Dorothy Jean Dandridge, aslo known as Dottie Mae or “Black Peoples Marilyn Monroe,” was born in Clevland Ohio to Actress Rubby Dandridge November 9th, 1922. She started her career singing at local churches and lounges with her sister Vivian, and they later moved to LA to further the career in entertainment. There Dorothy landed her first acting gig in a movie, “A Day at The Races.” It was a bit part but it drove Dorothy to try harder and she later got roles in films like “Four shall Die” and “Hit Parade of 1943.”
Dorothy graced a few movies but none of them where as big as her role in “Carmen Jones” (1954) where she was nominated for an Academy Award for best Actress. Unfortunately she did not win, and it didnt change her luck in the world of acting, she didnt land her next role untill 1958 in “Tamango.”
Dorothy suffered from manic deppresion, and it got worst for her after the failure of her second marriage, and feeling little success for her acting career. Dorothy’s last movie was “Murder Men” (1961). 1965, Dorothy was found dead in her L.A home due to an accidental overdose of perscription drugs, she was 42 years old.
In her legacy she leaves her daughter Harrolyn Nicholas.
She was the first African American Woman to be nominated for an Academy Award, and also the first to grace the cover of TIME magazine. She was the first choice for the Role of Cleopatra, but it was given to Elizabeth taylor instead.
If it wasnt for dorothy we wouldnt have Angela Bassets, Nia Longs, or Halle Berry’s, who happens to be the only African American Woman who has actually won an Academy award.
#myhistory
