Photo: Archive Photos/Getty
Musicians, political figures and other celebrities are paying tribute toHarry Belafonteafter the singer and civil rights activistdied at age 96 on Tuesday.
The New York native notably brought Calypso music to the masses through hit songs including “The Banana Boat Song,” “Jump in the Line” and “Jamaica Farewell,” among others.
Throughout his career, Belafonte earned threeGrammy Awards, a Tony Award and an Emmy Award. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1989, was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994 and became the oldest living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Shortly following the news of his death, fellow entertainers and peers paid tribute to Belafonte on social media.
“Here he is mourning with my mother at the funeral service for my father at Morehouse College. I won’t forget…Rest well, sir,” concluded her tweet.
Speaking onstage at the TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City shortly after news broke of Belafonte’s death on Tuesday, John Legend paid tribute to the icon. “We just have to thank god that we had Harry Belafonte for 96 years,” he began.
“He inspired me so much personally. He became a friend of mine in the last 10 years or so, we spent some private time together. I learned at his feet basically, about all the great work he’s done over the years,” continued the “All of Me” performer. “If you think about what it means to be an artist and an activist, he was literally the epitome of what that was, and I don’t know if people know how much he did.”
Christopher Polk/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal
Legend added that Belafonte was “so gifted as an artist, as a performer but used his platform in almost a subversive way because he would sneak messages in there, revolutionary messages.”
“When people thought he was just singing about good times in the islands, he was always like infusing messages of protest and revolution in everything he did, and not only that, but he used his resources,” Legend said. “He’s one of the most successful artists of his time — he used those resources to fund the civil rights movement.”
Oprah Winfreytook toInstagramand shared photos of herself interviewing Belafonte alongside a heartfelt caption. “Another ‘GREAT TREE’ has fallen,” she wrote.
“Harry Belafonte, a Trailblazer and Hero to us all,” continued Winfrey. “Thank you for your music, your artistry, your activism, your fight for civil rights and justice—especially risking your life back in the day to get money to the movement. Your being here on Earth has Blessed us all.”
Reverend Al Sharpton shared several photos ofhimself and Belafonteto the social media platform and reminisced on their time together. “I’m heartbroken at hearing of the death of Harry Belafonte, a true mentor & friend. I cherished the time he would give me & others to guide us & correct us,” he wrote. “He was a history changing activist, a culture changing entertainer, & an unmatched intellectual. RIP & Power, Mr. B.”
Tiffany Haddishshared a photo of herself with Belafonte and rapper Common to Instagram alongside a heartfelt message. “Rest in peace King Harry Belafonte. I am so honored and Grateful that I got to sit at your feet and learn from you,” she wrote.
The Godmother of Soul joined the tributes, too, withPatti LaBellewriting on Instagram, “Rest in love and power Mr. Belafonte! You will always be remembered 🙏🏾🖤🙏🏾.”
Jamie Lee Curtis shared a1953 cover ofEbonymagazinefeaturing her parents, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, alongside Belafonte to Instagram and penned a caption admiring his work. “Artists uniting to use their art form to make transformational change in the world through music and movies and books, and poetry and paintings and photography and and and is one of the great benefits to living a public life,” she wrote. “Harry Belafonte exemplified this and utilized every aspect of his immeasurable talent, applying it specifically to the plight of other human beings and their civil rights.”
The actress continued, “I am happy that my parents both participated in a little of that work, and that they combined their talents for the inauguration of President Kennedy in 1961 and that they broke at least one barrier/restriction when they appeared together for the first time on a magazine cover. Rest in great POWER Mr. Bellafonte.”
John Travolta, who starred alongside Belafonte in the 1995 filmWhite Man’s Burden, shared a photo from the movie set with the singer on his Instagram Story.
“I had the great pleasure of working with Harry Belafonte in 1995,” Travolta wrote. “He was the definition of grace, poise, and generosity of spirit. We will miss you Harry.”
John Travolta/Instagram
Sheryl Lee Ralph, who starred in the film alongside Travolta and Belafonte, also paid tribute to the singer and activist Tuesday morning, on both Twitter and Instagram.
“Mr. Belafonte and I were working on a film together called ‘White Mans Burden’,” Ralph tweeted. “I was pregnant with my daughter and he claimed her as his Godchild❤️.”
In anothertweet, theEmmy winnershared more praise for Belafonte, writing, “Mr. Belafonte was always very supportive of my voice as an entertainer and activist saying ‘When used properly, you will help many.'”
On Instagram, Ralph, 66, shared alengthier tribute to Belafonte. “We lost a true Jamaican American hero today,” she wrote in the caption. “Harry Belafonte was so many things and a supportive mentor and role model to me. I thank him for the love and support he gave to me and my children over the years. My love and prayers to the Belafonte family. He will be deeply missed.”
Grey’s Anatomy’sDebbie Allenshared her own tribute, posting two photos from a 1983 performance in New York City, where she, Belafonte and legendary tap dancerGregory Hinesare all-smiles together. “Harry, I will always treasure the wonderful conversations we had,” she wrote in the caption. “Thank you for inspiring the world to fight for Freedom and Humanity 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼❤️.”
Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner shared a quote from the performer on Twitter. “‘I was an activist who became an artist, I was not an artist who became an activist.’ - Harry Belafonte,” she wrote. “Rest In Peace.”
Wendell Piercecalled Belafonte “a man of conviction” as he praised the activist’s life’s work. “Harry Belafonte epitomized what the role of an artist should be,” Pierce wrote on Twitter. “The voice that brings together the community to engage each other in the exercise of self determination, the declaration of that society’s values, and in doing that inspire the society to action.”
Former NFL playerColin Kaepernickshared his love for the fellow activist, too. “Thank you, Mr. B, for all of your years of mentorship, guidance, & lifetime of activism fighting for a better future for all of us,” he wrote on Twitter.
In a lengthy post on Twitter, NBA legendMagic Johnsonreferred to the singer as “a titan in the entertainment industry,” referencing the fact that Belafonte was at one point “the highest paid Black performer in history,” but always kept his focus on activism.
The former Lakers point guard shared some impressive facts about Belafonte, too, including that he “paid bail for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” and was a supporter of both the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the civil rights movement. “Thank you Harry Belafonte!” Johnson wrote.
Mia Farrow took to Twitter and sharedphotos of Belafonte, writing, “We have lost the great Harry Belafonte-beautiful singer, brilliant and brave civil rights activist, a deeply moral and caring man. Miss you already Harry.”
Philosopher and activistCornel Westshared a photo of himself with Belafonte to Twitter and wrote, “I am deeply sad at the loss of my very dear brother - the great Harry Belafonte! His artistic genius, moral courage & loving soul shall live forever! God bless his precious family!”
Apple CEO Tim Cook posted a photo of Belafonte addressing a crowd for a speech toTwitteralongside the caption, “The world has lost a true giant today. Harry Belafonte was a barrier breaker who helped reshape our world through his civil rights advocacy, his music, and his acting. May he rest in peace.”
Vermont SenatorBernie Sanderstweeted an image of himself and Belafonte, writing, “Harry Belafonte was not only a great entertainer, but he was a courageous leader in the fight against racism and worker oppression. Jane and I were privileged to consider him a friend and will miss him very much.”
California CongresswomanMaxine Watersshared a heartfelt message to Twitter, writing, “Another superstar has just passed. My dear friend, Harry Belafonte, was an extraordinarily talented singer and performer. More than that, he was a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and worked with President Nelson Mandela to end Apartheid in South Africa. We will all miss his wisdom, his advice, and his huge giving spirit.”
Former U.S. Attorney GeneralEric Holdershared a statement to his Twitter account, calling Belafonte “a proud, uncompromising Black man [who] helped to change the world.”
“He could have been content to being merely a ‘star.’ He was certainly that. But he used the power his artistic gifts gave him to make better the lives of those too often forgotten or too often oppressed,” he continued. “His was a consequential life.”
Holder added, “I treasure the fact that I got to know him. I am indebted to him for the opportunities he made possible for me. I loved him for being an example of what pride in self entailed.”
“The world has lost a great man. My thoughts are with the Belafonte family. Thank you for sharing this icon with us,” wrote Holder. “I will remember him always.”
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Belafonte’s longtime friend Danny Glover said: “In the spirit of Du Bois, Robeson and many others, Harry Belafonte stood tall among them. Mr. B sang our songs, he carried our hopes and dreams. With his passing, this is not only a deep and personal loss for me, but for the people of the world who have also lost a beloved artist and humanitarian.”
PresidentBarack Obamaalso took to Twitter on Tuesday, sharing a photo with Belafonte from the White House with the message: “Harry Belafonte was a barrier-breaking legend who used his platform to lift others up. He lived a good life – transforming the arts while also standing up for civil rights. And he did it all with his signature smile and style. Michelle and I send our love to his wife, kids, and fans.”
Award-winning journalist Katie Couric — who interviewed Belafonte on 9/11, just before the attack on the World Trade Center — told PEOPLE, “Harry Belafonte exuded elegance, humanity, and an unwavering commitment to social Justice. I have no doubt he will serve as an exemplar for generations to come.”
source: people.com
