Skip to content

Top Navigation

EW.com EW.com
    • All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • Recaps
    • What to Watch
    • Winter TV
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Family
    • Horror
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
    • All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
    • All Music
    • Music Reviews
    • All What to Watch
    • What to Watch Podcast Episodes
    • TV Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • All BINGE
    • EW's Binge Podcast Episodes
    • Recaps
    • Survivor
    • This is Us
    • RuPaul's Drag Race
    • Stranger Things
    • The Boys
    • The Blacklist
    • The Walking Dead
    • Better Call Saul
    • All The Awardist
    • The Awardist Podcast Episodes
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
    • All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
    • All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
    • All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe

Explore EW.com

EW.com EW.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • A guide to The Last of Us Easter eggs

      A guide to The Last of Us Easter eggs

      From the Uncharted lighter to the giraffe plushie. Read More
    • 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards

      2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards

      From Brendan Fraser and Angela Bassett to a potential upset in Best Actress, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Read More
    • Meet the cast of Survivor 44

      Meet the cast of Survivor 44

      Here are the 18 contestants who will be vying for $1 million. Read More
  • TV

    TV

    See All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • Recaps
    • What to Watch
    • Winter TV
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Family
    • Horror
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies

    Movies

    See All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music

    Music

    See All Music
    • Music Reviews
  • What to Watch

    What to Watch

    See All What to Watch
    • What to Watch Podcast Episodes
    • TV Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
  • BINGE

    BINGE

    See All BINGE
    • EW's Binge Podcast Episodes
    • Recaps
    • Survivor
    • This is Us
    • RuPaul's Drag Race
    • Stranger Things
    • The Boys
    • The Blacklist
    • The Walking Dead
    • Better Call Saul
  • The Awardist

    The Awardist

    See All The Awardist
    • The Awardist Podcast Episodes
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Books

    Books

    See All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater

    Theater

    See All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events

    Events

    See All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Music
  3. Harry Belafonte Through the Years

Harry Belafonte Through the Years

Celebrate the star's 90th birthday with a look back
By Madeline Boardman Updated March 01, 2017 at 10:52 AM EST
Skip gallery slides
FB

1 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The Evolution of Harry Belafonte 

Close Your Eyes
Credit: Metronome/Getty Images

Born in New York on March 1, 1927, Harry Belafonte celebrates his 90th birthday Wednesday. Pictured here in the 1940s, the star kicked off his career as a singer, later expanding his work to acting and activism. Decades later, the star has an Emmy, Grammys, and an Academy Awards' Humanitarian Award to his name. In honor of his 90th, see photos of Harry Belafonte through the years, ahead.

1 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in the Early 1950s

Portrait Of Harry Belafonte Smiling

2 of 41

3 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte on Three for Tonight on January 22, 1955

Harry Belafone Performs On 'Three For Tonight'

3 of 41

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte With Dorothy Dandridge and Joe Adams in Carmen Jones in 1954

Carmen Jones
Credit: Henry Gris/FPG/Getty Images

4 of 41

Advertisement

5 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in the 1950s

Dancing Harry

5 of 41

6 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in 1956

Harry Belafonte Portrait

6 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in a Recording Studio in 1957

Harry Belafonte

7 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in 1957

Harry Belafonte Portrait
Credit: Archive Photos/Getty Images

8 of 41

Advertisement

9 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte on The Bell Telephone Hour in December 1958

The Bell Telephone Hour

9 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte With Julie Robinson and David Belafonte in New York City in 1959

Belafonte And Family
Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

10 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the 1960 Emmy Awards on June 20, 1960

Harry Belafone Wins Emmy
Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

11 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at Kennedy International Airport on August 14, 1964

King And Belafonte
Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

12 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte With Sidney Poitier and Charleton Heston at the Lincoln Memorial During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963

At The Lincoln Memorial During March On Washington
Credit: PhotoQuest/Getty Images

13 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in 1965

Harry Belafonte
Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

14 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in the Late 1960s

Harry Belafonte
Credit: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

15 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in the Late 1960s

Harry Belafonte
Credit: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

16 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

17 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Julie Andrews on An Evening with Julie Andrews and Harry Belafonte in 1969

An Evening with Julie Andrews and Harry Belafonte
Credit: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

17 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

18 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Muhammad Ali at the 31st Annual Beaux Arts Ball in New York City in 1971

31th Annual Beaux Arts Ball
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage

18 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

19 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the George V Hotel in Paris on June 14, 1976

FRANCE-MUSIC-BELAFONTE

19 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

20 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in 1980

Harry Belafonte, S?nger, Schauspieler, USA - undatiert
Credit: Will/ullstein bild via Getty Images

20 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

21 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in New York City in 1985

Harry Belafonte Portrait

21 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

22 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte Performing in Paris on September 24, 1988

FRANCE-MUSIC-BELAFONTE

22 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

23 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte Performing in London in 1990

Harry Belafonte

23 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

24 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Jack Nicholson Celebrating President Bill Clinton's Inauguration in Washington, D.C. on January 17, 1993 

Harry Belafonte And Jack Nicholson
Credit: Cynthia Johnson/Liaison

24 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

25 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the United Nations Headquarters on June 16, 1994

South African activist and Nobel Peace P
Credit: JOHN LEVY/AFP/Getty Images

25 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

26 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte on March 16, 1998

Harry Belafonte, Musiker, S?nger, USA - 1998
Credit: Brill/ullstein bild via Getty Images

26 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

27 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Danny Glover Outside Carnegie Hall in New York City on November 30, 1998

Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte outside Carnegie Hall after
Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

27 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

28 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte, Julie Robinson, and Nelson Mandela on June 15, 1999

S.AFRICA-MANDELA-BELAFONTE
Credit: THEMBA HADEBE/AFP/Getty Images

28 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

29 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at On Stage at the Kennedy Center: The Mark Twain Prize on October 15, 2001

On Stage at the Kennedy Center - The Mark Twain Prize - Show

29 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

30 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte in New York City on March 26, 2002

Harry Belafonte Portrait

30 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

31 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the 5th Annual Dubai International Film Festival on December 15, 2008

The 5th Annual Dubai International Film Festival - Portraits

31 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

32 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the 1199 SEIU's 50th Anniversary Celebration in New York City on December 18, 2009

1199 SEIU's 50th Anniversary Celebration

32 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

33 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the Bing Decision Maker Series in Park City, Utah on January 22, 2011

The Bing Decision Maker Series with the “Sing Your Song” Cast and Filmmakers - 2011 Park City
Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images

33 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

34 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at Sing Your Song Photocall at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival on February 12, 2011

61st Berlin Film Festival - "Sing Your Song" Photocall

34 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

35 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the Museum Of Arts And Design in New York City on April 2, 2011

18th New York African Film Festival - "African Rhythmus" Panel Discussion
Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

35 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

36 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the 44th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on February 1, 2013

44th NAACP Image Awards - Portraits
Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards

36 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

37 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at NYC Pride 2013 on June 30, 2013

NYC Pride 2013 - The March
Credit: Michael Stewart/WireImage

37 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

38 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 2014 Governors Awards in Hollywood on November 8, 2014

Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 2014 Governors Awards - Show
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

38 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement

39 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Pamela Frank in New York City on May 31, 2016 

Celebrities Visit Broadway - May 31, 2016
Credit: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

39 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

40 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte and Michael B. Jordan at the 2016 Many Rivers To Cross Festival at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia on October 2, 2016

2016 Many Rivers To Cross Festival
Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images

40 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

41 of 41

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Harry Belafonte at the 2016 Library Lions Gala at the New York Public Library on November 7, 2016

2016 Library Lions Gala
Credit: Gary Gershoff/WireImage

41 of 41

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Madeline Boardman

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 41 The Evolution of Harry Belafonte 
    2 of 41 Harry Belafonte in the Early 1950s
    3 of 41 Harry Belafonte on Three for Tonight on January 22, 1955
    4 of 41 Harry Belafonte With Dorothy Dandridge and Joe Adams in Carmen Jones in 1954
    5 of 41 Harry Belafonte in the 1950s
    6 of 41 Harry Belafonte in 1956
    7 of 41 Harry Belafonte in a Recording Studio in 1957
    8 of 41 Harry Belafonte in 1957
    9 of 41 Harry Belafonte on The Bell Telephone Hour in December 1958
    10 of 41 Harry Belafonte With Julie Robinson and David Belafonte in New York City in 1959
    11 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the 1960 Emmy Awards on June 20, 1960
    12 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at Kennedy International Airport on August 14, 1964
    13 of 41 Harry Belafonte With Sidney Poitier and Charleton Heston at the Lincoln Memorial During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963
    14 of 41 Harry Belafonte in 1965
    15 of 41 Harry Belafonte in the Late 1960s
    16 of 41 Harry Belafonte in the Late 1960s
    17 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Julie Andrews on An Evening with Julie Andrews and Harry Belafonte in 1969
    18 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Muhammad Ali at the 31st Annual Beaux Arts Ball in New York City in 1971
    19 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the George V Hotel in Paris on June 14, 1976
    20 of 41 Harry Belafonte in 1980
    21 of 41 Harry Belafonte in New York City in 1985
    22 of 41 Harry Belafonte Performing in Paris on September 24, 1988
    23 of 41 Harry Belafonte Performing in London in 1990
    24 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Jack Nicholson Celebrating President Bill Clinton's Inauguration in Washington, D.C. on January 17, 1993 
    25 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the United Nations Headquarters on June 16, 1994
    26 of 41 Harry Belafonte on March 16, 1998
    27 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Danny Glover Outside Carnegie Hall in New York City on November 30, 1998
    28 of 41 Harry Belafonte, Julie Robinson, and Nelson Mandela on June 15, 1999
    29 of 41 Harry Belafonte at On Stage at the Kennedy Center: The Mark Twain Prize on October 15, 2001
    30 of 41 Harry Belafonte in New York City on March 26, 2002
    31 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the 5th Annual Dubai International Film Festival on December 15, 2008
    32 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the 1199 SEIU's 50th Anniversary Celebration in New York City on December 18, 2009
    33 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the Bing Decision Maker Series in Park City, Utah on January 22, 2011
    34 of 41 Harry Belafonte at Sing Your Song Photocall at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival on February 12, 2011
    35 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the Museum Of Arts And Design in New York City on April 2, 2011
    36 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the 44th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on February 1, 2013
    37 of 41 Harry Belafonte at NYC Pride 2013 on June 30, 2013
    38 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 2014 Governors Awards in Hollywood on November 8, 2014
    39 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Pamela Frank in New York City on May 31, 2016 
    40 of 41 Harry Belafonte and Michael B. Jordan at the 2016 Many Rivers To Cross Festival at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia on October 2, 2016
    41 of 41 Harry Belafonte at the 2016 Library Lions Gala at the New York Public Library on November 7, 2016

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message
    EW.com

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Meredith© Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EW.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://ew.com

    View image

    Harry Belafonte Through the Years
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.