Harry Belafonte, , the 'King of Calypso,' , Dead at 96.<br />On April 25, legendary <br />singer, activist and actor , Harry Belafonte , died at the age of 96.<br />CNN reports that Belafonte's publicist, <br />Ken Sunshine, said that the 'King of Calypso' <br />died of congestive heart failure.<br />His role in the 1954 film adaptation of <br />'Carmen Jones' made him a movie star. .<br />His 1956 hit, "The Banana Boat Song <br />(Day-O)," made him an instant success.<br />His 1956 hit, "The Banana Boat Song <br />(Day-O)," made him an instant success.<br />CNN reports that Belafonte was also <br />"a key strategist, fundraiser and mediator <br />for the civil rights movement.".<br />His participation in the movement <br />nearly cost him his career and his life.<br />I’ve often responded to queries that ask, <br />‘When as an artist did you decide to become <br />an activist?’ My response to the question is <br />that I was an activist long before I became <br />an artist. They both service each other,<br />but the activism is first, Harry Belafonte, via CNN.<br />He became a close friend of <br />Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who would often <br />visit Belafonte's New York apartment.<br />He became a close friend of <br />Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who would often <br />visit Belafonte's New York apartment.<br />He also helped lead a campaign against <br />apartheid in South Africa, where he became <br />friends with Nelson Mandela.<br />He also helped lead a campaign against <br />apartheid in South Africa, where he became <br />friends with Nelson Mandela.<br />As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, <br />Belafonte also mobilized support for <br />the fight against HIV/AIDS.
