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Harry Belafonte

(1927-), Singer and actor

Sitter in 36 portraits
Grammy-award winner Belafonte popularised the Caribbean Calypso musical style which introduced Jamaican folk music to the United States and made it popular. His album ‘Calypso’ (1956) was the first million-selling LP by a solo artist. He is well known for many other musical genres including blues, folk and gospel and has released thirty studio albums and eight live albums, making him one of the most successful African-American singers in history. He has starred in several films including the hit musical ‘Carmen Jones’ (1954). A supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, he was a friend and confidante of Martin Luther King, Jnr. He is a goodwill ambassador for Unicef.

Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below

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Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4386

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4386

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x30477

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print on tissue and card mount, 25 February 1954
NPG x30477

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4380

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4380

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4381

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4381

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4384

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4384

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4385

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4385

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4387

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4387

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4390

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4390

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4391

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4391

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4392

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4392

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4393

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4393

Harry Belafonte, by Dorothy Wilding - NPG x4395

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print, 25 February 1954
NPG x4395

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35417

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35418

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35419

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35420

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35421

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35422

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35423

Web image not currently available

Harry Belafonte

by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 25 February 1954
NPG x35424

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