Dorothy Dandridge
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| 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 |
Trivia

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.
External Resources:
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Description: Celebrity Main Details
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