The Dandridge sisters: Dorothy Dandridge

3. The Dandridge sisters: Dorothy Dandridge By: London Santel Edwards

4. Beginning a life for Dorothy • Birth: November 9, 1922 • Parents: Ruby and Cyrus Dandridge. • Siblings: Vivian Dandridge • Children: Harolyn Nicholas was her daughter • Spouse (s): Harold Nicholas, Jack Denison • Death: September 8, 1965

5. About her • Age: 42 • Height: 5’ 5” (165 cm) • Hair Color: Brown • Eye Color: Brown • Nationality: American • Ethnicity: Black ( African American) • Famous for: Actress • Star sign: Scorpio • Nicknames: Dottie, Dottie Mae, Miss D, Bessie Mae • Trade marks: Her beautiful eyes, beauty mark on chin, and her hot cool singing style. 

6. Family Background • Dorothy Dandridge was born in Cleveland on November 9, 1922 to Ruby and Cyrus Dandridge. She had one older sister, Vivian Dandridge. Dorothy was raised by her mother and her mother's friend, a woman by the name of Geneva Williams.

7. Beginning career • Vivian and Dorothy performed as children. They had an act called The Wonder Children. Their act included singing, dancing, acrobatics, and skits. In the summer of 1938 they were booked at the Cotton Club. They performed along with Etta Jones and were known as the Dandridge Sisters. 

8. Beginning of her Career • She worked with Phil Moore and refined her night club act. Dorothy's provocative singing act gained her popularity. She was booked in clubs throughout California and Las Vegas. She was often confronted by racism but continued to perform despite this discouragement. Her work in night clubs brought her the popularity she needed to begin getting roles in films. In 1951 Dorothy played in Tarzan's Peril and then in The Harlem Globetrotters. 

9. Family life • Dorothy met Harold Nicholas, the youngest brother in the famous Nicholas Brothers act, while performing at the Cotton Club. They were married in 1942. Dorothy was 19 years old at the time. Harold did not turn out to be an ideal husband. He carried on affairs with other women and did not spend a lot of time at home. Dorothy gave birth to a daughter, Harolyn, in 1943. Dorothy soon discovered that her daughter had brain damage and eventually Dorothy had to put her in someone else's care.  She then divorced Harold and pursued her career.

10. Everything is getting good!!!@ • She returned to the night club scene and appeared at prestigious clubs such as The Mocambo, Cafe de Paris, and La Vie en Rose. She was also the first black woman to perform at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Dorothy then starred with Harry Belafonte in Bright Road in 1952. In 1954, Dorothy played the much coveted role of Carmen Jones. This movie brought her fame and recognition. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role in the film. She was the first black woman in history to receive the honor of being nominated in the category of Best Actress. 

11. Everything takes a turn for the worse!!!!! • Dorothy played in other movies after this accomplishment, including Porgy and Bess and Island in the Sun. However, she found that despite her fame, it was hard finding work as a black actress. The forces of racism were too strong. In 1963 Dorothy Dandridge filed for bankruptcy after a failed marriage to Jack Denison and a series of bad investments. It seemed that her career had gone downhill. She began to drink heavily and was found dead in her apartment on September 8,1965. She died of an overdose of Tofranil, an antidepressant that had been prescribed for her.

12. People in her life • Harold Nicholas: Husband of Dorothy Dandridge. Father of Harolyn Nicholas.

13. People in her life continued • Dorothy Dandridge and Harolyn Nicholas. • Harolyn was the daughter of Dorothy Dandridge and Harold Nicholas. While she was very young Dorothy found out she had brain damage.

14. People in her life continued • Jack Denison had a failed marriage with Dorothy Dandridge.

15. Work Cited • http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/dand-dor.htm • http://shagtree.com/relationships/dorothy-dandridge-dated-jack-denison • http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0199268/bio