Lena Mary Calhoun Horne
June 30, 1917 - May 9, 2010
Lena Horne, an African-American Singer, Dancer, Actress and Activist was born June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, NY. Horne began working as a singer and dancer at the Cotton Club in Harlem at the age of 16 (1933). While there, she met greats such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. Horne went from the Cotton Club to her first film, (musical) "The Duke is Tops" (1938) at just 21 years old. That was just the beginning. Horne went on to play in more films and sang in theaters.
In 1943, her career blossomed while with MGM, gaining her work with 20th Century-Fox for the All-Black musical Panama Hattie for "Stormy Weather". She also appeared in "Cabin in the Sky" the same year. Horne continued to work with all-black productions beside greats like Ethel Waters and Eddie "Rochester Anderson. Other roles were "Boogie-Woogie Dream" (1944), "Words and Music" (1948) and "Mantan Messes Up" (1946).
As an African-American, Horne experienced some turmoil due to racism. In 1956 after "Meet me in Las Vegas", she withdrew from working on films and gleaned towards music, stage performances, and her part in Activism through the March on Washington in 1963. She returned to film in 1969, with a role in "Death of a Gunfighter". Lena wouldn't been seen on the big screen for another nine years later, where she performed in the All-Black musical, "The Wiz" (1978).
Throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's she appeared in television roles as herself. (Harry & Lena-ABC/The Muppet Show/Sesame Street/A Different World/The Cosby Show). Horne announced her retirement from the industry in 1980, then the next year returned on Broadway with, Lena Horne: "The Lady and Her Music". Later she appeared in "A Century of Women" (1994) and "That's Entertainment III" (1994).
Horne received many awards (Grammy/Tony/NAACP/Lifetime Achievement), tributes and was showcased through re-releases of her projects.
1 comment:
She reminded me of my mom: graceful, beauty that ran deeper than the skin they were/are in and charting a course for others to follow. I hope I age as well and with such class as the late Mrs. Horne.
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