The Cougar's Byte

Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Features

Masked behind the voice of a white opera singer, Dorothy Jean Dandridge marked her infamy in Hollywood with her highly praised role of Carmen Jones. For this legendary performance, Dandridge became the first African-American female to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress. Before her 1954 casting into the role that would elevate her career, one worthy of Hollywood Walk of Fame embedding, Dandridge had already taken to stage many times. Films leading up to her portray of the sassy Carmen included work with the Marx Brothers and the Mill Brothers.

For Dandridge, performing came early in life. Young and fatherless, Dorothy and her sister were put to perform vaudeville style in the south as an additional form of income. The duet act continued through a big course of their early life, and even bounced back after a much decline during The Great Depression. Entertainment was literally a way of life for the Dandridge sisters. Throughout their career, opportunities to perform in famed venues were always arising; one of the more notable is the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Dandridge often dealt with the hardships of being type-casted, rarely finding herself in a leading role. She was often asked to depict slaves, servants, and other roles alike; while bitter towards this, Dandridge was eager to earn a respected name of her in the film industry. Competing for stardom during a time of great talent such as Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe, added to the underlying racism that still plagued Hollywood, Dandridge struggled through her endeavor.

Despite her hardships, Dandridge's melodic voice and dynamic stage presence was enough to embed her legacy. HBO, recognizing this legacy, produced biopic film entitled Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Halle Berry played the lead role of the legendary actress and for the performance won an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. As further praise, Berry dedicated her Academy Award win in the movie Monster Ball to the late Dandridge.

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