Dorothy Dandridge : Ask Biography

Dorothy Dandridge as "Mahia" in the trailer from the M-G-M thriller The Decks Ran Red (1958)

Personal information

Birth name

Dorothy Jean Dandridge

Birth date

November 9, 1922

Place of birth

Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Date of death

September 8, 1965(age 42)

Death place

West Hollywood, California, U.S.

Cause of death

Drug overdose

Other names

Dorothy Dandridge-Nicholas
Dorothy Nicholas
Dorothy Dandridge-Denison
Dorothy Denison

Occupation

Actress, singer

Years active

1934 � 61

Spouse

-Harold Nicholas-1942-1951
-Jack Denison-1959-1962

Children

Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas

Home | American actors | Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 � September 8, 1965) was an American actress and popular singer, and was the first African-American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.She performed as a vocalist in venues such as the Nathan Featherston and the Apollo Theater.

After several minor bit parts in films, Dandridge, landed her first noted film role in Tarzan's Peril, in 1951; starring Lex Barker. Dandridge won her first starring role in 1953; playing a teacher in the nearly all-black cast low-budgeted film, Bright Road, realesed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

In 1954, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Carmen Jones, and, in 1959, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Porgy and Bess. In 1999, she was the subject of the HBO biopic Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, starring, Halle Berry as Dandridge. She has been recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dandridge was married and divorced twice, first to dancer and entertainer Harold Nicholas (the father of her daughter, Harolyn Suzanne) and then to Jack Denison. Dandridge died of an accidental drug overdose at age 42.