Biography

Born Harold George Belafonte Jr. on March 1st, 1927 in New York City, Harry Belafonte is an American singer, actor and social activist. Known as the “King of Calypso”, his most famous song, the “Banana Boat Song” is a classic. From 1932 to 1940, Harry lived with his grandmother in Jamaica. He later returned to the US. He served in the navy during WWII. He supported the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and even helped support Martin Luther King Jr’s family as well as being one of his confidants. He helped organize in 1985 the multi-artist “We Are the World” effort and performed in the Live Aid concert. In 1987, he was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Harry continues to act and has been a major critic of the George W. Bush administration and US Foreign Policy.