ReelRifter
Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge

Acting

Born November 9, 1922 — Died September 8, 1965 Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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.

TV Shows(4)

Movies(51)

Sarah Vaughan & Other Jazz Divas

Sarah Vaughan & Other Jazz Divas

2005

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance

Self (archive footage)

2004

Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty

Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty

Self (archive footage)

2003

It's Black Entertainment

It's Black Entertainment

Self (archive footage)

2002

Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies

Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies

Self (archive footage)

2001

The Murder Men

The Murder Men

Norma Sherman

1961

Moment of Danger

Moment of Danger

Gianna

1960

Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess

Bess

1959

The Decks Ran Red

The Decks Ran Red

Mahia

1958

Tamango

Tamango

Aiché, Reiker's mistress

1958

Island in the Sun

Island in the Sun

Margot Seaton

1957

Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones

1954

Remains to Be Seen

Remains to Be Seen

Dorothy Dandridge

1953

Bright Road

Bright Road

Jane Richards

1953

The Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters

Ann Carpenter

1951

Tarzan's Peril

Tarzan's Peril

Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba

1951

Swingtime Jamboree

Swingtime Jamboree

Herself

1946

Pillow to Post

Pillow to Post

Herself - Vocalist (uncredited)

1945

Atlantic City

Atlantic City

Singer

1944

Since You Went Away

Since You Went Away

Black Officer's Wife in Train Station (uncredited)

1944

Hit Parade of 1943

Hit Parade of 1943

Count Basie Band Singer

1943

Happy Go Lucky

Happy Go Lucky

Showgirl (uncredited)

1943

Moo Cow Boogie

Moo Cow Boogie

Singer

1943

Lucky Jordan

Lucky Jordan

Hollyhock School Maid

1942

A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat

A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat

1942

Orchestra Wives

Orchestra Wives

Singer/Dancer

1942

Blackbird Fantasy

Blackbird Fantasy

1942

Drums of the Congo

Drums of the Congo

Princess Malimi

1942

Night in New Orleans

Night in New Orleans

Sal, Shadrach's Girl (uncredited)

1942

Cow-Cow Boogie

Cow-Cow Boogie

Cowgirl

1942

Paper Doll

Paper Doll

Self

1942

Bahama Passage

Bahama Passage

Thalia

1941

Yes, Indeed!

Yes, Indeed!

1941

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Dancer (uncredited)

1941

Sundown

Sundown

Kipsang's Wife

1941

A Jig in the Jungle

A Jig in the Jungle

Self

1941

Sun Valley Serenade

Sun Valley Serenade

Specialty Act

1941

Jungle Jig

Jungle Jig

1941

Swing for Your Supper

Swing for Your Supper

Vocalist

1941

Lady from Louisiana

Lady from Louisiana

Felice

1941

Easy Street

Easy Street

1941

Lazybones

Lazybones

1941

Four Shall Die

Four Shall Die

Helen Fielding

1940

International Revels

International Revels

Self

1940

Irene

Irene

One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)

1940

Going Places

Going Places

Member of The Dandridge Sisters

1938

Snow Gets in Your Eyes

Snow Gets in Your Eyes

One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)

1938

It Can't Last Forever

It Can't Last Forever

Dandridge Sisters Act (uncredited)

1937

A Day at the Races

A Day at the Races

Singer (uncredited)

1937

Teacher's Beau

Teacher's Beau

Student

1935

Ebony Parade

Ebony Parade

(archive footage)