Original Black Stars

A Look at the Original Icons of Black America (1920s-1960s)

In the history of American entertainment, the journey of African American stars before the 1970s is a saga marked by talent and a struggle against the discrimination of the era. Despite the overwhelming challenges posed by racial segregation and limited opportunities, a number of pioneering African American performers rose to fame, reshaping the landscape of music, film, theater, and television.

From the soul-stirring rhythms of Billie Holiday and the charismatic screen presence of Sidney Poitier to groundbreaking athletes of Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, and several others, these trailblazers paved the way for future generations. Their lives and legacies of these individuals, we come to appreciate not only their individual achievements and the unique challenges they faced but also the collective impact they had in challenging the status quo.

Top 21 Original Black Stars

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father was a minister. Her professional music career took off in the 1960s with hits like “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Franklin’s music throughout the years earned her 18 Grammy Awards, 1oo songs to reach the charts, and the honor of being the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby rose to television fame in the 1960s. His debut on the stand-up comedy scene led to a role in the espionage series I Spy (1965-1968), making him one of the first African American actors to star on prime-time television, earning him three consecutive Emmy Awards. Cosby is best known for creating and starring in The Cosby Show (1984-1992), which was a monumental success. The show dominated as the number one TV series in America for five straight years. While The Cosby Show was his greatest accomplishment, the 1960s was his true introduction in the world of comedy.

Bill Russell

Bill Russell

Beginning as professional basketball player, and later becoming a coach, Bill Russell played center for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969, during which time he won a record 11 NBA Championships. Russell was also a five-time Most Valuable Player and a 12-time All-Star. In 1966, Russell became the first African American head coach in any major American sports league as the player-coach for the Celtics. He has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is an inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. Holiday debuted in nightclubs in Harlem before rising to fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Her most famous recordings include “Strange Fruit,” a haunting protest song against lynching, and classics like “God Bless the Child” and “Lover Man.” Despite facing racial discrimination, she left a lasting legacy in the music world. Her life and career have been honored in numerous biographies and films, including the biopic Lady Sings the Blues (1972), in which Diana Ross portrayed Holiday.

Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry was a foundational rock and roll singer debuting in the mid-1950s. He Berry was a master at crafting songs that captured the essence of teenage life, with classics like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Maybellene.” His guitar riffs and showmanship on stage greatly influenced the future sound of rock music, leading to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge was a trailblazing actress and singer. She began performing as a child, but it was her role in the 1954 film Carmen Jones that cemented her status as a leading lady and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, making her the first African-American woman nominated for a leading role. Dandridge’s performances in films such as Porgy and Bess (1959) and Tamango (1958) were part of a limited but impactful filmography that challenged Hollywood’s racial boundaries. Despite the barriers she faced, Dandridge’s talent laid the groundwork for future Black actresses in the entertainment industry.

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

A pianist, composer, and band leader, Ellington’s career spanned over fifty years. He made his debut in the late 1910s and became one of the most influential artists in the genre. His orchestra became a staple at the Cotton Club in Harlem, contributing to the Harlem Renaissance. Some of his notable works include “Mood Indigo,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” His innovative use of the orchestra and his sophisticated style earned him 14 Grammy Awards.

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald was an influential jazz vocalist with a her pure tone and one of the best singing voices of her time. Fitzgerald began her rise to stardom in 1934 after winning an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater, which led to her joining the Chick Webb Orchestra. Some of her most celebrated recordings are found in the “Songbook” series, where she interpreted the works of several composers. She has a host of accolades across her career, including 13 Grammy Awards, while her music made her one of the most beloved singers in the history of jazz.

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte is a celebrated singer, actor, and civil rights activist. He debuted on Broadway in 1953 and gained fame as a musician with the release of Calypso (1956), which included the hit “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).” Belafonte was the first artist to sell over one million copies of an album. His film career includes notable work in Carmen Jones (1954) and Odds Against Tomorrow (1959). Belafonte’s top accomplishments range from Emmy and Grammy awards to the National Medal of Arts.

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. As the first African American to play in MLB in the modern era, Robinson had an exemplary career that not only changed the game but also influenced the civil rights movement. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1947, Most Valuable Player in 1949, and was a six-time All-Star.

James Brown

James Brown

James Brown, known as the “Godfather of Soul,” began his career with the Gospel Starlighters, which eventually evolved into the Famous Flames, debuting with the group in 1956. Brown was pivotal in the development of several music genres, including funk and soul, and is renowned for hit songs like “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud,” and “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”

Jim Brown

Jim Brown is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. Before his professional career, Brown excelled in multiple sports at Syracuse University. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1957 and quickly dominated the NFL as a running back. His accolades include three MVP titles, nine Pro Bowl selections, and an NFL Championship in 1964. He retired at the peak of his career in 1965 and pivoted to acting, with notable roles in films like The Dirty Dozen.

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was one of the foremost figures of the Harlem Renaissance. One of the greatest poets, novelists, and playwriters, Hughes’s literary career began with his poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” published in 1921. He is well-known for his jazz-inspired verse and his insightful portrayals of black life in America during the early 1900s. His notable works include the poem “Montage of a Dream Deferred” and the play “Mulatto.” His work remains a testament to black experience of his time through his literature works.

Lena Horne

Lena Horne

Lena Horne was a singer, actress, and civil rights activist that began her entertainment career in the chorus line at the Cotton Club and debuted on Broadway in the late 1930s. Horne became known for her velvety voice, signature songs such as “Stormy Weather,” and groundbreaking roles in films. She became one of the first African-American women to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio. Her accolades include a Tony Award for her one-woman Broadway show Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music (1981) and several Grammy Awards.

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Hailing from New Orleans and known affectionately as “Satchmo” or “Pops,” Armstrong was a trumpeter, composer, and singer who influenced the development of jazz into a unique art form. His career took off in the 1920s, and he was famous for his charismatic performances and his improvisational skill. Classic recordings like “What a Wonderful World,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “When the Saints Go Marching In” are part of his enduring legacy.

Little Richard

Little Richard

Apioneer of rock ‘n’ roll with his flamboyant showmanship and dynamic music, Little Richard debuted in the early 1950s and quickly became famous for hits like “Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly.” Little Richard’s electrifying performances, characterized by his pounding piano and high-octane vocals, influenced countless musicians and helped shape the sound of rock and roll.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a boxing icon and civil rights champion known for his achievements both inside and outside of the ring. He debuted as a professional boxer in 1960, after winning a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Ali became the first fighter to win the heavyweight championship of the world three times. He participated in several historic boxing matches, most notably the “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman and the “Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Frazier. Aside from his boxing prowess, Ali was renowned for being a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.

Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole was an influential jazz pianist and vocalist. He first rose to prominence as part of the King Cole Trio, debuting in the late 1930s before initiating a solo career marked by numerous hit songs including “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa.” Cole became the first African-American to host his own television series, The Nat King Cole Show in 1956. His performances led to many accolades and many barrier-breaking achievements in entertainment.

Ray Charles

Ray Charles

Ray Charles was a pioneering singer, pianist, and songwriter who broke into the music scene with his gospel, R&B, and blues tunes, debuting in 1948 with the Maxin Trio. His most famous hits include “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hit the Road Jack,” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Charles’s innovative contributions to the genre of soul music earned him several Grammy Awards and a place in both the Rock and Roll and the Rhythm and Blues Halls of Fame.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Sammy Davis Jr. was a multi-talented entertainer known for his singing, dancing, acting, and impersonations. He began performing as a child and debuted on Broadway in 1956. Davis’s most notable work includes his role in Porgy and Bess (1959), membership in the legendary Rat Pack, and hit songs like “The Candy Man.” A versatile performer, he also appeared on television and in films such as Ocean’s 11 (1960) and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964). His top accomplishments include Emmy and Grammy nominations, as well as a Kennedy Center Honor in 1987.

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier was a groundbreaking actor, director, and ambassador. He debuted on Broadway in 1946 and went on to achieve Hollywood stardom, breaking numerous racial barriers in the film industry. His most notable work includes his performances in classics such as A Raisin in the Sun (1961), Lilies of the Field (1963), for which he became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, In the Heat of the Night (1967), and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967).

Original Black Stars Related Topics

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