Lena Horne

Born: 1917-06-30

Lena Horne (June 30, 1917 - May 9, 2010) was a singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist. Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of sixteen and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood, where she had small parts in numerous movies, and more substantial parts in the films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. Due to the Red Scare and her left-leaning political views, Horne found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood. Returning to her roots as a nightclub performer, Horne took part in the March on Washington in August 1963, and continued to work as a performer, both in nightclubs and on television, while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than three hundred performances on Broadway and earned her numerous awards and accolades. She continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, disappearing from the public eye in 2000. Horne died on May 9, 2010 in New York City. During her lifetime, Horne was awarded four Grammys, a Tony, and a NAACP Image Award . She also received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1984.


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The Wiz

as Glinda the Good
Released: 1978-10-24

Dorothy Gale, a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept away to the magic land of Oz where she...

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Cabin in the Sky

as Georgia Brown
Released: 1943-03-24

When compulsive gambler Little Joe Jackson dies in a drunken fight, he awakens in purgatory,...

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The Green Book: Guide to Freedom

as Self - Singer (archive footage)
Released: 2019-02-25

In 1936, Victor H. Green (1892-1960) published The Negro Motorist Green Book, a book that was...

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That's Entertainment!

as (archive footage)
Released: 1974-06-21

Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50...

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Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1994-05-18

Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! was a 1994 TV special that aired...

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Sid & Judy

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2019-06-26

Explore the dramatic career and personal struggles of the talented and tragically short-lived...

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Till the Clouds Roll By

as Julie LaVerne / Lena Horne
Released: 1946-12-05

Light bio-pic of American Broadway pioneer Jerome Kern, featuring renditions of the famous songs...

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Ziegfeld Follies

as Lena Horne (segment "Love")
Released: 1945-08-26

The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in...

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Death of a Gunfighter

as Claire Quintana
Released: 1969-05-08

In the turn-of-the century Texas town of Cottownwood Springs, marshal Frank Patch is an...

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Night of 100 Stars II

as Self
Released: 1985-03-10

This special is the second "Night of 100 Stars" to benefit The Actors Fund of America. Edited...

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Words and Music

as Lena Horne
Released: 1948-12-31

Encomium to Larry Hart (1895-1943), seen through the fictive eyes of his song-writing partner,...

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Duchess of Idaho

as Lena Horne
Released: 1950-07-14

Ellen Hallit is in love with her playboy boss, Douglas Morrison, but is too timid to do anything...

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Thousands Cheer

as Lena Horne
Released: 1943-09-13

Acrobat Eddie Marsh is in the army now. His first act is to become friendly with Kathryn Jones,...

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Aretha Franklin: Duets

as Self
Released: 1993-05-09

A chance to hear admirers including Elton John, Gloria Estefan, Smokey Robinson, PM Dawn, Bonnie...

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Swing Fever

as Herself
Released: 1943-11-01

Comedy about a bandleader with hypnotic powers.

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I Dood It

as Herself
Released: 1943-09-01

Constance Shaw, a Broadway dance star, and Joseph Rivington Reynolds, a keen fan of hers, marry...

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That's Entertainment, Part II

as (archive footage)
Released: 1976-05-16

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire present more golden moments from the MGM film library, this time...

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Stormy Weather

as Selina Rogers
Released: 1943-07-21

The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of...

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Panama Hattie

as As self, Singer in Phil's Place (uncredited)
Released: 1942-09-30

Sailors and spies mingle in between the acts at Hattie's nightclub in the Canal Zone.

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Night of 100 Stars

as Self
Released: 1982-03-08

The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took...

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Meet Me in Las Vegas

as Lena Horne
Released: 1956-03-09

Chuck Rodwell is a gambling cowboy who discovers that he's lucky at the roulette wheel if he...

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That's Entertainment! III

as Self - Co-Host / Narrator
Released: 1994-07-01

Some of MGM'S musical stars review the studios history of musicals. From The Hollywood Revue of...

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Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days

as Self (uncredited) (archive footage)
Released: 2010-01-05

A look back at 40 years of Seasame Street.

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How It Feels to Be Free

as Self (archival footage)
Released: 2021-01-18

Tells the inspiring story of how six iconic African American female entertainers – Lena Horne,...

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It's Black Entertainment

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2002-02-08

A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of...

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Broadway Rhythm

as Fernway de la Fer
Released: 1944-01-19

Broadway producer Johnny Demming is only interested in big-name talent and scoffs that his...

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Sesame Street: A Celebration of Me, Grover

as uncredited
Released: 2004-08-31

He's furry, he's blue, and he's everyone's adorable, old pal, Grover, in his very own special!...

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Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

as Self
Released: 1999-02-24

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand presents the life and achievements of an extraordinary man. Athlete,...

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Now!

as Self (voice)
Released: 1965-01-01

Using morgue photos, newsreel footage, and a recording by Lena Horne, Cuban filmmaker Santiago...

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TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2004-01-01

Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of...

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The Duke Is Tops

as Ethel Andrews
Released: 1938-07-15

A theatrical producer puts aside his own success to boost the career of a talented singer.

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Sarah Vaughan & Other Jazz Divas

as uncredited
Released: 2005-01-01

Here's a perfect chance to compare and contrast a clutch of the greatest jazz divas in the...

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Two Girls and a Sailor

as Specialty
Released: 1944-06-14

A sailor helps two sisters start up a service canteen. The sailor soon becomes taken with...

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Judy Garland Duets

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2005-06-04

Judy performs beloved musical numbers with Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and more in this...

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Sesame Street: Learning About Letters

as Self
Released: 1986-05-12

With the help of his Sesame Street friends, Big Bird leads Snuffy on a fun-filled trip through...

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Mantan Messes Up

as Lene
Released: 1946-01-01

Mantan takes a job as office boy at a new TV station and gets to watch several pre-recorded...

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You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1990-07-23

Biographical portrait of one of Broadway's most brilliant songwriters. Told through the use of...

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The Frank Sinatra Timex Show - To the Ladies

as Self - Singer
Released: 1960-02-15

Surrounded by a mix of talented ladies, host Frank Sinatra does his thing.

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Beyond the Riviera

as uncredited
Released: 1960-10-24

Travelogue exploring the coastline, towns and surrounding mountains of the French Riviera.

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Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.2

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2006-12-06

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DTV: Golden Oldies

as Self
Released: 1984-09-01

Compilation of DTV music videos from on The Disney Channel, combining tunes from the 1940s...

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A.N.T.A. Album of 1955

as Herself
Released: 1955-03-28

A closed-circuit television special produced to raise funds for the relief agency CARE telecast...

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The Harlem Renaissance

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2004-01-01

Chronicling the Harlem Renaissance era, this retrospective documentary tracks the origins of the...

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An Evening With Lena Horne

as self
Released: 2005-01-01

Two nights after the September 16 & 17th Carnegie Hall Blue Note performances, Lena performed...

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Boogie-Woogie Dream

as uncredited
Released: 1944-01-01

After hours at a nightclub, the hired help have a jam session, which proves to be just what a...

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Studio Visit

as Herself
Released: 1946-05-11

This humorous Pete Smith Specialty short looks around various studios on a film lot.

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Swingtime Jamboree

as Herself
Released: 1946-01-01

Compilation film of various African-American performers and acts.

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The Incomparable Lena Horne

as uncredited
Released: 2004-10-26

The life and career of one of America's leading cultural figures, told through video clips and...

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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self
First aired: 1962-10-01

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight...

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The Cosby Show

as Lena Horne
First aired: 1984-09-20

The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for...

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The Mike Douglas Show

as Self
First aired: 1961-12-11

The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that...

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What's My Line?

as Self - Mystery Guest
First aired: 1950-02-02

Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while...

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Tony Awards

as Self - Recipient / Performer
First aired: 1956-04-01

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award,...

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Tony Awards

as Self - Co-Hostess
First aired: 1956-04-01

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award,...

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Tony Awards

as Self - Presenter
First aired: 1956-04-01

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award,...

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Tony Awards

as Self - Host
First aired: 1956-04-01

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award,...

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Great Performances

as Self
First aired: 1971-01-28

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse...

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The Steve Allen Show

as Self - Singer
First aired: 1956-06-24

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Sanford and Son

as uncredited
First aired: 1972-01-14

The misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.

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A Different World

as Self
First aired: 1987-09-24

A Different World is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise...

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The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self
First aired: 1948-06-20

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...

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The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self - Vocalist
First aired: 1948-06-20

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...

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Kraft Music Hall

as uncredited
First aired: 1958-10-08

Kraft Music Hall is an umbrella title for several television series aired by NBC in the United...

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Reading Rainbow

as Herself - Narrator (voice)
First aired: 1983-06-06

Journey to exciting places and build a lasting connection with your favorite books. Each episode...

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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

as Self
First aired: 1967-09-09

An American sketch comedy television program hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.

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The Muppet Show

as Self - Special Guest Star / Lola Bramswell
First aired: 1976-09-05

Go behind the curtains as Kermit the Frog and his muppet friends struggle to put on a weekly...

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American Masters

as Self
First aired: 1986-06-23

American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers,...

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The Kennedy Center Honors

as Self
First aired: 1978-12-28

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their...

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The Oscars

as Self
First aired: 1953-03-19

An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The...

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The Dean Martin Show

as uncredited
First aired: 1965-09-16

The Dean Martin Show, also known as The Dean Martin Variety Show, is a TV variety-comedy series...

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The Colgate Comedy Hour

as Self
First aired: 1950-09-10

The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC...

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Password

as uncredited
First aired: 1961-10-02

Password is an American television game show which was created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman...

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Your Show of Shows

as uncredited
First aired: 1950-02-25

Your Show of Shows was a live 90-minute variety show that was broadcast weekly in the United...

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The Flip Wilson Show

as Self
First aired: 1970-09-17

The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September...

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The Hollywood Palace

as Self
First aired: 1964-01-04

The Hollywood Palace is an hour-long American television variety show that was broadcast weekly...

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The Rosie O'Donnell Show

as Self
First aired: 1996-06-10

The Rosie O'Donnell Show was an American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by...

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The Judy Garland Show

as Self
First aired: 1963-12-08

The Judy Garland Show is an American musical variety television series that aired on CBS on...

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The DuPont Show of the Week

as Self
First aired: 1961-09-17

The DuPont Show of the Week is an American anthology drama series which aired for three seasons...

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The Perry Como Show

as uncredited
First aired: 1956-09-29

The Perry Como Show was a musical-comedy variety program hosted by Perry Como.

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