Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 9, 1922. Under the prodding of her mother, Dorothy and her sister began performing publicly usually in black Baptist churches throughout the country. Her mother, an entertainer herself, would often join her daughters on stage. As the depression worsened, Dorothy and her family picked up and moved to Los Angeles where they had hopes of finding better work, perhaps in film. Her first film was in the Marx Brothers comedy, A DAY AT THE RACES in 1937. It was only a bit part but Dorothy had hopes that it would blossom into something better. But because she was a black woman in a very prejudiced society, she didn't land the roles that were readily available to her white counterparts. She did not appear in another film until 1940 in FOUR SHALL DIE. The role was nothing great other than to establish the fact that she was very beautiful and talented. Her next few roles in the early forties included films such as BAHAMA PASSAGE (1941), DRUMS OF THE CONGO (1942), and CHANGE OF HEART (1943). There were others in between, of course, but they were the usual black stereotypical films for women such as Dorothy. Not only was she a talented actress but she could also sing which was evident in films such as ATLANTIC CITY (1944) and PILLOW TO POST (1945). This helped to showcase her talents as a singer and brought her headline acts in the nation's finest hotel nightclubs in New York, Miami, Chicago, and Las Vegas. She may have been allowed to sing in these fine hotels, but because of racism, she couldn't stay there. It was reported that one hotel drained its swimming pool to keep her from enjoying that little amenity. In 1954, Dorothy appeared in the all-black production of CARMEN JONES in the title role. She was so superb in that picture that she garnered an Academy Award nomination but lost out to Grace Kelly in THE COUNTRY GIRL. Despite the nomination for her performance Dorothy did not get another movie until she appeared in TAMANGO (1956) which was an Italian film. She was to make six more motion pictures of which ISLAND IN THE SUN (1957) and PORGY AND BESS (1959) were worthy of mention. Once again she was a standout. The last movie she would ever play would be in 1961's THE MURDER MEN. Dorothy faded quickly after that with a poor second marriage to Jack Denison (her first was to Haroled Nicholas), poor investments,other financial woes, and a problem with alcohol. She was found dead in her West Hollywood apartment on September 8, 1965, the victim of a barbituate poisoning. She was only 41. Had she been born 20 years later, Dorothy Dandridge would no doubt be one of the most well-known actresses in film history.
Malaga (1960): $75,000
Porgy and Bess (1959): $75,000
The Decks Ran Red (1958): $75,000
Tamango (1958): $100,000
Island in the Sun (1957): $75,000
Carmen Jones (1954): $1,800/week
Remains to Be Seen (1953): $3,000
Bright Road (1953): $1,500/week
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.