Biography
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.
Movies & TV Shows
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A Day at the Races (1937) — Singer (uncredited)
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Carmen Jones (1954) — Carmen Jones
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The Oscars (1953) — Self
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Since You Went Away (1944) — Black Officer's Wife in Train Station (uncredited)
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Sun Valley Serenade (1941) — Specialty Act
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Ride 'Em Cowboy (1941) — Dancer (uncredited)
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Porgy and Bess (1959) — Bess
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Sundown (1941) — Kipsang's Wife
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Island in the Sun (1957) — Margot Seaton
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The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) — Self
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Lady from Louisiana (1941) — Felice
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The Decks Ran Red (1958) — Mahia
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Pillow to Post (1945) — Herself - Vocalist (uncredited)
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Orchestra Wives (1942) — Singer/Dancer
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The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) — Self
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Tarzan's Peril (1951) — Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba
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Tamango (1958) — Aiché, Reiker's mistress
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Bright Road (1953) — Jane Richards
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Irene (1940) — One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)
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Going Places (1938) — Member of The Dandridge Sisters
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Hit Parade of 1943 (1943) — Count Basie Band Singer
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Cow-Cow Boogie (1942) — Cowgirl
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Teacher's Beau (1935) — Student
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The Harlem Globetrotters (1951) — Ann Carpenter
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Night in New Orleans (1942) — Sal, Shadrach's Girl (uncredited)
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Lucky Jordan (1942) — Hollyhock School Maid
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It Can't Last Forever (1937) — Dandridge Sisters Act (uncredited)
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Remains to Be Seen (1953) — Dorothy Dandridge
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Snow Gets in Your Eyes (1938) — One of the Dandridge Sisters (uncredited)
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Cain's Hundred (1961) — Norma Sherman
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Paper Doll (1942) — Self
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Atlantic City (1944) — Singer
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It's Black Entertainment (2002) — Self (archive footage)
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Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty (2003) — Self (archive footage)
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A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat (1942)
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Bahama Passage (1941) — Thalia
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Happy Go Lucky (1943) — Showgirl (uncredited)
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Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies (2001) — Self (archive footage)
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Drums of the Congo (1942) — Princess Malimi
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Moment of Danger (1960) — Gianna