Bailey, Pearl

Variant names

Hide Profile

Pearl Bailey (1918-1990) was an African-American actress and singer. In films she was known chiefly for two roles: Maria in "Porgy and Bess"(1959) and Frankie in "Carmen Jones,"(1954) as well as her starring role on Broadway in an all-black cast version of "Hello Dolly." During World War II, Bailey toured with the USO, performing for American troops. Beginning in 1946 she was a top attraction in nightclubs, variety houses and television programs in the United States and Britain. At age 67, in 1985, she was graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor's degree in theology. Between 1968 and 1989 she published six books on her life, cooking, and educational experiences. Bailey served as a special ambassador to the United Nations in 1975 and 1989 and in 1988 received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From the description of Pearl Bailey letters, 1943-1990. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 692846775

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Gill, Glenda Eloise. Glenda Gill collection. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979. Collection of musicals and interviews [sound recording], 1926-1980. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Bailey, Pearl. Pearl Bailey letters, 1943-1990. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Colbert, Jean. Jean Colbert papers, 1949-1978. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Stewart, Michael, 1929-1987. Papers, 1960-1969. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Eugene Earle Collection, 1939-1980s University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
referencedIn Powell, Mel. The Mel Powell papers, 1942-1991 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Weston, M. Moran, 1910-. Papers, 1824-1994. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Goodman, Dean,. His life in theatre : an oral history : transcript, 2004 / Dean Goodman ; interviewer, Jeff Friedman ; editors, Sheryl Flatow ... [et al.]. Museum of Performance & Design
referencedIn Pearl Bailey collection, [19--?-ongoing]. Museum of Performance & Design
referencedIn Preston, Robert, 1913-1987. Robert Preston collection, 1920-1991. Boston University. School of Medicine
referencedIn Knight, John Shively, 1894-1981. John S. Knight papers, 1894-1981 bulk (1920-1981). University of Akron, Bierce Library
creatorOf Barrymore, Ethel, 1879-1959. Richard L. Coe Theater Programs Collection playbill advertisements and miscellany. Library of Congress
referencedIn Rouben Mamoulian Papers, 1740-1987, (bulk 1906-1987) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Bellson, Louis. Louis Bellson collection, 1943-1996 (bulk ca. 1950-ca. 1970). Library of Congress
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bellson, Louis. person
associatedWith Colbert, Jean. person
associatedWith Earle, Eugene. person
associatedWith Gill, Glenda Eloise. person
associatedWith Goodman, Dean, person
correspondedWith Knight, John Shively, 1894-1981. person
associatedWith Mamoulian, Rouben. person
associatedWith Morrison, Lillian. person
associatedWith Powell, Mel. person
correspondedWith Preston, Robert, 1913-1987. person
associatedWith Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979. person
associatedWith Stewart, Michael, 1929-1987. person
associatedWith Weston, M. Moran, 1910- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
African American actresses
African American entertainers
African American singers
African Americans in the performing arts
Female friendship
Occupation
Performer
Activity

Person

Birth 1918-03-29

Death 1990-08-17

Americans

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kp8ch9

Ark ID: w6kp8ch9

SNAC ID: 9739875