Why was Dorothy Dandridge so important?

Answer 1

Dorothy Jean Dandridge [November 9, 1922-September 8, 1965] benefited from solid dramatic and expressive training by her mother, Ruby Jean Butler Dandridge [March 1, 1899-October 17, 1987]. The younger Dandridge was a child performer of touring acts, theaters and clubs, and film well before she turned 18. An accomplished dancer and singer, she was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, in the 1954 film Carmen Jones. The Oscar went to Grace Patricia Kelly [November 12, 1929-Septemer 14, 1982], for her role as Gracie Elgin in The Country Girl. Some five years later, Dandridge received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the 1959 film Porgy and Bess. Dandridge's talents in acting, dancing, and singing haven't been forgotten. Within 15-20 years of her death, many prominent African American actresses began acknowledging her key role in their subsequent successes. For example, Halle Berry [b. August 14, 1966] received Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for lead role in the 1999 HBO movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. She dedicated her subsequent Academy Award, for the 2000 film Monster's Ball, to Dandridge and to Diahann Carroll [b. July 17, 1935] and Lena Horne [b. June 30, 1917]. For Berry became the first African American to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Two other African Americans had been nominated, but for supporting roles. Hattie McDaniel [June 10, 1895-October 26, 1952] was the first African American to win the Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actress as Mammy in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. Ethel Waters [October 31, 1896-September 1, 1977] was an Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress as Granny in the 1949 film Pinky.

Answer 2

She was the first African American actress to be cast in leading roles.

Answer 3

Dorothy Dandridge is so famous for being a popular singer. In addition to being a popular singer, she is very beautiful and is a famous American actress.