Month: April 2023

Famed actor, singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte died Tuesday at his home in Manhattan at the age of 96. Belafonte’s longtime representative, Ken Sunshine, confirmed in a press release that Belafonte died Tuesday morning “of congestive heart failure at his New York home at the age of 96, his wife Pamela [Frank] by his side.”

The Jamaican-American Belafonte rose to prominence as an entertainer in the 1950s, appearing in films like Carmen Jones (1954), Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), and The World, the Flesh and the Devil (1959). Belafonte made acting history twice: he was the first black man to win a Tony (in 1954 for ‘Almanac’) and the first to win an Emmy (in 1959 for ‘An Evening with Belafonte’).

His successful music career which skyrocketed with the release of the 1955 album Belafonte. Known as the ‘King of Calypso’, Belafonte brought Caribbean music to a global audience with his 1956 breakthrough album, Calypso, featuring the hits “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” “Jump in the Line” and “Jamaica Farewell.”  Calypso became the first LP ever to sell one million copies; and to this day, Belafonte remains one of the best-selling recording artists in history.

Despite his success in the entertainment world, Belafonte saw himself first and foremost as “a civil rights warrior.” His focus turned to the civil rights movement in the late 1950s, and he became an outspoken activist who was a confidant of his friend, Martin Luther King Jr.  Belafonte was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1987. His humanitarian work led to him receiving an honorary Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, from the Academy in 2014. Belafonte remained a crusader for social justice until the end of his life, and in one of his final acts of charity, the singer celebrated his 94th birthday in March 2021 with a star-studded virtual party that raised money for ‘The Gathering for Justice’, a social justice organization he founded in 2005. Last year, Belafonte was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the ‘Early Influence’ category, becoming the oldest living person to join the organization.

Belafonte married his third wife, photographer Pamela Frank, in 2008, and is survived by children Adrienne Belafonte Biesemeyer, Shari Belafonte, David Belafonte and Gina Belafonte as well as two stepchildren Sarah Frank and Lindsey Frank. He also has eight grandchildren: Rachel Blue Biesemeyer, Brian Biesemeyer, Maria Belafonte McCray, Sarafina Belafonte, Amadeus Belafonte, Mateo Frank, Olive Scanga and Zoe Frank.

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Tributes are pouring in on social media after news broke that longtime Dancing with the Stars judge Len Goodman had died on Saturday of bone cancer. Goodman’s agent confirmed on Monday that the 78-year old died two days prior at a hospice in Kent, England.  A statement to the BBC read: “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”

Goodman was one of the original three judges on the reality dance competition, which premiered on ABC in 2005. Goodman served as head judge with Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, missing parts of season 19 and 23 and all of season 21 and 29. A former competitive ballroom dancer himself, Goodman was also known for the U.K. show ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’ He announced his departure from DWTS in November 2022 after season 31, sharing at the time: “I’ve been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be part of such a wonderful show, but I’ve decided I would like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain. I cannot thank you enough, the Dancing With the Stars family, it’s been such a wonderful experience for me and I’m looking forward so much to next week’s finale.”

Tonioli wrote on Instagram: “Heart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom legend #lengoodman passed away I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars they will never be anyone like you we will miss you Bruno”  Inaba also shared on Instagram: “a dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And … a treasured friend. Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today’s news has shattered it all over again. I can’t believe that you’re gone. You were one of a kind my dear friend. And I will cherish our memories and hold them close, while I join so many others in mourning your loss. Thank you for all that you shared with us. Your humor, your wisdom, your wit and your truth. Until we meet again Rest In Peace Len ”

Goodman is survived by wife Sue Barrett and his son, James William Goodman.

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CNN CEO Chris Licht announced that ‘CBS Mornings’ co-anchor Gayle King and ‘NBA on TNT’ analyst Charles Barkley will host a weekly primetime program titled ‘King Charles.’

The hour-long ‘King Charles’ is set to debut on CNN later this year through 2024. King will continue to work for CBS Mornings, and Barkley will keep his duties at Turner Sports. Barkley said he was originally not interested in hosting a show for CNN until King’s name was mentioned. King, similarly, said she wasn’t looking for another job.  Said King of the program: “What I think is so great for the both of us is that it is live TV. Whatever happens, happens.” 

Licht’s full memo to staff about King Charles read:  ‘To my CNN Colleagues, I am thrilled to share that CNN will be home to a new show featuring the extraordinary duo of Gayle King and Charles Barkley, aptly titled ‘King Charles,’ which will air weekly in primetime beginning this fall and running into 2024. This show will be an exciting new way we are delivering culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives to our audience, from two incredibly dynamic personalities. We are excited that they are both able to join us in addition to their current respective roles with Gayle continuing to anchor CBS Mornings. ‘King Charles’ exemplifies the one-team, one-company mentality with Charles playing double duty at CNN and in his role at WBD Sports.’

CNN has been undergoing a programming reset since Licht joined about a year ago, launching a new morning show and revamping the daytime news hours with a more dynamic format. In primetime, CNN has tried a number of formats, from panel discussions to longform interviews.

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Comcast announced on Sunday that NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell is stepping down following an investigation by outside counsel after a complaint of “inappropriate conduct.” Comcast said Shell’s departure, “effective immediately,” followed an investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint, but offered no further details, nor did the say who will succeed Shell. Comcast and Shell jointly announced the news, noting that the two mutually agreed on the decision.

Shell, who had been with the company since 2004, said in a statement: “I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret. I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege.”

Shell was named CEO of NBCUniversal in January 2020. According to the company website, he oversaw the company’s portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television and sports production operations, and a leading television stations group. He also oversaw the company’s theme parks and their streaming service Peacock, launched in 2020.

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Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Andrea Bocelli are among the performers set to appear at King Charles III’s coronation concert, taking place the day after his installment on the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 7. The BBC said in a statement: “The concert will celebrate a new chapter in the nation’s history, with themes of love, respect and optimism, celebrating the four nations, their communities and the Commonwealth.” Take That (sans Robbie Williams), Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings, and classical-soul composer-producer Alexis French will also be performing at the celebration, with additional names to be confirmed.

Perry and Richie have known King Charles for years, having served as ambassadors for his charities. Perry has been an ambassador of the British Asian Trust since 2020, a nonprofit co-founded by Charles to tackle poverty in South Asia. Perry said in a statement: “I am excited to be performing at the Coronation Concert, and helping to shine a further light on the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, whose work includes on-ground initiatives to fundraising, with the aim to find solutions to child trafficking.” Richie was appointed as the first global ambassador and first chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for the Prince’s Trust in 2019, which Charles founded the organization in 1976 to benefit disadvantaged youth. Said Richie: “To share the stage with the other performers at The Coronation Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it will be an honor and a celebration.”

BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore said in a statement: “We are bringing the nation together for this once in a generation occasion, broadcast exclusively across the BBC live from Windsor Castle. We have a world-class line-up of performers to look forward to for what promises to be a very special night of celebration and entertainment.”

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