Lena Horne

Who Was Lena Horne?

Lena Horne was an iconic singer, actress, and civil rights activist who made a lasting impact on American entertainment and social justice. She began her career as a live singer, earning acclaim for her vocal talent, and later transitioned to film. Horne signed with MGM Studios, becoming one of the first prominent African American performers in Hollywood. She starred in notable films like Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. Refusing to accept roles that perpetuated stereotypes of African American women, Horne used her platform to advocate for civil rights, which at times sparked controversy. After stepping away from the spotlight in the 1970s, she made a celebrated comeback in 1981 with her award-winning show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.

Early Life

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born on June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. Her father was a banker and professional gambler, and her mother was an actress. Both of her parents were of mixed African American, European American, and Native American descent. Following her parents’ separation, Horne lived with her grandparents and later accompanied her mother on theatrical tours across the country. At 16, she dropped out of school to begin performing at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, quickly establishing herself in the entertainment industry.

Lena Horne’s Film Career

Horne’s breakthrough came in 1943 when she performed at the Savoy-Plaza Hotel, garnering national attention. She was featured in Life magazine and soon became the highest-paid African American entertainer at the time. Signing a seven-year contract with MGM Studios, she made history by refusing roles that relegated Black women to stereotypes, such as domestic workers. Horne is best known for her performances in Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather (1943), where her rendition of the title song became her signature.

Her film career extended into later decades, with notable appearances in Death of a Gunfighter (1969) and her final film role in The Wiz (1978), where she played Glinda the Good Witch.

Music, Activism, and Blacklisting

Beyond her work in Hollywood, Horne made significant contributions to music and civil rights. She released successful albums like It’s Love (1955) and Stormy Weather (1957), and her live album Lena Horne at the Waldorf Astoria became one of RCA’s best-selling records by a female artist. As an activist, she sued restaurants and theaters for racial discrimination and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, partially due to her association with fellow activist Paul Robeson.

Despite the blacklist, Horne’s music career flourished, and she continued to perform in prestigious venues across the world. She became an influential voice in the Civil Rights Movement, performing at rallies and participating in the historic 1963 March on Washington.

Broadway and Later Career

Horne’s career experienced a resurgence in 1981 with her one-woman Broadway show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for 14 months and earned her multiple awards, including a special Tony Award and two Grammys. In 1995, she released An Evening With Lena Horne: Live at the Supper Club, winning another Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Though she gradually retreated from public life, she remained a revered figure in music and entertainment.

Personal Life and Legacy

Horne’s personal life was complex. She married Louis Jones in 1937, with whom she had two children, but they divorced in 1944. Later, she married white bandleader Lennie Hayton in 1947, a union that faced racial prejudice. Though they separated in the 1960s, they remained married.

Lena Horne’s legacy as a trailblazer in entertainment and civil rights remains significant. Her biography, Stormy Weather by James Gavin, was published in 2009, and she also wrote her memoir, Lena, in 1965. Horne passed away on May 9, 2010, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence and activism that continues to inspire.