A man who has been described as 'the consummate entertainer', and artist in every field in which he participated, Harry Belafonte is also a globally respected human rights activist who was instrumental in the civil rights movement. He believes work in both areas has provided him with the basis for a productive and balanced life.

Studying drama with classmates like Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis, Harry gained a thorough grounding in the performing arts. Finding it difficult to break into his first love of acting, he found initial fame singing with Miles Davis, Max Roach, Charlie Parker and Tommy Potter. Ending up on Broadway to perform his first musical 'John Murray Anderson's Almanac'. Rapturous reviews ensured that he never looked back from his new found form of artistic expression.

In 1956, Belafonte single handedly made Calypso Music world famous with a string of hit records including the 'Banana Boat Song', although he prefered to call his music, folk music. Since then the words "Day-O" has become a catchphrase, heard at concerts and sport grounds alike.

Returning to his initial passion of acting, Harry found himself cast in his first film 'Bright Road' alongside Dorothy Dandridge as his leading lady. The compelling screen chemistry led to Belafonte being cast in the overwhelmingly successful 'Carmen Jones', the Oscar Hammerstein adaptation of Bizet's opera "Carmen".