Dorothy Dandridge (who is Dorothy Dandridge?)

Dorothy Dandridge was a groundbreaking African American actress and singer, heralded for her beauty, talent, and barrier-breaking achievements during a time of pervasive racial segregation in the United States. Born on November 9, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio, she began performing as a child, and by the early 1930s, she, along with her sister Vivian, and their friend Etta Jones, had formed the singing group the ‘Dandridge Sisters’, which allowed her to gain early experience in the entertainment industry.

By the 1940s, Dandridge had begun to pursue acting, although the roles available to black actresses were limited. She often played small parts or "exotic" maidens, as in "Since You Went Away" (1944) and "Sundown" (1941), due to the racial prejudices and stereotyping prevalent in Hollywood at that time.

Her breakout role came with "Carmen Jones" in 1954, where she played the titular character, an updated version of Bizet's opera Carmen but set during World War II with an all-black cast. Her performance earned her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first African American woman to receive a nomination in the category.

Dandridge's career was marked by other notable films such as "Porgy and Bess" (1959) and "Island in the Sun" (1957). Beyond the screen, she was also a celebrated nightclub performer, renowned for her singing ability.

Despite her success, Dandrige faced racial discrimination throughout her career and life. She struggled with financial issues, largely stemming from mismanagement, and personal tragedies, including the birth of a developmentally disabled daughter.

Dandridge's marriage to dancer Harold Nicholas in 1942 ended in divorce in 1951 and was followed by a contentious custody battle over their daughter. She later married hotel owner Jack Denison in 1959, though this too ended in divorce in 1962 amidst financial setback and betrayal.

Tragically, Dandridge's life was cut short when she died from an accidental overdose on September 8, 1965, at the age of 42. Her death has been speculated to have been a suicide by some, though this has never been confirmed.

Her legacy continues to inspire generations, and her life story was brought to a broader audience with the 1999 HBO biopic "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," produced by and starring Halle Berry, who won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Dandridge.

Dorothy Dandridge's contributions to cinema and her role in breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry remain significant. Her career opened doors for future generations of African American actors and actresses, and her story exemplifies both the hardships and the triumphs of black entertainers in mid-20th century America.

For an in-depth look into her life and career, you can refer to biographies such as "Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography" by Donald Bogle or to the documentary "Dorothy Dandridge: Singing at Her Best".