Pearl Bailey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pearl Bailey
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Bailey c. 1946
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| Born |
Pearl Mae Bailey
March 29, 1918 Newport News, Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | August 17, 1990 (aged 72) |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, author |
| Years active | 1936–1989 |
| Spouse(s) |
John Randolph Pinkett
(m. 1948–1952) |
| Children | 2 |
Pearl Mae Bailey (March 29, 1918 – August 17, 1990) was a famous American actress, singer, and author. She was known for her unique voice and charming personality. Pearl Bailey starred in many Broadway shows, movies, and TV shows. She also wrote several books.
Pearl Bailey made her first big appearance on Broadway in 1946 in a show called St. Louis Woman. Later, she won a special Tony Award for her role in the all-black cast of Hello, Dolly! in 1968. She even won a Daytime Emmy award in 1986 for playing a fairy godmother in a TV special. Her song "Takes Two to Tango" was a big hit in 1952.
In 1976, Pearl Bailey became the first African-American to receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. This award honors actors for their amazing careers. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988, which is one of the highest awards a civilian can get in the U.S.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps
Pearl Bailey was born in Newport News, Virginia. Her parents were Joseph James and Ella Mae Ricks Bailey. She grew up in Newport News and went to Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk. This was one of the first schools in the area to offer higher education for black students.
Pearl started singing on stage when she was 15 years old. Her brother, Bill Bailey, who was a tap dancer, suggested she try an amateur contest. She won the contest at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia. She later won another contest at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. After these wins, she decided to become an entertainer.
A Star's Journey
In the 1930s, Pearl Bailey began singing and dancing in nightclubs in Philadelphia. Soon, she was performing all over the East Coast. During World War II, in 1941, she toured with the USO. She performed for American soldiers, bringing them joy.
After the war, she moved to New York. She became a successful nightclub performer. She also performed with famous musicians like Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. In 1946, Pearl made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman. She won an award for being the best new Broadway performer.
In 1967, Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway led an all-black cast in a version of Hello, Dolly! This show was a huge hit. It was so popular that it moved to Broadway and sold out every night. Pearl received a special Tony Award for her amazing performance.
Pearl Bailey was a big fan of the New York Mets baseball team. She sang the national anthem before a World Series game in 1969. She also sang it before a game in the 1981 World Series.
From January to May 1971, Pearl hosted her own TV show called The Pearl Bailey Show. Many famous guests appeared on her show, including Lucille Ball and Louis Armstrong.
After her TV show, she lent her voice to animated movies. She was the voice of Mrs. Elephant in Tubby the Tuba (1976). She also voiced Big Mama the Owl in Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981).
In 1985, at age 67, Pearl Bailey earned a degree in theology from Georgetown University. It took her seven years to complete her studies. She showed that it's never too late to learn!
Pearl Bailey also appeared in many commercials. She was known for singing ""Bill Bailey (Won't You Come Home)" for Duncan Hines commercials.
In her later years, Pearl wrote several books. These included The Raw Pearl (1968) and Pearl's Kitchen (1973). In 1975, President Gerald Ford appointed her as a special ambassador to the United Nations. She held this important role under three different presidents. Her last book, Between You and Me (1989), shared her experiences with higher education.
Personal Life
On November 19, 1952, Pearl Bailey married jazz drummer Louie Bellson in London. They stayed married for nearly 38 years until her death in 1990. Louie Bellson was six years younger than Pearl. They adopted a son named Tony and had a daughter named Dee Dee.
Pearl Bailey was a Republican. In 1970, President Richard Nixon appointed her as the nation's "Ambassador of Love." She attended several meetings at the United Nations.
She was also a close friend of actress Joan Crawford. Pearl sang a hymn at Joan Crawford's funeral. She was also good friends with socialite Perle Mesta.
Later Years and Legacy
Pearl Bailey passed away on August 17, 1990, in Philadelphia. She had dealt with heart problems for over thirty years. She is buried in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Pearl Bailey is remembered in many ways. A high school in the TV show American Dad! is named Pearl Bailey High School. A library in her hometown of Newport News, Virginia, is also named after her. A dress she owned is now in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Performances
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Film
Television
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Pearl Bailey and Nanette Fabray in Arms and the Girl (1950)
Perry Como and Pearl Bailey (1971)
Theater
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Discography
- Pearl Bailey Entertains (1950) and 1953
- Birth of the Blues (1952)
- Cultured Pearl (1952)
- I'm with You (1953)
- Say Si Si (1953)
- Around the World with Me (1954)
- Carmelina (1955)
- The Intoxicating Pearl Bailey (1956)
- The One and Only Pearl Bailey Sings (1956)
- Gems by Pearl Bailey (1958)
- Porgy & Bess, original motion picture soundtrack (1959) (Grammy Award winner)
- Pearl Bailey A-Broad (1959)
- Pearl Bailey Sings for Adults Only (1959)
- Pearl Bailey Plus Margie Anderson Singing the Blues (1960?)
- More Songs for Adults Only (1960)
- For Adult Listening (1960)
- Naughty but Nice (1960)
- Songs of the Bad Old Days (1960)
- Pearl Bailey Sings the Songs of Harold Arlen (1961)
- Come On, Let's Play with Pearlie Mae (1962)
- Happy Sounds (1962)
- All About Good Little Girls and Bad Little Boys (1963)
- C'est La Vie (1963)
- Les Poupées de Paris (1964)
- Songs By James Van Heusen (1964)
- The Risque World of Pearl Bailey (1964)
- For Women Only (1965)
- The Jazz Singer (1965)
- Hello, Dolly! (1967 Broadway cast)
- After Hours (1969)
- Pearl's Pearls (1971)
Images for kids
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With Carol Channing on a TV special One More Time (1974)
See also
In Spanish: Pearl Bailey para niños
- It takes two to tango
