Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922–September 8, 1965) was an American actress. She was the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award in the Best Actress category and the third African American to receive a nomination in any category overall (after Hattie McDaniel and Ethel Waters). Dorothy Dandridge was the most successful and busy actresses of the 1950's. But in the 1950's Dandridge was the first african american female to appear at the Las Vegas Frontier, and the Waldolf Astoria. But in 1954 she was the first african american to be on the front cover of Life Magazine. Image File history File links Dorothy_Dandridge_56. ... is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: WeHo Location of Los Angeles County in California and West Hollywood within Los Angeles County Country United States State California County Los Angeles Incorporated 1984  - City Council John Heilman (mayor) Sal Guarriello John J. Duran Abbe Land Jeffrey Prang Area    - City  1. ... See also: 1934 in film 1935 1936 in film 1930s in film years in film film Events Judy Garland signs a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). ... // Events January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove is released. ... Harold Nicholas (March 27, 1921 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina - July 3, 2000 New York) youngest brother of the tap dancing pair The Nicholas Brothers. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actresses working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Carmen Jones was a 1943 Broadway musical, later also performed a 1954 musical film; the play also ran for a season in 1991 at Londons Old Vic. ... BAFTA Award The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is a British organisation that hosts annual awards shows for film, television, childrens film and television, and interactive media. ... The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role has been presented to its winners since 1952 and actresses of all nationalities are eligible to receive the award. ... Carmen Jones was a 1943 Broadway musical, later also performed a 1954 musical film; the play also ran for a season in 1991 at Londons Old Vic. ... The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... The Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy was first awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as a separate category in 1951. ... The cast of Porgy and Bess during the Boston try-out prior to the Broadway opening. ... is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Nomination is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office, or the bestowing of an honor or award. ... Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ... Hattie McDaniel (June 10, 1895 – October 26, 1952) was an African American actress. ... Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896–September 1, 1977) was an Oscar-nominated American blues vocalist and actress. ...

Career

Beginnings

Singing in her church's choir, her mother, Ruby Dandridge — an ambitious, small-time local performer who would become a successful stage and screen actress — created an act with her daughters that performed as "The Wonder Children", later renamed The Dandridge Sisters. The Dandridge Sisters toured in the South for five years with Ruby's lesbian partner, Geneva Williams, while Ruby continued working and performing in Ohio. Some biographies document this period as the beginning of the sexual abuse the young Dorothy would suffer from Williams until adolescence. During this period, the young Dandridge toured non-stop, rarely attending school. Early gigs for the Dandridge Sisters included the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... For the 1984 film of the same name, see The Cotton Club The Cotton Club was a famous night club in New York City that operated during and after Prohibition. ... Apollo Theater marquee, c. ... The Apollo Theater on 125th Street; the Hotel Theresa is visible in the background. ...

With the start of the Great Depression, work for the Wonder Children dried up as it did for many of the Chitlin' circuit performers. Ruby Jean Butler Dandridge packed her family and moved to Hollywood in search of a new career for her daughters and herself. In Los Angeles, she found steady work, playing a domestic in small parts on the radio and in film. During this time, Geneva continued to train and rehearse the girls; Dorothy was also re-enrolled in school. Her first on-screen appearance was a bit part in a 1935 Our Gang short called Teacher's Beau. She was featured in the 1937 Marx Brothers feature A Day at the Races, singing a solo in the production number "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm." The Great Depression was the result of the economic downturn that started with the stock market crash on October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... A poster for the 1931 Our Gang comedy Love Business featuring depictions of (from left to right): Pete the Pup, Jackie Cooper, and Norman Chubby Chaney. ... Short subject is an American film industry term that historically has referred to any film in the format of two reels, or approximately 20 minutes running time, or less. ... Groucho, Gummo, Minnie (mother), Zeppo, Frenchy (father), Chico and Harpo. ... A Day at the Races is a title of several works of film and music: A Day at the Races (movie), a 1937 film featuring the Marx Brothers A Day at the Races (album), a 1976 album by the rock group Queen A Day at the Races, a song appearing...

The Dandridge Sisters

Going Solo

Dandridge did not receive another role until 1940, when she appeared in Four Shall Die a race film, in which she played a murderer. All of her early roles were stereotypical parts for African American actresses, but her singing ability brought her popularity in nightclubs around the country. During this period, she starred in several "soundies", video films designed to be displayed on juke boxes, including Paper Doll by the Mills Brothers, "Cow Cow Boogie", "Jig In The Jungle", "Mr. & Mrs. Carpenter's Rent Party". Poster for Micheauxs film The Exile (1931) The race movie or race film was a cinematic genre which existed in the United States between about 1915 and 1945. ... Soundies were an early version of music videos. ... A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that can play specially selected songs from self-contained media. ... The Mills Brothers were a major African-American jazz and pop vocal quartet of the 20th century producing more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and garnered at least three dozen gold records. ...

Dorothy Dandridge and Pearl Bailey in Carmen Jones (1954)

Image File history File links Carmen_Jones. ... Image File history File links Carmen_Jones. ...

Other Movies and The Ed Sullivan Show

Despite the Oscar nomination, Dandridge had to go to Italy to make her next movie, Tamango, in 1956. She agreed to play "Tuptim" in The King and I, but later changed her mind (Rita Moreno got the part instead). This reneging may have led to her lack of work in Hollywood, and she was once again forced to go on tour and perform at clubs across the nation. In 1957, she played in Island in the Sun which was controversial for its portrayal of an interracial romance; in 1959 she starred in Porgy and Bess alongside Sidney Poitier, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Tamango is a 1958 film directed by John Berry, a black-listed American director who exiled himself to Europe. ... This article is about the 1956 film, for the musical on which the film was based, see The King and I The King and I is a 1956 musical film made by 20th Century Fox, directed by Walter Lang and produced by Charles Brackett and Darryl F. Zanuck. ... Rita Moreno on the 1962 album cover for Academy Award Winner Rita Moreno Sings Rita Moreno (born December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico) is an Academy Award-winning actress and the first and only Puerto Rican actress in history (as well as one of only nine people) to have... This article needs cleanup. ... The cast of Porgy and Bess during the Boston try-out prior to the Broadway opening. ... Sir Sidney Poitier KBE, (IPA pronunciation: ) (born February 20, 1927), is an Academy Award-winning Bahamian American actor, film director, and activist. ... The Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ...

In 1961, Dandridge guest-starred on the Ed Sullivan Show. She sang a ballad, giving viewers the chance to hear her real voice. (All the leads in Carmen Jones (film) had been dubbed, with the exception of Pearl Bailey.) The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television variety show that ran from June 20, 1948, to June 6, 1971, and was hosted by Ed Sullivan. ... Carmen Jones is a 1954 film adaptation of the Broadway Musical Carmen Jones. ... In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a motion picture. ... Pearl Bailey in “St. ...

Marriages

Dandridge married Harold Nicholas on September 6, 1942. The couple had one child, Harolyn Nicholas, Dandridge's only child. Harolyn was born on September 2, 1943; she was severely mentally handicapped. The couple divorced in October 1951. Dandridge became involved with Otto Preminger while he was still married. This affair lasted for years, but Preminger refused to divorce his wife. She also had a long affair with Peter Lawford after her divorce, but once their affair ended she married her second husband. Harold Nicholas (March 27, 1921 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina - July 3, 2000 New York) youngest brother of the tap dancing pair The Nicholas Brothers. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Rat Pack. ...

Dandridge married Jack Denison, a white man, on June 22, 1959. Denison was physically abusive and took much of Dandridge's money to put into his restaurant business and into oil deals. She filed for divorce after two years, but was left in debt. She had to take Harolyn out of a private institution and place her into a public institution. is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Debt (disambiguation). ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Carmen_jones.jpeg

Victory over tabloid journalism

Dandridge was one of the few Hollywood stars who answered subpoenas to testify at the 1957 criminal libel trial of Hollywood Research, Inc., the company that published all the show business tabloid magazines in that era. Dandridge and Maureen O'Hara, the other star who agreed to testify, were photographed shaking hands outside the downtown Los Angeles courtroom where the well-publicized trial was held. Testimony from O'Hara and a disgruntled former magazine editor provoked giddy tension as it became clear that the magazines' fascination with casual sex had made them vulnerable to hotel maids and other Los Angeles nobodies who got paid for their tips. When the entire jury and press visited Grauman's Chinese Theatre to prove whether O'Hara could have performed various acts while seated in the balcony, naturally the result was much humor in Hollywood and deaf ears elsewhere. Dandridge, however, pointed out a more serious problem when she took the witness stand. Maureen OHara Maureen OHara (born Maureen FitzSimons) on August 17, 1920 is an Irish film actress. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Alleged by one tabloid to have fornicated in the woods of Lake Tahoe with a white bandleader in 1950, she reminded the court that racial segregation had confined her to her hotel room during her nightclub gig in the Nevada resort city. She could have been arrested simply for leaving the hotel to buy food, cosmetics, or for any other reason. This proved beyond any doubt that the Hollywood Research company had committed libel at least once. Though the jury could not reach a verdict, the judge ordered the company's remaining employees to clean up their act. The magazines (Confidential, Hush-Hush, Whisper and others) lost their bite and faded from public discussion. Their downfall curtailed invasive tabloid journalism until many years after Dandridge's death. She had done herself a favor, probably without realizing it, in that nobody took advantage of the ambiguous circumstances of her death when it was fresh. There are no known photographs of the death scene or of the removal of her body from her West Hollywood, California apartment. Even high-profile former Los Angeles County coroner Thomas Noguchi gave only limited attention to Dorothy Dandridge in a short chapter of his book Coroner. Decades after her demise, the actress was alleged to have become sexually promiscuous, chemically addicted and foggy-minded toward the end of her life, but nobody in 1960s Los Angeles came forward to exploit these possibilities. Dr. Noguchi evidently dismissed them. Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains of the United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Carson City Largest city Las Vegas Area  Ranked 7th  - Total 110,567 sq mi (286,367 km²)  - Width 322 miles (519 km)  - Length 490 miles (788 km)  - % water 0. ... Confidential, July 1957. ... Nickname: WeHo Location of Los Angeles County in California and West Hollywood within Los Angeles County Country United States State California County Los Angeles Incorporated 1984  - City Council John Heilman (mayor) Sal Guarriello John J. Duran Abbe Land Jeffrey Prang Area    - City  1. ... Thomas T. Noguchi, born in 1926 in Japan, was the Chief Medical Examiner / Coroner for the County of Los Angeles from 1967 to 1982. ...

Those who have endured similar ordeals can point out that Dandridge's devastating experience with her daughter probably was the straw that broke her camel's back emotionally, but it is interesting to note that the actress was hardly dumbfounded by it. She discussed the issue of raising a mentally handicapped child on The Mike Douglas Show, videotaped in her hometown of Cleveland, in 1963. As is the case with nearly all TV talk shows from that era, the video and audio are gone. But a newspaper wire service report of Dandridge's remarks on the program survives. Once again she twisted the knife that was inside the dying art of invasive print journalism as she enhanced the new American phenomenon of the candid TV talk show. Talk shows overshadowed supermarket checkout lines until 12 years after Dorothy's death when Elvis' death changed everything. The Mike Douglas Show was an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that ran from 1961 to 1982. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Bankruptcy & Divorce

In the early 1960's, Dandridge was facing marital difficulties with her then husband Jack Denison. Jack told Dorothy on their honeymoon that he was losing his restaurant because of his financial problems. He persauded his new bride to support his income and sing at his nightspot. Some of the gigs were not payable; he became Violent with Dorothy, and he began milking her bank accounts. Dorothy asked Jack for a divorce but when the divorce was final he cut half of everything Dorothy owned and left to go back to Las Vegas. Dorothy later found out that she was $139,149.00 in debt and back taxes. She also learned that without the money, she would have sell her hollywood manison. Dorothy was later hospitalized for a nervous breakdown. The people who where handling her finances swindled her out of $150,000 and she was forced to place her daughter Harolyn Suzzane in a mental instution in Carmillo, California. Without any Acting Roles or Singing Gigs, Dorothy was 42 and alone. She was forced to move into a small apartment in West Hollywood California, 8495 Fountain Avenue.

The Comeback Of Dorothy Dandridge!

Later in 1965 Earl Mills informed Dorothy that he was getting her bookings in Tokyo, the Mocambo in New York, and the New York Basin Street East, and 2 mexican film roles, Dorothy later did 2 shows: 1 in Purto Rico, and New Mexico; All performances were sold out, Dorothy was know an the big picture again. While in Mexico she broke her ankle and had to be flown back to Los Angeles for testing. She was scheduled to go to New York City for an apperance In Basin Street East, Dorothy Dandridge was now in the headlines.

The Death Of Dorothy Dandridge

In September 8,1965: Dandridge was found dead in her West Hollywood home from an overdose of Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant. She was 42 when she died. Modern analysts believe that she may have suffered from bipolar disorder. As she was depressed and apparently destitute, many speculate that her death was an accidental suicide, that Dandridge's death was the result of accidentally taking pain medication (for a severely injured ankle) in conjunction with her other routine medications. Probably the most important source on her personal life, a friend named Gerry Branton, said decades later that the ankle injury, sustained while Dandridge worked out at a Los Angeles gym to prepare for a singing engagement, was not serious. Earl Mills stated that: Dorothy was in fine condition and he was scheduled to pick her up for a doctor's appointement for the cast to be taken off her ankle. Sherriff's prononcued Dorothy dead on arrival the Sherriff and Coroner's commented was:"Dorothy Dandridge! she was somekind of a colored singer". A drug overdose occurs when a chemical substance (i. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Chemical structure of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline. ... For other uses, see Bipolar. ... Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder, or unipolar depression when compared to bipolar disorder) is a state of intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individuals social functioning and/or activities of daily living. ... Rather than surrender to US soldiers, the Mayor (Bürgermeister) of Leipzig, Germany, committed suicide along with his wife and daughter on April 20, 1945. ...

As stated earlier, there was little profit motive in 1965 for anyone to investigate the tragic death. As with any untimely death that is handled by a coroner or medical examiner in a large city, evidence and memories fade. The coroners annoncued the death accidental overdose.

To Whom Discovers Me: The Note from Dorothy Dandridge

While investagating the apartment for clues that linked to the Dorothy Dandridge Case, Came upon a note that was written a few months earlier it was described as a note in case of death, There was the hand writing from Dorothy Dandridge, In the note stated:

In Case Of My Death, To Whom ever discovers me please do not remove anything I have on: Clothes, Scarf or Gown, Creamated me right away. If i have anything money,jewerly or furnature. Give It To My Mother Ruby Dandridge she knows what to do with it.

World Mourns Carmen Jones: Dorothy Dandridge

That same day of Setempber 8,1965, Hollywood was shocked to hear that Dorothy Dandridge was dead, News of her death shocked fans all over the world, It was heard on Newspapers or Radio and Telelvison. Geri Branton scheduled a Private Funeral For Dorothy Dandridge on September 12,1965 because of the coroner's request to examine the body for testing. On September 12th, 1965, Family and Friends gathered at the Angeles Funeral Home for the viewing of Dorothy, Dorothy was dressed in a cream scarf and gown and Laid out in a wal-nut coffin. After the viewing fellow mourners went to the Little House of Flowers for the Final Funeral those who were in attendance were: Judy Canova, Ruby Dandridge, Geri Branton, Fayard & Harold Nicholas, Joel Fuellen, Dorothy Nicholas Marrow, Maria Cole, Earl Mills, Etta Jones, Peter Lawford, Slappy White, Leo Branton and Peter Lawford, Dorothy was later cremated and buried.Those who were not in attendance were: Sammy Davis Jr, Pearl Bailey, Curt Jurgans, James Mason, Sidney Poiter, Ivan Dixon, Vivian Dandridge, Otto Preminger, Jack Denison and Cyril Dandridge. The pallabears were: Byron Morrow, Joel Fluellen, Harold Jovien, J. Kennedy Lightfoot, Leo Branton, Ben Irwin, Terry Hunt, Sleazy Peter Lawford and Slappy White.

Legacy

• She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6719 Hollywood Boulevard.
• She was placed in the Black Film Hall of Fame in 1977

• Fellow Clevelander Halle Berry played Dandridge in the made-for-TV movie, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999), for which she won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe. Berry was noted for her striking resemblance to Dandridge, and for her engaging depiction of the actress’ struggle to succeed in the racially biased industry of 1950s Hollywood. Coincidentally, Berry later became the first African American to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. In her speech, Berry paid tribute to Dandridge.

• Her great-grand niece, who goes by the name of "Fantasy", bears an eerily striking resemblance to her. A retired actress, she now resides in Auburn Hills, Michigan. ^{[citation needed]}

• Dandridge was one of the actresses considered for the film based on Cleopatra by director Rouben Mamoulian, which eventually went to Elizabeth Taylor.

• In the cartoon strip "The Boondocks", Grandpa often has daydreams about going fishing with Miss Dandridge as an escape from the boys.

• Dandridge was of African-American, Native American, and Spanish ancestry.

• Dandridge was the most influential african american woman of black history.

A band plays on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ... Hollywood Boulevard as taken from the Kodak Theatre Hollywood Boulevard is an avenue in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest to Vermont Avenue, where it straightens out and runs due west to Laurel Canyon Boulevard. ... Halle Maria Berry (born August 14, 1966[1]) is an American actress. ... Introducing Dorothy Dandridge is a television movie directed by Martha Coolidge. ... An Emmy Award. ... The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actresses working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Rouben Mamoulian (October 8, 1897 – December 4, 1987) was an American film and theatre director. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... For the originating definition of Boondocks, see Boondock. ...

Filmography

Features:

Sources

Dorothy, Dandridge & Conrad, Earl. Everything and Nothing: The Dorothy Dandridge Tragedy, HarperCollins, 2000 - ISBN 0060956755
Mills, Earl. Dorothy Dandridge: An Intimate Portrait of Hollywood's First Major Black Film Star, Holloway House Publishing, 1999 - ISBN 087067899X

Footnotes

External links

• Biographical sketch
• Findadeath
• Dorothy Dandridge at the Internet Movie Database
• Dorothy Dandridge's Gravesite