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{{Short description|American actress and singer (1918–1990)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2012}}

factoids

| birth_name = Pearl Mae Bailey191829}}| birth_place = Newport News, Virginia, U.S.1990173|29}}| death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.| occupation = Actress, singer, author| years_active = 1936–1989

• {{marriage|John Randolph Pinkett|1948|1952{edih}
• {{marriage|Louie Bellson|1952}}

}}| children = 2}}Pearl Mae Bailey (March 29, 1918 – August 17, 1990) was an American actress, singer and author.BOOK, The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music, Colin, Larkin, Colin Larkin (writer), Virgin Books, 2002, Third, 1-85227-937-0, 26/7, Encyclopedia of Popular Music, After appearing in vaudeville, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946.WEB,weblink Who's Who in Musicals: A to Ba, Musicals101.com, October 17, 2019, She received a Special Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968. In 1986, she won a Daytime Emmy award for her performance as a fairy godmother in the ABC Afterschool Special Cindy Eller: A Modern Fairy Tale. Her rendition of "Takes Two to Tango" hit the top ten in 1952.NEWS, Bergman, Peter J., 2021-06-30, Two to Tango: Rashidra Scott plays Pearl Bailey in 'Ambassador of Love',weblink 2022-04-06, The Berkshire Edge, en-US, In 1976, she became the first African-American to receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on October 17, 1988.

Early life

(File:Portrait of Pearl Bailey, as Connecticut in Arms of the Girl LCCN2004662540.jpg|thumb|upright|Portrait of Pearl Bailey (1960))Bailey was born in Newport News, Virginia to the Reverend Joseph James and Ella Mae Ricks Bailey. When she was very young, the family moved to Washington, DC. After her parents' divorce, Bailey moved to Philadelphia to live with her mother.WEB, Mehley, Allyson, Dipasquale, Laura, 2021-09-22, Historic Spotlight: Pearl Bailey {{!, Department of Planning and Development |url=https://www.phila.gov/2021-09-22-historic-spotlight-pearl-bailey/ |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=City of Philadelphia |language=en-US}}Bailey made her stage-singing debut at the age of 15. Her brother Bill BaileyWEB, Feser, Molly, 2021-03-29, Women's History Month: Pearl Bailey, singer, actress and icon,weblink 2022-04-02, Williamsburg Yorktown Daily, en-US, was beginning his own career as a tap dancer and suggested that she enter an amateur contest at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia. Bailey won and was offered $35 a week to perform there for two weeks. However, the theater closed during her engagement and she was not paid.BOOK, Pennsylvania Biographical Dictionary,weblink North American Book Dist LLC, 978-0-403-09950-4, 56, January 1, 1999, July 10, 2017, She later won a similar competition at Harlem's famous Apollo Theater and decided to pursue a career in entertainment. She was also known to have performed in the church choir at St Peter Claver Catholic Church in Brooklyn, at the behest of Msgr Bernard J. Quinn.WEB, Quinn was 'quintessential priest',weblink 2022-07-13, Irish Echo Newspaper, en,

Career

(File:Pearl Bailey ca 1960.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Pearl Bailey, {{circa}} 1960)Bailey began by singing and dancing in Philadelphia's black nightclubs in the 1930s, and soon started performing in other parts of the East Coast. In 1941, during World War II, Bailey toured the country with the USO, performing for American troops. After the tour, she settled in New York. Her solo successes as a nightclub performer were followed by acts with entertainers such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. In 1946, Bailey made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman. For her performance, she won a Donaldson Award as the best Broadway newcomer. Bailey continued to tour and record albums along with her stage and screen performances. Early in the television medium, Bailey guest starred on CBS's Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town.(File:PearlBailey-takes-a-call.jpg|thumb|upright|Bailey, costumed in the role of Butterfly, gauges the applause following her performance of the song "It's a Woman's Prerogative" on July 5, 1946. Sustained applause required her to take another bow.)Female impersonator Lynne Carter credited Bailey with launching his career."Lynne Carter, Impersonator," New York Times (January 14, 1985), p. A16.In 1967, Bailey and Cab Calloway headlined an all-black cast version of Hello, Dolly! The touring version was so successful that producer David Merrick took it to Broadway, where it played to sold-out houses and revitalized the long-running musical. Bailey was given a special Tony Award for her role, and RCA Victor released a second original-cast album, the only recording of the score to have an overture written especially for the recording.File:Pearl Bailey Ed Sullivan Show 1968.JPG|thumb|upright|Bailey on The Ed Sullivan Show performing "Before the Parade Passes By" during her run in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway (1968)]]A passionate fan of the New York Mets, Bailey sang the national anthem at Shea Stadium prior to Game 5 of the 1969 World Series, and appears in the World Series highlight film showing her support for the team. She also sang the national anthem prior to Game 1 of the 1981 World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.Bailey hosted her own variety series on ABC, The Pearl Bailey Show (January – May 1971), which featured many notable guests, including Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong (one of his last appearances before his death).BOOK, Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops, Hyatt, Wesley, McFarland & Co, 2003, 9781476605159, 199, 606977128, Following her 1971 television series, she provided voices for animations such as Tubby the Tuba (1976) and Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981). She returned to Broadway in 1975, playing the lead in an all-black production of Hello, Dolly!. In October 1975, she was invited by Betty Ford to sing for Egyptian president Anwar Sadat at a White House state dinner as part of Mideast peace initiative.WEB,weblink Playing the White House: Entertaining with the US president, BBC News, 30 September 2011, She earned a degree in theology from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1985 at age 67.NEWS, Trescott, Jacqueline, 1985-05-25, Pearl Bailey, the Graduate,weblink 2022-06-18, The Washington Post, It took her seven years to earn her degree. At Georgetown, she was a student of the philosopher Wilfrid Desan.Later in her career, Bailey was a fixture as a spokesperson in a series of Duncan Hines commercials, singing "Bill Bailey (Won't You Come Home)." She also appeared in commercials for Jell-O,Pearl Bailey "Jell-O TV commercial WestinghousePearl Bailey Westinghouse TV commercial and Paramount Chicken.In her later years, Bailey wrote several books: The Raw Pearl (1968), Talking to Myself (1971), Pearl's Kitchen (1973) and Hurry Up America and Spit (1976). In 1975, she was appointed special ambassador to the United Nations by President Gerald Ford, a position she held under three presidents.NEWS, McLellan, Joseph, 1990-08-18, Pearl Bailey, Delegate of Delight,weblink The Washington Post, BOOK,weblink Women's International Center (WIC): Pearl Bailey, Women's International Center (WIC), en, Her last book, Between You and Me (1989), details her experiences with higher education. On January 19, 1985, she appeared on a nationally televised broadcast gala the night before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan. In 1988, Bailey received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Reagan.WEB, Reagan, Ronald, October 17, 1988, Remarks at the Presentation Ceremony for the Presidential Medal of Freedom,weblink March 28, 2022, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum,

Personal life

Bailey went through a number of failed marriages in her earlier adult years. She married John Randolph Pinkett, either her third or fourth husband, when she was 30 years old, and divorced him four years later, accusing him of physical abuse.WEB, Oliver, Myrna, 1990-08-18, From the Archives: Entertainer Pearl Bailey, Enduring Star, Dies at 72,weblink live,weblink September 2, 2021, 2021-09-04, Los Angeles Times, en-US, WEB, Rivas, Aby, 2021-06-12, Inside Pearl Bailey & Louie Bellson's Interracial Relationship despite His Father's Objection,weblink 2021-09-04, news.amomama.com, en, On November 19, 1952, Bailey married jazz drummer Louie Bellson in London. They remained married until her death nearly 38 years later in 1990. Bellson was six years Bailey's junior and white. Interracial couples were rare at that time, and Bellson's father was reportedly opposed to the marriage because of Bailey's race.They later adopted a son, Tony, in the mid-1950s. A daughter, Dee Dee Jean Bellson,WEB, Dee Dee Jean Bellson Obituary,weblink was born April 20, 1960. Tony Bellson died in 2004. Dee Dee Bellson died on July 4, 2009, at the age of 49, five months after her father, who died on February 14.{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} Bailey, a Republican, was appointed by President Richard Nixon as the nation's "Ambassador of Love" in 1970. She attended several meetings of the United Nations and later appeared in a campaign ad for President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election.WEB,weblink The Living Room Candidate - Commercials - 1976 - Pearl Bailey, Livingroomcandidate.org, October 17, 2019, She was awarded the Bronze Medallion in 1968, the highest award conferred upon civilians by New York City.{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} Bailey was a close friend of actress Joan Crawford.WEB,weblink The Evening News – Google News Archive Search, News.google.com, 2016-05-14, In 1969, Crawford and Bailey joined fellow friend Gypsy Rose Lee in accepting a USO award. That same year, Bailey was recognized as USO's woman of the year.JOURNAL, October 25, 1969, USO Award,weblink Spokane Daily Chronicle, May 14, 2016, WEB,weblink The Afro American - Google News Archive Search, News.google.com, 2016-05-14, Upon Crawford's death in May 1977, Bailey spoke of Crawford as her sister and sang a hymn at her funeral.BOOK,weblink Joan Crawford: Hollywood Martyr, Bret, David, 2009-04-01, Da Capo Press, 978-0786732364, en, American socialite Perle Mesta was another of Bailey's close friends.WEB,weblink The Spokesman-Review – Google News Archive Search, News.google.com, 2016-05-14, In the waning days of Mesta's life, Bailey visited Mesta frequently and sang hymns for her.WEB,weblink Lodi News-Sentinel – Google News Archive Search, News.google.com, 2016-05-14, WEB,weblink Observer-Reporter – Google News Archive Search, News.google.com, 2016-05-14,

Death

Bailey died at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia on August 17, 1990. An autopsy confirmed the death was caused by the narrowing of a coronary artery.WEB, Arterial disease killed Pearl Bailey, doctor says,weblink 2022-03-11, UPI, en, Bailey had suffered from heart problems for over thirty years.Bailey is buried at Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania.NEWS, 1990-08-24, Pearl Bailey's Love Is Remembered at Her Funeral, en-US, The New York Times,weblink 2022-03-12, 0362-4331,

Remembrances

The television show American Dad! features Pearl Bailey High School.BOOK,weblink Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 – Vincent Terrace – Google Books, May 1, 2013, 9780786486410, 2011, Terrace, Vincent, McFarland, The 1969 song "We Got More Soul" by Dyke and the Blazers includes Bailey in its roster of icons.WEB,weblink Dyke & The Blazers - We Got More Soul Lyrics, Musixmatch.com, October 17, 2019, A dress owned by Bailey is at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.NEWS,weblink Givhan, Robin, Black Fashion Museum Collection Finds a Fine Home With Smithsonian, The Washington Post, May 23, 2010, January 30, 2012, A library in her hometown of Newport News, Virginia is named after her.

Performances

{{Col-begin}}{{Col-break}}Film

• Variety Girl (1947) – Pearl Bailey – Singer
• Isn't It Romantic? (1948) – Addie
• Carmen Jones (1954) – Frankie
• That Certain Feeling (1956) – Augusta aka Gussie
• St. Louis Blues (1958) – Aunt Hagar
• Porgy and Bess (1959) – Maria
• All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960) – Ruby
• The Landlord (1970) – Marge
• Tubby the Tuba (1975) – Mrs. Elephant (voice)
• Norman... Is That You? (1976) – Beatrice Chambers
• The Fox and the Hound (1981) – Big Mama – Owl (voice)

Television

• The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom (prior to 1960) – Herself
• The Andy Williams Show (1963) – HerselfWEB,weblink THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW (1962/9), Loc.gov,
• The Ed Sullivan Show (1968) – Guest Star
• Mike and Pearl (1968) – Herself
• Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway (1969) – Herself
• The Pearl Bailey Show (1971) (midseason replacement series) – Herself – Host / Singer
• The Carol Burnett Show (1972) – Guest Star
• One More Time (1974), a CBS musical comedy specialwith Carol Channing, George Burns and others – HerselfOne More Time Press Release at Wikimedia Commons
• The Love Boat (1977) – Millie Washington
• All-Star Salute to Pearl Bailey (1979) – Herself
• The Muppet Show (1979) – Herself
• The Member of the Wedding (1982) – Bernice Sadie Brown
• As the World Turns (cast member in 1982) – Herself
• Peter Gunn (1989) (unsold pilot) – Mother (final television appearance)

{{Col-break}}File:Pearl Bailey Nanette Fabray Arms and the Girl 1950.jpg|thumb|upright|Pearl Bailey and Nanette FabrayNanette FabrayFile:Pearl Bailey Perry Como The Pearl Bailey Show 1971.JPG|thumb|upright|Perry ComoPerry ComoTheater

• St. Louis Woman (1946) (Broadway)
• Arms and the Girl (1950) (Broadway)
• Bless You All (1950) (Broadway)
• House of Flowers (1954) (Broadway)
• Les Poupées de Paris (1962) (Off-Broadway) (voice only)
• Call Me Madam (1966) (Melodyland Theater)
• Hello, Dolly! (1967) (Broadway and US national tour)
• Hello, Dolly! (1975) (Broadway)

{{col-end}}

Discography{| class"wikitable" style"text-align:center;"

! rowspan="2" |Year! style="width:400px;" rowspan="2"| Single! colspan="5"|Chart positions style="font-size:smaller;"! style="width:40px;"| "US Retail Sales"! style="width:40px;"| "US Disc Jockey" ! style="width:40px;"| "US Juke Box" ! style="width:40px;"| USR&B 1946 "Fifteen Years (And I'm Still Serving Time)" (with Mitchell Ayres)| –| –| –| 4|File:Pearl Bailey Carol Channing 1973.JPG|thumb|upright|With Carol ChanningCarol Channing{{Div col}}

• 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)

{{div col end}}

Bibliography

• The Raw Pearl (1968) (autobiography)
• Talking to Myself (1971) (autobiography)
• Pearl's Kitchen: An Extraordinary Cookbook (1973)
• Duey's Tale (1975) (Photos and Design by Arnold Skolnick)
• Hurry Up America and Spit (1976)
• Between You and Me: A Heartfelt Memoir on Learning, Loving, and Living (1989)

See also

• It takes two to tango

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

• {{IMDb name|0047440}}
• {{IBDB name}}
• Pearl Bailey at TVGuide.com
• {{Amg name|3301}}
• Pearl Bailey Collection at the Library of Congress
• Pearl Bailey papers from African American Museum in Philadelphia

{{Navboxes| title = Awards for Pearl Bailey| list ={{Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming}}{{ScreenActorsGuildAward LifeAchievement 1960–1979}}{{Special Tony Award}}}}{{Virginia Women in History}}{{Authority control}}