Harry Belafonte, singer, actor and activist dies at 96
Singer, actor, and industry legend Harry Belafonte has died at 96... now many of his friends, family, and admirers send their condolences.
Harry Belafonte, the musician, actor, and activist, passed away at ninety-six on 25 April.
Born into a working-class family in Harlem in the late 1920s, Belafonte would be a staunch fighter for labor and civil rights throughout his life. According to Ken Sunshine, Belafonte’s spokesman, he passed away from congenital heart failure caused by natural causes in New York City.
Fans and friends remember the great Harry Belafonte
Throughout his life, Belafonte garnered love and admiration from his fans, those who followed his work, and other artists. Mia Farrow paid tribute to Belafonte on Twitter, noting his kindness and bravery. “Harry’s life shines as an example for us all to strive for,” said Farrow.
Harry’s life shines as an example for all of us to strive for. He lived for humankind. He stood against injustice - not only here but in South Africa & around the world. He was a UNICEF Ambassador for 25 yrs. If we could be more like Harry, what a wonderful world it could be.
— Mia Farrow 💙🏳️🌈 🌻 (@MiaFarrow) April 25, 2023
Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., also tweeted out her condolences. King recalled that as a child, Belafonte always “showed up for my family in very compassionate ways.”
When I was a child, #HarryBelafonte showed up for my family in very compassionate ways.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 25, 2023
In fact, he paid for the babysitter for me and my siblings.
Here he is mourning with my mother at the funeral service for my father at Morehouse College.
I won’t forget…Rest well, sir. pic.twitter.com/31OC1Ajc0V
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Journalist Christiane Amanpour paid tribute to Belaforte, calling him a “lionhearted civil rights hero” who “inspired generations around the world in the struggle for non-violent resistance.”
May Harry Belafonte, the lionhearted civil rights hero, rest in peace. He inspired generations around the whole world in the struggle for non-violent resistance justice and change. We need his example now more than ever. pic.twitter.com/oBTBBvx3ra
— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) April 25, 2023
These three messages (of many that have been posted and will be) show that Belafonte was much more than an entertainer: he was a friend to many communities around the world who needed a friend and a fighter.