musical Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957), and Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).
Belafonte has won three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. He also received the Kennedy Center Honors and was awarded the National Medal of Arts. In 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards.
Throughout his career he has been an advocate for political and human rights cause. He was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s.
Photos
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: (L-R) Kerry Kennedy, Harry Belafonte, Pamela Frank and Danny Glover attend Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Hosts Annual Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner on December 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images fo
From: Photo Flash: Alec Baldwin, Usher & More Attend Ripple of Hope Awards
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
See how Harry Belafonte connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Awards and Nominations
winner
Harry Belafonte, John Murray Anderson's Almanac
winner
Harry Belafonte, John Murray Anderson's Almanac
Videos
News
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 26, 2026
See some of the biggest names performing at cabaret venues this month - at a range of budget points, from a free outdoor concert with Common to RENT stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in their reliably sold-out duo act. We've put together a list of some of the biggest stars of the stage and screen and the biggest names in jazz, cabaret and Broadway with shows in NYC.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 16, 2026
See some of the biggest names with free outdoor concerts in NYC this summer including the rapper Common, singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, “human beatbox” Doug E. Fresh and more.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 14, 2026
Read a conversation about the singer's role in shaping Clayton's latest album, which draws on repertoire personally meaningful to Marie alongside original compositions
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jun 29, 2026
Check out our top cabaret shows and concerts for Summer 2026 in NYC including Common, Tony Danza (TAXI), RENT stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, and more.
by Stephen Sorokoff - Jun 15, 2026
The 6/14 presentation was as slam dunk as music fans celebrated The Knicks win and Harold Arlen's legendary songs. See photos from the show. Songbook Sundays returns 8/9 with Tony Bennett's centennial.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jun 3, 2026
See photos from diverse and versatile singer La Tanya Hall's May 30 show at Birdland Jazz Club snapped by photographer Conor Weiss. The singer has toured with artists including Steely Dan, Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte and Aretha Franklin.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2026
Songbook Sundays will continue at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club with Gotta Right to Sing Harold Arlen, starring Christine Andreas, Nikki Renée Daniels, and Benny Benack III.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The Public Theater has announced the lineup for The Public’s Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 season. The season lineup will include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, plus works from James Ijames, Ryan J. Haddad, Richard Nelson, Taylor Mac, and more.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Prospect Musicals announced the full line-up for its 2026 Gala & Muse Awards at The Edison Ballroom, honoring LaChanze, Ken Davenport, Lindsay Mendez, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Jose Antonio Vargas.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 1, 2026
Brandon Wilson, Soap Collins, and Aaron Holliday are set to star in Pockets of Heaven, the feature directorial debut of Maria Belafonte. Joining the ensemble are Alfre Woodard, along with Jonas Gindin, Gilberto Ortiz, and rapper-musician MAVI.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 31, 2026
The lineup has been announced for the 33rd edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), spotlighting 14 contemporary and classic feature films and 25 short films.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 4, 2026
Award-winning singer/songwriter and actress Andra Day will be honored with the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at WhyHunger’s Chapin Awards Gala on May 6, 2026, at Cipriani 25 in New York City.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jan 27, 2026
Axelrod Performing Arts Center will soon present the premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical, starring and directed by N’Kenge. The cast recently met the press ahead of their first rehearsal. Check out photos here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2026
On Saturday, February 7, Flushing Town Hall will present GLOBAL MASHUP: The George Gee Swing Orchestra Meets the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Octet. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2026
A new production of the beloved musical The Fantasticks, reimagined as a contemporary gay love story, is now in development for Broadway under the direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 2, 2026
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that actress, choreographer, and dancer Carmen de Lavallade has died at age 94. Learn more about her and read the full obituary here.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 1, 2025
LYRICS FROM LOCKDOWN returns to Los Angeles this month for a one-night-only performance. The show is a one-man show bringing 40 characters to life, telling two unbelievable true stories using hip-hop theater, spoken word, blues, calypso, comedy, and a video DJ.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 24, 2025
The award-winning choir brings their all-new concert, PEACE, to Queens as part of their 60-City North American Tour. The inspirational concert also features spirited music by Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, and more.
by Gillian Blum - Nov 23, 2025
Axelrod Performing Arts Center announced the premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical, starring Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award-nominated internationally acclaimed performer N’Kenge.
by Paul Batterson - Oct 2, 2025
“You have to prepare your soul and clear your mind as you’re getting ready to go on. I ask myself, ‘why are you sending this message?’ and ‘what does the message mean to you today?’ every day before I go out on stage.” Mary Mulovhedzi
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Harry Belafonte has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.
Harry Belafonte has not appeared in the West End.
Performance (Theatre World Awards) for John Murray Anderson's Almanac and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for John Murray Anderson's Almanac.
Harry Belafonte has won several awards throughout his career, including a Theatre World Award for Performance in John Murray Anderson's Almanac. Additionally, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, three Grammy Awards for Best Folk Recording and Best American Album, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Entertainment, the Kennedy Center Honors, and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in the production of "Carib Song." He has also been nominated for various other honors, acknowledging his contributions to music, film, and social activism.
Harry Belafonte has written 1 shows including John Murray Anderson's Almanac (Composer/Lyricist).
