News

Lena Horne – Jazz Icon, Civil Rights Activist, Hollywood Star

Lena Horne (𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 June 30, 1917, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.—died May 9, 2010, New York City) was an American singer and actress who first came to fame in the 1940s.

Horne left school at age 16 to help support her ailing mother and became a dancer at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City. In two years at the Cotton Club she appeared with such entertainers as Cab Calloway and eventually starred in her own shows. In 1935 she joined the Noble Sissle orchestra under the name Helena Horne. Horne was married from 1937 to 1944 to Louis J. Jones. In the early 1940s she was hired to sing for Charlie Barnet’s orchestra. She was discovered by producer John Hammond, and soon after she performed in a solo show at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Lena Horne and Eddie (“Rochester”) Anderson in Cabin in the SkyLena Horne and Eddie (“Rochester”) Anderson in Cabin in the Sky (1943), directed by Vincente Minnelli.

In 1942 Horne moved to Los Angeles, after which she appeared in such movies as Cabin in the Sky (1943), Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956), and The Wiz (1978). Her role in the film Stormy Weather (1943) included her rendition of the title song, which became her trademark. A remarkably charismatic entertainer, Horne was one of the most popular singers of her time. One of her albums, Lena Horne at the Waldorf-Astoria (1957), was a longtime best seller, and her first featured performance on Broadway—in the musical Jamaica (1957)—won her a New York Drama Critics’ Poll Award in 1958.

Though primarily known as an entertainer, Horne also was noted for her work with civil rights and political organizations; as an actress, she refused to play roles that stereotyped African American women. She was married to Lennie Hayton from 1947 until his death in 1971. Her one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music (1981), garnered many awards, including a Drama Critics’ Circle Award and a special achievement Tony Award. In 1984 Horne received a Kennedy Center honour for lifetime contribution to the arts, and in 1989 she was given a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement.

Related Posts

Robert De Niro directly criticized Karoline Leavitt, calling her a “KKK b****” live on air. The reason is believed to be that Leavitt exposed the dark truth about Robert De Niro, leaving fans stunned

In a shocking and unexpected turn of events, Robert De Niro, one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, found himself embroiled in a fierce public controversy after calling Karoline…

BREAKING: 🇺🇸 Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn urges the Department of Justice to seize former President Barack Obama’s passports — citing national security concerns and revealing shocking secrets that have left people stunned

In a dramatic turn of events, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has ignited a firestorm by calling on the Department of Justice to seize former President Barack…

BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt Announces She’s Leaving the US—“I Got No Respect”. After facing backlash, Karoline Leavitt made a shocking announcement that sent shockwaves through social media, revealing one individual who forced her to leave the US

Karoline Leavitt, a rising figure in conservative political circles, made a stunning announcement late Tuesday that she is officially leaving the United States. Her unexpected departure has sparked…

Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner Opens In LA With Movie Screens, Robot Servers And Comfort Food

In 2025, Musk had shared his plan for the diner, stating that he was “gonna put an old school drive-in, roller skates and rock restaurant at one of…

Trump releases evidence accusing Mr. Obama of committing treason

Trump accused the former US President Obama leading the conspiracy to “steal the election” in 2016, calling for punishment of “treason”. A few days after posting a video…

BBC News reports: 30 minutes ago! The White House faces backlash after President Trump hints at deporting billionaire Elon Musk amid the ‘America Party’ battle

BBC NEWS: TRUMP’S SHOCKING DEPORTATION THREAT AGAINST ELON MUSK SPARKS OUTRAGE AMID ‘AMERICA PARTY’ FEUD In a stunning escalation of political tensions, President Donald Trump has ignited a…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *