Dorothy Dandridge
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.
Known For
Bess
Porgy and Bess
Margot Seaton
Island in the Sun
Specialty Act
Sun Valley Serenade
Carmen Jones
Carmen Jones
Sarah Vaughan & Other Jazz Divas
Self
Paper Doll
Thalia
Bahama Passage
Jane Richards
Bright Road
Aiché, Reiker's mistress
Tamango
Singer/Dancer
Orchestra Wives
Showgirl (uncredited)
Happy Go Lucky
Dandridge Sisters Act (uncredited)
It Can't Last Forever
Mahia
The Decks Ran Red
Vocalist
Swing for Your Supper
Princess Malimi
Drums of the Congo
Yes, Indeed!
Blackbird Fantasy
Jungle Jig
Gianna
Moment of Danger
Dorothy Dandridge
Remains to Be Seen
Felice
Lady from Louisiana
Norma Sherman
The Murder Men
Kipsang's Wife
Sundown
Member of The Dandridge Sisters
Going Places
Dancer (uncredited)
Ride 'Em Cowboy
One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)
Snow Gets in Your Eyes
Count Basie Band Singer
Hit Parade of 1943
Singer
Atlantic City
Singer (uncredited)
A Day at the Races
Self (archive footage)
Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies
Self (archive footage)
The Harlem Renaissance
Helen Fielding
Four Shall Die
Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba
Tarzan's Peril
Ann Carpenter
The Harlem Globetrotters
Black Officer's Wife in Train Station (uncredited)
Since You Went Away
(archive footage)
Ebony Parade
One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)
Irene
Easy Street
Lazybones
Herself - Vocalist (uncredited)
Pillow to Post
Cowgirl
Cow-Cow Boogie
Self (archive footage)
It's Black Entertainment
Hollyhock School Maid
Lucky Jordan
Self (archive footage)
Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
Sal, Shadrach's Girl (uncredited)
Night in New Orleans
Herself
Swingtime Jamboree
Singer
Moo Cow Boogie
A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat
Self
International Revels
Student
Teacher's Beau
Self
A Jig in the Jungle
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
51
Gender
Female
Birthday
1922-11-09
Place of Birth
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Also Known As