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Dorothy Dandridge: Biography, Facts and Career

Who is Dorothy Dandridge? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team4 min read✓ Fact-checked
Dorothy Dandridge
MGM Television via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American actress and singer. She was the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for Carmen Jones (1954). Dandridge had 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 was the subject of the 1999 biographical film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, with Halle Berry portraying her. She had been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Dandridge was married and divorced twice, first to dancer Harold Nicholas (the father of her daughter, Harolyn Suzanne) and then to hotel owner Jack Denison. Dandridge died in 1965 at the age of 42.

Quick facts about Dorothy Dandridge

  • Full name: Dorothy Dandridge
  • Born: 1922-11-09
  • Nationality: United States
  • Known as: Musician
  • Wikidata ID: Q229251

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dorothy Dandridge?

Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American actress and singer.

What nationality is Dorothy Dandridge?

Dorothy Dandridge is United States.

When was Dorothy Dandridge born?

Dorothy Dandridge was born on 1922-11-09.

Sources

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