Harry Belafonte, Iconic Singer, Actor and Activist, Passes Away at 96

Beloved Singer, Actor and Activist Harry Belafonte Dies at 96

Harry Belafonte, a beloved singer, actor and activist credited with introducing the United States to Caribbean music and bankrolling the civil rights movement, died on Tuesday at 96, The New York Times reported, citing his spokesperson. Belafonte, an acclaimed screen and stage performer also remembered for his trailblazing mainstream success in the 1950s music industry, died of congestive heart failure on Tuesday morning at his home in New York City, his longtime publicist Ken Sunshine said.

The King of Calypso, as he became known, used the considerable wealth and publicity he earned to advance civil rights and other progressive causes right until his death. Belafonte first achieved fame in the 1950s with film and musical theater roles that broke new ground for Black Americans in the entertainment industry. His career truly took off, however, when he recorded wildly popular renditions of Caribbean folk and calypso songs, including, most famously, “Day-O (Banana Boat Song).”

Belafonte was a close friend and confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and he was a major financial contributor to the civil rights movement. He was also a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and a strong advocate for the United Nations.

In 2018, CBS News’ Vladimir Duthiers sat down with Belafonte for an interview about his life and legacy. During the interview, Belafonte said he was proud of the work he had done and the impact he had made on the world. “I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to make a contribution to the human condition,” he said.

Belafonte’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched and the causes he championed. He will be remembered for his courage, his commitment to justice and his unwavering dedication to making the world a better place.