Dorothy Dandridge
Born: 1922-11-09 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Died: 1965-09-08
Known For: Acting
Biography
Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American actress and singer. She was the first African-American film star to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, which was for her performance in Carmen Jones (1954). Dandridge also performed as a vocalist in venues such as the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater. During her early career, she performed as a part of The Wonder Children, later The Dandridge Sisters, and appeared in a succession of films, usually in uncredited roles. In 1959, Dandridge was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Porgy and Bess. She is the subject of the 1999 biographical film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, with Halle Berry portraying her. She has been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Filmography
2004
- The Harlem Renaissance as Self (archive footage)
2003
- Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty as Self (archive footage)
2002
- It's Black Entertainment as Self (archive footage)
2001
- Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies as Self (archive footage)
1961
- Cain's Hundred as Norma Sherman
- The Murder Men as Norma Sherman
1960
- Moment of Danger as Gianna
1959
- Porgy and Bess as Bess
1958
- Tamango as Aiché, Reiker's mistress
- The Decks Ran Red as Mahia
1957
- Island in the Sun as Margot Seaton
1954
- Carmen Jones as Carmen Jones
1953
- The Oscars as Self
- Remains to Be Seen as Dorothy Dandridge
- Bright Road as Jane Richards
1951
- Tarzan's Peril as Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba
- The Harlem Globetrotters as Ann Carpenter
1950
- The Colgate Comedy Hour as Self
1948
- The Ed Sullivan Show as Self
1946
- Swingtime Jamboree as Herself
1945
- Pillow to Post as Herself - Vocalist (uncredited)
1944
- Atlantic City as Singer
- Since You Went Away as Black Officer's Wife in Train Station (uncredited)
1943
- Hit Parade of 1943 as Count Basie Band Singer
- Happy Go Lucky as Showgirl (uncredited)
- Moo Cow Boogie as Singer
1942
- Lucky Jordan as Hollyhock School Maid
- Night in New Orleans as Sal, Shadrach's Girl (uncredited)
- Orchestra Wives as Singer/Dancer
- Blackbird Fantasy
- Drums of the Congo as Princess Malimi
- Paper Doll as Self
- A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat
- Cow-Cow Boogie as Cowgirl
1941
- Lazybones
- Yes, Indeed!
- Bahama Passage as Thalia
- Sundown as Kipsang's Wife
- Lady from Louisiana as Felice
- Sun Valley Serenade as Specialty Act
- Ride 'Em Cowboy as Dancer (uncredited)
- Jungle Jig
- Easy Street
- A Jig in the Jungle as Self
- Swing for Your Supper as Vocalist
1940
- Irene as One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)
- International Revels as Self
- Four Shall Die as Helen Fielding
1938
- Snow Gets in Your Eyes as One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)
- Going Places as Member of The Dandridge Sisters
1937
- A Day at the Races as Singer (uncredited)
- It Can't Last Forever as Dandridge Sisters Act (uncredited)
1935
- Teacher's Beau as Student