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Lena Horne Headshot

Lena Horne

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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BIO

Horne was an American dancer, actress, Grammy-winning singer, and civil rights activist. Horne's career spanned over 70 years, appearing in film, television, and theater. Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood.



Horne advocated for human rights and took part in the March on Washington in August 1963. Later she returned to her roots as a nightclub performer and continued to work on television, while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than 300 performances on Broadway. She then toured the country in the show, earning numerous awards and accolades. Horne continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, retreating from the public eye in 2000. Horne died of congestive heart failure on May 9, 2010, at the age of 92.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Lena Horne: "The Lady and Her Music"
[Broadway]
Unknown, 1981
Performer
Tony and Lena Sing
[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1974
Nine O'Clock Revue
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1961
Jamaica
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Savannah
Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1939
[Broadway]
1939
Performer
Dance With Your Gods
[Broadway]
1934
A Quadronne Girl
Pal Joey
[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Revival, 1978
Vera Simpson

Movies

The Duke Is Tops
[ 1938 ] Ethel Andrews
Cabin in the Sky
[ 1943 ] Georgia Brown
Swing Fever
[ 1943 ] Lena Horne
I Dood It
[ 1943 ] Lena Horne
Thousands Cheer
[ 1943 ] Lena Horne
Stormy Weather
[ 1943 ] Selina Rogers
Broadway Rhythm
[ 1944 ] Fernway de la Fer
Two Girls and a Sailor
[ 1944 ] Lena Horne
Ziegfeld Follies
[ 1945 ] Lena HorneLove
Words and Music
[ 1948 ] Lena Horne
Duchess of Idaho
[ 1950 ] Lena Horne
Meet Me in Las Vegas
[ 1956 ] Lena Horne
Death of a Gunfighter
[ 1969 ] Claire Quintana
The Wiz
[ 1978 ] Glinda the Good

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1981 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Lena Horne, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1981 - Special Citation

Lena Horne, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1981 - Special Tony Award

Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Lena Horne, Jamaica

Videos

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News


SIX Cast Will Perform on CNN's 'Thanksgiving In America' Photo
SIX Cast Will Perform on CNN's 'Thanksgiving In America'
by Stephi Wild - Nov 24, 2025

The cast of SIX, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss's Tony Award-winning musical, will appear on CNN's “Thanksgiving in America” this Thanksgiving. Learn more about the appearance here!
THE WIZ National Tour is Coming to The North Charleston PAC Photo
THE WIZ National Tour is Coming to The North Charleston PAC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 11, 2025

Everybody look around! The Wiz is back and coming to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway, with its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk.
Photos: Phillip Officer's Mabel Mercer Album Release Concert at 54 Below Photo
Photos: Phillip Officer's Mabel Mercer Album Release Concert at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 29, 2025

On October 24, 2025, singer Phillip Officer celebrated the release of his new Mabel Mercer tribute album, You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer, with a concert at 54 Below in Manhattan. See photos by Conor Weiss
Listen: Phillip Officer's YOU FASCINATE ME SO Out Now Photo
Listen: Phillip Officer's YOU FASCINATE ME SO Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2025

xCENTER STAGE RECORDS has released You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer in streaming and digital formats. Listen here!
Exclusive: First Listen to Phillip Officer's Opening Medley From Upcoming Album Photo
Exclusive: First Listen to Phillip Officer's Opening Medley From Upcoming Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2025

The new album from Phillip Officer – who originated the role of the “Geek” in the Broadway’s Tony Award-nominated musical Side Show – is out tomorrow. BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to a track here!
Cabaret Roundup: October 20-26- Jackie Cox, Cabaret Convention & More Photo
Cabaret Roundup: October 20-26- Jackie Cox, Cabaret Convention & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 20, 2025

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week
Vince Giordano, Carole J. Bufford and More Will Play Birdland This Fall Photo
Vince Giordano, Carole J. Bufford and More Will Play Birdland This Fall
by Gillian Blum - Oct 19, 2025

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater announced their October 20 through November 2 lineup of shows, including The Bean Tones, Frank Catalano Quartet, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks, and Jim Caruso's Cast Party with Billy Stritch at the piano.
SEUSSICAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT and More Set for 54 Below Next Week Photo
SEUSSICAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT and More Set for 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Andew Keenan-Bolger, Ann Harada and more. Learn more!
Theater Resources Unlimited to Present 'Is Theater As Gay-Friendly As We Think?' Photo
Theater Resources Unlimited to Present 'Is Theater As Gay-Friendly As We Think?'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 16, 2025

A dependable haven for artists in isolation, Theater Resources Unlimited will present an upcoming town hall, Queery: Is Theater As Gay-Friendly As We Think?. Learn more and see how to attend.
Tickets to THE WIZ in Portland to go on Sale Next Week Photo
Tickets to THE WIZ in Portland to go on Sale Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2025

Tckets for the Portland, OR engagement of The Wiz will go on sale Monday, October 20 at 10 AM. Learn more about the Portland engagement and see how to purchase tickets here!
Listen: Melissa Errico Releases Two New Tracks From Forthcoming Album Photo
Listen: Melissa Errico Releases Two New Tracks From Forthcoming Album
by Stephi Wild - Oct 10, 2025

Tony Award–nominated Broadway actress, singer and author Melissa Errico has released a new two-song bundle, featuring the tracks “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” and “I Didn’t Know About You.'
Chris Mann to Release New EP SANTA, WE'RE READY in November Photo
Chris Mann to Release New EP SANTA, WE'RE READY in November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2025

Chris Mann is making spirits bright this season with the release of his brand-new holiday EP, Santa, We’re Ready. Learn more about the new album here!
Photos: The Queendom Reunites to Celebrate 4 Years of SIX Photo
Photos: The Queendom Reunites to Celebrate 4 Years of SIX
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 7, 2025

Broadway's global smash hit musical, SIX, honored the show's historical four-year reign with special guests Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss, and SIX Queens past and present. BroadwayWorld was there for the special day and you can check out photos from the epic reunion here!
Photos: SIX Celebrates 4 Years on Broadway Photo
Photos: SIX Celebrates 4 Years on Broadway
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 7, 2025

SIX Will Return to Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall In February 2026 Photo
SIX Will Return to Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall In February 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2025

The Tony Award-winning musical SIX will return to Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall for a limited run February 10–15, 2026. Tickets go on sale October 10 at 10 a.m..
Philip Officer Releases New Single 'I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore' Photo
Philip Officer Releases New Single 'I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

CENTER STAGE RECORDS has released the new single from You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer. Learn more about the single and listen here!
SIX Celebrates 4 Years on Broadway With Sweepstakes, Talkback, and More Photo
SIX Celebrates 4 Years on Broadway With Sweepstakes, Talkback, and More
by Stephi Wild - Oct 3, 2025

SIX the Musical is celebrating the show’s 4th anniversary on Broadway this weekend with a special talkback, sweepstakes, and more. Learn more about the special events here!
Hot Tickets of the Week: RAGTIME, THE OUTSIDERS and More Photo
Hot Tickets of the Week: RAGTIME, THE OUTSIDERS and More
by Team BWW - Sep 29, 2025

Let BroadwayWorld and Ticketmaster be your guide to which plays and musicals are the most buzz-worthy this week, starting September 29, 2025. Check out five Broadway shows we recommend that you should snag tickets to right now!
SIX to Launch Sweepstakes For Tickets and a Stay at the Civilian Hotel in NYC Photo
SIX to Launch Sweepstakes For Tickets and a Stay at the Civilian Hotel in NYC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 29, 2025

SIX is giving a special night on Broadway to one fan in honor of the upcoming anniversary of SIX’s opening night on Broadway. Learn more and see how to apply!
Lost Broadway Theaters Still Standing... Continued! Photo
Lost Broadway Theaters Still Standing... Continued!
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Sep 28, 2025

Multiple lost Broadway theaters intersect with the Hammerstein family. This follows since Oscar Hammerstein I was a theater owner and builder. In addition to Hammerstein’s which was named after him and is now the Ed Sullivan, and the New Victory which he originally built, there is also the Hammerstein Ballroom. Read more here!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Lena Horne been in?

Lena Horne has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Lena Horne been in?

Lena Horne has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Lena Horne been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Special Citation (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Special Tony Award (Tony Awards) for The Lady and Her Music and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jamaica.

What awards has Lena Horne won?

Lena Horne has received several prestigious awards for her work in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. These include the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards, a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and a Special Tony Award from the Tony Awards.

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