daily insights | January 01, 2026

5 best movies of Harry Delafonte

Harry Belafonte was a multi-capable legend known for music, activism, and acting.
He featured in notorious movies like Carmen Jones and Island in the Sun.
Belafonte’s acting heritage incorporates handling extreme issues and separating racial boundaries in Hollywood.

Harry Belafonte, the unbelievable artist, entertainer, and social equality extremist, has died at 96 years old. While Belafonte is commonly known for his notorious music and enthusiastic activism, he likewise had a fruitful vocation as an entertainer.

The following are five of his best films that grandstand his ability and flexibility:

Carmen Jones (1954)
Belafonte’s breakout job was in the 1954 melodic show Carmen Jones, which additionally featured Dorothy Dandridge. The movie, coordinated by Otto Preminger, was a variation of Bizet’s show Carmen and highlighted an all-Dark cast. Belafonte played Joe, a soldier who experiences passionate feelings for the protagonist.

Harry Belafonte, gest. 25.4.2023

HB und Dorothy Dandridge in Otto Premingers “Carmen Jones” 1954

— michael rohrwasser (@michaelerich5) April 26, 2023

Island in the Sun (1957)
Belafonte featured close by Joan Fontaine, Dorothy Dandridge, and James Bricklayer in this 1957 show about racial strains on a made up Caribbean island. Belafonte played David Boyeur, a neighborhood government official who becomes entangled in a shocking relationship with a white lady.

Chances Against Tomorrow (1959)
In this coarse film noir, Belafonte played Johnny Ingram, a striving performer who engages in a perilous heist close by a bigoted ex-cop and a frantic card shark. The film, which additionally featured Robert Ryan and Ed Begley, handled issues of race and bias head-on.

Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
Belafonte featured close by Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby in this 1974 satire around two companions who become involved with a wild evening of betting and hijinks. Belafonte played the sweet talking criminal Geechie Dan Beauford, a job that permitted him to exhibit his comedic chops.

White Man’s Weight (1995)
Belafonte’s last film job was in this 1995 show about a reality where Individuals of color are the decision class and white individuals are the persecuted minority. Belafonte played Thaddeus Thomas, a well off Dark finance manager who shapes a far-fetched union with a striving white assembly line laborer played by John Travolta.

The #GameOfThrones creators’ next show sounds stupid as hell:

— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) July 20, 2017

Harry Belafonte was a multi-skilled person who utilized his foundation to point out significant issues. His inheritance as an entertainer will be associated with the nuanced exhibitions he gave, frequently handling troublesome topic with effortlessness and balance. He was a pioneer in Hollywood, separating racial hindrances and preparing for people in the future of Dark entertainers and movie producers.