# Dorothy Dandridge

> American actress and singer (1922–1965)

**Wikidata**: [Q229251](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229251)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Dandridge)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dorothy-dandridge

## Summary
Dorothy Dandridge was an American actress, singer, and dancer who performed across film, television, stage, and radio from 1933 until her death in 1965. She is historically significant as a pioneering African American performer who achieved mainstream recognition in Hollywood and was the first Black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Her legacy includes a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a career that spanned traditional pop, jazz, and dramatic acting.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 9, 1922
- **Nationality**: United States (American)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Being an American actress and singer; breaking barriers as a Black performer in Hollywood; receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- **Employer(s)**: Verve Records (associated record label)
- **Field(s)**: Acting, singing, dancing, traditional pop, jazz

## Contributions
Dorothy Dandridge's primary contributions were her performances as a multi-talented entertainer who bridged the gap between stage, screen, and recording studios during the mid-20th century.
- **Film and Television Acting**: She appeared in films and television productions, performing as an actor in dramatic and comic roles. Her work period began in 1933 and continued until 1965.
- **Stage and Dance**: She performed as a stage actor before in-person audiences and utilized her body to express herself through rhythmic movement and dance.
- **Musical Recordings**: As a singer, she produced musical sounds for listening audiences, working within the genres of traditional pop and jazz. She was associated with Verve Records, a label founded in 1956 known for jazz and other genres.
- **Recognition**: Her contributions to the entertainment industry were formally recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.

## FAQs
**What were Dorothy Dandridge's primary professions?**
Dorothy Dandridge was a multi-talented performer who worked as an actress in film, television, and theater, as well as a singer and dancer. She was active in the entertainment industry from 1933 until 1965, performing in dramatic and comic productions.

**Which musical genres did she perform in?**
Her musical career encompassed traditional pop, a style of Western popular music predating the mid-1950s rock and roll era, and jazz, a musical style and genre that originated in the early 20th century.

**Did she release music with a specific record label?**
Yes, she was associated with Verve Records, an American record label founded in 1956 by Norman Granz that is renowned for its contributions to jazz and other genres.

**What awards or honors did she receive?**
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an award located in Hollywood, California, which recognizes significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

**When was her career active?**
Her professional work period spanned from 1933 to 1965, covering a significant era of American entertainment history.

## Why They Matter
Dorothy Dandridge matters as a foundational figure in American entertainment who expanded the possibilities for Black performers in a segregated industry. By succeeding as a singer, dancer, and actress across multiple mediums, she helped pave the way for future generations of African American artists in Hollywood and on the global stage. Her association with major institutions like Verve Records and her recognition on the Hollywood Walk of Fame cement her status as a cultural icon whose work influenced the trajectory of film and music in the 20th century. Without her pioneering presence, the representation of Black women in leading roles and the integration of jazz and pop into mainstream cinema would have been significantly delayed.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Status**: An American actress and singer who performed from 1933 to 1965.
- **Multi-Disciplinary Talent**: Recognized as an actor, singer, dancer, and stage performer.
- **Genre Versatility**: Performed in traditional pop and jazz genres.
- **Record Label Association**: Linked with Verve Records, a prominent jazz label founded in 1956.
- **Hollywood Recognition**: Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- **Historical Timeline**: Born in 1922 and passed away in 1965.
- **National Identity**: A citizen of the United States.
- **Aliases**: Known by names including Dottie Mae, Miss D, The black bomshell, Dottie, and Bessie Mae.
- **Full Name**: Dorothy Jean Dandridge.

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born on November 9, 1922, in the United States. She was a human being and a member of the species *Homo sapiens*. Throughout her life, she was known by several aliases, including Dottie Mae, Miss D, The black bomshell, Dottie, and Bessie Mae. Her citizenship was that of the United States, a federal presidential constitutional republic located primarily in North America. She passed away on September 8, 1965.

### Professional Career and Fields of Work
Dandridge's career was defined by her versatility across multiple performance fields. She worked as an actor, a role defined as a person who acts in dramatic or comic productions in film, television, theatre, or radio. Her specific acting roles included work as a television actor, a stage actor performing live before in-person audiences, and a film actor appearing in motion pictures. In addition to acting, she was a dancer, using her body to express herself through movement and dance. She was also a singer, producing musical sounds with her voice for a listening audience. Her work period officially began in 1933 and concluded with her death in 1965.

### Musical Contributions and Recordings
In the realm of music, Dandridge performed in the genres of traditional pop and jazz. Traditional pop is a genre of Western popular music that generally predates the advent of rock and roll in the mid-1950s. Jazz is a musical style and genre that originated in the early 20th century. She was associated with Verve Records, an American record label founded in 1956 by Norman Granz. Verve Records is known for its contributions to jazz and operates under Universal Music Group, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. The label is celebrated for releasing iconic albums by legendary artists and has a significant presence in the music industry.

### Recognition and Legacy
Dorothy Dandridge's impact on the entertainment industry was formally recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This award is located in Hollywood, California, United States, and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the entertainment field. Her legacy is preserved through various identifiers and catalog entries, including her Wikidata ID (Q1196752, Q8341 for genre; Q10798782, Q177220, Q2259451, Q10800557, Q5716684, Q33999 for occupation) and her Wikipedia title "Dorothy Dandridge." She is listed in numerous databases with specific identifiers such as IMDb (nm0199268), VIAF, and Library of Congress Authority IDs, ensuring her historical record remains accessible.

### Personal Identifiers and Data
Extensive data exists regarding Dorothy Dandridge across global knowledge bases. Her full name is recorded as Dorothy Jean Dandridge. She holds multiple unique identifiers, including ISNI (0000 0001 16349491), GND (12095270X), and LCCN (n85201935). Her work is cataloged under the category "Dorothy Dandridge" on Wikimedia Commons. She is associated with the field of work including acting, singing, and dance. Her life and career are documented in various academic and biographical sources, with entries in the African American History database and other historical archives. The data confirms her status as a significant figure in American cultural history, with a sitelink count of 46 on Wikipedia, indicating a robust presence in digital knowledge repositories.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/dandridge-dorothy-1922-1964/)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
4. BnF authorities
5. datos.bne.es
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. Find a Grave
8. [Source](https://books.google.it/books?id=IjAJ7Wl1voUC&pg=PA70&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false)
9. Notable Black American Women
10. BlackPast.org
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. MusicBrainz
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. CiNii Research
15. IMDb
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. The Movie Database
18. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
19. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data