Harry Belafonte
Awards & Honours
10
Awards Won
7
Honours
3
Rankings
2
Covers
4
Records
Harry Belafonte's achievements are historic. He was the first African American to win a Primetime Emmy and the first to produce television through his own company. His album Calypso was the first million-selling LP by a single artist, holding the number one spot for 31 weeks. He achieved EGOT status, one of fewer than 20 people to do so. His civil rights work helped fund the movement and organize the March on Washington. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence, cementing his role in shaping popular music.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Inducted in the Early Influence category.
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Non-competitive Oscar for humanitarian work.
National Medal of Arts
Awarded for contributions to the arts.
Kennedy Center Honors
Lifetime achievement award for performing arts.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Served as ambassador until his death.
Order of Merit (Jamaica)
Honorific title 'The Honourable'.
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime achievement award.
Rankings & Lists
First million-selling LP by a single artist
First African American to win a Primetime Emmy
First African American television producer
Magazine Covers
Ebony
1950s
Multiple covers
Life
1950s-1960s
Multiple appearances
Records & Feats
First million-selling LP by a single artist
Album Calypso (1956) was the first LP to sell over one million copies by a solo artist.
First African American to win a Primetime Emmy
Won for Tonight with Harry Belafonte (1959).
First African American television producer
Through his company HarBel, produced multiple Emmy-nominated programs.
EGOT winner
One of fewer than 20 people to win Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.