Harold George Belafonte was born in New York City. He attended George Washington High School, where he was on the track team. In 1944 he left high school and joined the Navy. His wife, Julie, was a featured dancer in Katherine Dunham's dance troupe. Both Harry and Julie were, and still are, extremely active in the civil rights struggle.
Carmen Jones (1954): $1,800/week

Born at 10:30am-EST He won a Tony in 1953 for "John Murray Anderson's Almanac." Father, with Robinson, of Gina Belafonte. Father, with Byrd, of Shari Belafonte. Father, with Robinson, of David Belafonte. Always outspoken in his beliefs, he created controversy in October of 2002 when he made disparaging remarks about Secretary of State Colin Powell. Far from being upset, Powell reportedly took the remarks good-humoredly, refusing to inflame the situation any further. Became a Kennedy Center honoree in 1986. Recorded the first million-selling LP album with "Calypso" (RCA: 1956), which started a craze for this traditional Jamaican folk music in the United States. A best-selling artist on RCA Victor records, his most successful albums with the label have included "Calypso", "Belefonte Sings of the Carribbean", "Belefonte at Carnegie Hall", "Belefonte Returns to Carnegie Hall", "Jump Up Calypso", "My Lord, What a Mornin'", "Belafonte at the Greek Theater", "The Midnight Special", "Streets I Have Walked", "Belefonte Sings of Love" and "Homeward Bound". Served in the United States Navy. Has a granddaughter, Sarafina An admirer and personal pal of Cuban President Fidel Castro. Won Broadway's 1954 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "John Murray Anderson's Almanac," becoming the first Black performer to win a Tony Award. Underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 1997. Performed "Turn the World Around" at Jim Henson's memorial service. He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1994 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.