Harry Belafonte
(1927-2023), Singer, actor and activistSitter in 36 portraits
Born Harold Bellanfanti, Jr. in Harlem to Jamaican-born parents, Belafonte's childhood was spent living in both Jamaica and New York. He later helped to introduce Jamaican folk music to American audiences by popularising Caribbean calypso music. His 1956 album Calypso became the first million-selling album by a single artist. Belafonte was also well known for other musical genres including blues, folk and gospel, and released dozens of albums over his long career. He became one of the most successful African-American singers in history, earning three Grammy Awards including a lifetime achievement award. He also found fame as an actor, having attended drama school and trained at the studio theatre of Harlem's pioneering American Negro Theatre. He starred in several films including the musical Carmen Jones (1954) and the thriller Odds Against Tomorrow (1959). A dedicated supporter of the US civil rights movement, he was a longtime friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., with whom he organised the 1963 March on Washington. He advocated for numerous political and humanitarian causes, including the anti-apartheid and gun control movements. From 1987 until his death he was a goodwill ambassador for Unicef.
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4386
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print on tissue and card mount, 25 February 1954
NPG x30477
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35417
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35418
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35419
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35420
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35421
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35422
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35423
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35424
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35425
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35426
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35427
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35428
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35429
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35430
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35431
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35432
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35433
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4382
by Dorothy Wilding
bromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4383
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4388
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4389
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4394
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4396
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4397
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4380
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4381
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4384
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4385
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4387
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4390
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4391
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4392
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4393
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4395
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