|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Pearl Bailey Bellson
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
| |
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Pearl Bailey Bellson
PEARL BAILEY BELLSON
Awarded by
President Ronald Reagan
October 17, 1988
As a girl, Pearl Bailey began singing in her father's church in Virginia and kept singing all the way to Broadway and into America's heart. Among the preeminent American entertainers of this century, she has dazzled audiences all over the world. She has also served the Nation as a Special Adviser to the United States Mission to the United Nations. And America loves Pearl Bailey, for her songs and for her soul.
Biography
Pearl Mae Bailey (March 29, 1918 – August 17, 1990) was an American singer and actress. She made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She won a Tony Award for the title role in Hello, Dolly! in 1970. Her rendition of "Takes Two to Tango" hit the top ten in 1952.
Born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1954, she took the role of Frankie in the film version of Carmen Jones , and her rendition of "Beat Me That Rhythm on the Drum" is one of the highlights of the film. In 1959, she played the role of Maria in the film version of Porgy and Bess starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. During the 1970s she had her own television show, and she also provided voices for animations such as Tubby the Tuba (1976) and Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981).
She was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom on October 17, 1988.
She was married to jazz drummer Louie Bellson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medal History
