Who is this person?

Dorothy Dandridge (November 9,1922- September 8,1965) was an American actress, who appeared in a great number of wonderful films and plays. She also was a fine dancer and singer. Dorothy is best known as the first black actress to be nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Carmen Jones, a 1954 film.

In 1959, Dorothy was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Dorothy was married twice and had a daughter. She died at the age of 42 under some strange and mysterious circumstances.

Dorothy's experience inspired a lot of black women. In 1999 Dorothy became the subject of the biographical film, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Halle Berry was the one to bring Dorothy's life into light. Berry, following Dorothy's footsteps, later became the first black woman to receive an Oscar. Dandridge's name was the first in the list of black actresses mentioned by Halle in her speech.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

109 Comments

Sean Du Bois

Process of elimination is the only reason I got this right. Dorothy Dandridge was unknown to me

Kitty White

Hattie McDaniel was the first black person to win an oscar. She won it for her performance as Mammy in Gone With the Wind.

Ben Totuous

Amazed anybody thought Marilyn Monroe.

Martin Chittenden

Hattie McDaniel was the first black actress nominated and won an Oscar. She won Supporting Actress. Dorothy was the first black actress who was nominated for the Best Actress in a leading role.

Susana Crews

She was a wonderful actress. You should get a DVD of one of her movies

Mary Wells

Hattie McDaniel was the first black actress to receive an Oscar; Best Supporting Actress in 1937 for her portrayal of Mammy in "Gone with the Wind".

Reginald W Idlett

Hattie McDaniels.a Black Woman, won an Oscar for her role in the 1939 film 'Gone With the Wind'

Nancy Forrest

I saw the movie, "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," starring Halle Berry, a couple months ago. Berry was terrific in the role, not only for her striking resemblance to Dorothy but her ability to convey Dorothy's considerable presence on a stage and ease as an entertainer. Many gifted American artists of color, including Dandridge, found it difficult to find work in the U.S. entertainment industry during the era in which she pursued her career, and many artists traveled to Paris where color was less of an impediment to career advancement.... Also, an actor and fellow graduate of my alma mater high school played director Otto Preminger's assistant who were among the first to take an interest in Dandridge's career. Very cool.

Armadillo

Joan Alphonso, a tricky business this is.

Armadillo

Debbie Kalista, I myself am baffled.

Armadillo

Nancy Forrest, some people just want to make it out of Paris, yet others would probably take every risk to get to go there just to ride their scooters. Then they could scratch that off their bucket lists. Envy is never flattering in any event. Sticking to the subject at hand however, Dorothy was a piece of work.

pgw

Debbie Moser, you are definitely right Hattie McDaniel was the first black woman to receive an Oscar.

babrons

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BLACK OR WHITE

Marianne Frederick Halterman

She was an incredible dancer, first and foremost. fantastic!

erik hughes

aboosbaby, she didn't win the Oscar, she was nominated for it.

erik hughes

Dandridge wasn't the first black actress to be nominated for an Oscar, either (that was also Hattie McDaniel, who won). To make this answer explanation correct, you need to put down "nominated for leading actress". These "Quizz" writers need to do more proof-reading and fact-checking. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew who it was. "Carmen Jones" is a fantastic movie.

aboosbaby

Dorothy Dandridge is the first African American woman to win the BEST ACTRESS Oscar. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American woman to WIN an Oscar for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind.

nmcgirt

Wow I'm surprised that so many of you remember that Hattie McDaniel the first black recipient of the Oscar in Gone with the Wind. Getting back to Dorothy Dandridge was married to Harold Nichols one of the Nichol brothers dance duo famous for tap dancing routines. I would also say that Dorothy Dandridge was one of the most beautiful Black woman in Hollywood at this time.

epwjah

Wrong, Hattie McDaniel was the first black woman to be nominated and win an Academy Award! Now had it been phrased differently and accurately as black woman nominated as Best Actress... Ms. McDaniel won as Best Supporting Actress.