Nickname:	Dorothy Dandridge / Dorothy Daindridge / The Dandridge Sisters / Dottie / Dottie Mae / Miss D / Bess
Known for:	Carmen Jones / Porgy and Bess / Bright Road
Birth name:	Dorothy Jean Dandridge
Birthday:	9 November 1922, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Height:	5' 5" (1.65 m)
Available Photos	40

Daughter of Ruby Dandridge. Sister of Vivian Dandridge. At the time of her death, there was $2.14 in her bank account. Her daughter was born with a brain injury. Interred at Forest Lawn (Glendale), Glendale, California, USA, in the Freedom Mausoleum, Columbarium of Victory. Madame Sul-Te-Wan was not her real life grandmother as is often rumored. In the definitive biography on Dandridge, by Donald Bogle, it is suggested that this rumor started because she played her grandmother in the film Carmen Jones. Referred to by Lena Horne as "...our Marilyn Monroe." Dated Rat Packer and actor Peter Lawford, who appeared at her funeral. Dated director Otto Preminger. Now thought to have suffered from manic depression. She was pursued for the role of Tuptim in "The King & I", but turned it down on the advice of Otto Preminger, who advised her not to accept a role in which she was not the star. Rita Moreno was then cast in the role. First black woman to grace the cover of Life Magazine. In September 1965 the New York Times reported that her death was caused by bone marrow particles from a fractured metatarsal bone in her right foot entered her bloodstream and reached her brain and lungs. Although she was a top-notch nightclub/caberet singer, she despised it. Suffered from near paralyzing stage fright whenever she had to perform. She loved soul food. Her favorite was chitterlings and greens, which she ate only once a week. Her best friend was Geraldine Pate Nicholas Branton, former wife of Fayard Nicholas of the tap dancing duo The Nicholas Brothers. Dated music composer Phil Moore, who was instrumental in launching her career as a nightclub singer in the 1940s. Was considered for the role of Billie Holiday in a movie; however, the project didn't materialize in her lifetime. When the movie did come to pass, the role was portrayed by Diana Ross. Is portrayed by Halle Berry in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. First African-American actress to be Oscar-nominated for "Best Actress in a Leading Role." She was first choice for the role of Cleopatra but ultimately the role went to Elizabeth Taylor. She was the first African-American to be nominated for a "Best Actress" Oscar. Halle Berry, who portrayed Dorothy in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, became the first African-American to win "Best Actress" at the Academy Awards. Was good friends with Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner when they were all young, struggling actresses in Hollywood. Died broke and deeply in debt in her apartment at 8495 Fountain Avenue, West Hollywood. Is one of only 7 African-American actresses to receive the Best Actress Oscar nomination. The others in chronological order are: Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett and Halle Berry.

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