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Lena Horne Headshot

Lena Horne

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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BIO

Horne was an American dancer, actress, Grammy-winning singer, and civil rights activist. Horne's career spanned over 70 years, appearing in film, television, and theater. Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood.



Horne advocated for human rights and took part in the March on Washington in August 1963. Later she returned to her roots as a nightclub performer and continued to work on television, while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than 300 performances on Broadway. She then toured the country in the show, earning numerous awards and accolades. Horne continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, retreating from the public eye in 2000. Horne died of congestive heart failure on May 9, 2010, at the age of 92.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Unknown, 1981
Performer

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1974
Performer

[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1961
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Savannah

[Broadway]
1939
Performer

[Broadway]
1934
A Quadronne Girl

[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Revival, 1978
Vera Simpson


Movies

The Duke Is Tops
[ 1938 ] Ethel Andrews
Cabin in the Sky
[ 1943 ] Georgia Brown
Swing Fever
[ 1943 ] Lena Horne
I Dood It
[ 1943 ] Lena Horne
Thousands Cheer
[ 1943 ] Lena Horne
Stormy Weather
[ 1943 ] Selina Rogers
Broadway Rhythm
[ 1944 ] Fernway de la Fer
Two Girls and a Sailor
[ 1944 ] Lena Horne
Ziegfeld Follies
[ 1945 ] Lena HorneLove
Words and Music
[ 1948 ] Lena Horne
Duchess of Idaho
[ 1950 ] Lena Horne
Meet Me in Las Vegas
[ 1956 ] Lena Horne
Death of a Gunfighter
[ 1969 ] Claire Quintana
The Wiz
[ 1978 ] Glinda the Good

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1981 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Lena Horne, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1981 - Special Citation

Lena Horne, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1981 - Special Tony Award

Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Lena Horne, Jamaica

Videos

News


Tickets to SIX at Clowes Memorial Hall to go on Sale Tomorrow

Tickets for the Tony Award-Winning SIX by Tony Award-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss will go on sale this week for performances at Clowes Memorial Hall. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: SIX Queens Celebrate Six Years With A Royal Afternoon Tea At The Rubens At The Palace

The stars of the award-winning global smash hit SIX enjoyed Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace on 6 November, in the shadow of Buckingham Palace. Check out photos from the afternoon.
Tickets on Sale This Week For SIX in Seattle

Tickets for the Seattle run of SIX the musical, by Tony Award®-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will go on sale Wednesday, November 6 for the eight performances between May 6 – 11, 2025.
Adrianna Hicks Will Return to SIX on Broadway

Original Broadway cast member Adrianna Hicks will return to cast of Six as Catherine of Aragon starting Monday, November 25. Learn more about when to catch her in the show here!
SIX Comes to Fresno in 2025

Broadway in Fresno has announced that tickets for the Tony Award®-Winning electrifying new musical phenomenon SIX by Tony Award®-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss are on sale now.
Review: René Marie Jumps Into Belafonte's Calypso Beats at Jazz at Lincoln Center

René Marie at the Appel Room is a formidable, feisty presence saluting the late legend Harry Belafonte, concentrating on calypso. Her handling of the repertoire of legendary Belafonte, JUMP IN THE LINE!, brings a warm embrace with a hot band.
Tickets to THE WIZ at the Citizens Opera House on Sale Now

Tickets for the Boston engagement of THE WIZ are currently on sale.  THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. 
Top Five Finalists Revealed for 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center revealed the top five finalists for the 13th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, featuring emerging talents from around the world. Learn more!
Karen Slack, Lyric Unlimited's Artist-In-Residence, To Present Three-Part Recital Series

Karen Slack, Lyric Unlimited's Artist-In-Residence, will present a three-part recital series exploring diverse musical genres and themes, offering audiences a unique musical experience. Learn more about the series!
Hattie McDaniel Biopic Sets Houston Film Premiere This Month

Vincent Victoria Presents have announced the premiere of THE DICHOTOMY OF HATTIE MCDANIEL, a film exploring the life of the first African American Academy Award winner, debuting October 26, 2024, in Houston.
Photos: SIX THE MUSICAL Welcomes New Queens to the West End

All new production photos have been released featuring the new West End cast of Six the Musical. Plus, Six has once again extended its reign in the West End, with tickets now available at the Vaudeville Theatre until 30 November 2025.
Cast Set For CAESAR'S CIRCUS at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

“Caesar’s Circus,” an all-new show starring one of Chicago’s most beloved performers, Frank Ferrante, announces its full cast that includes a diverse array of performers from a variety of locales specializing in juggling, contortionism, singing, aerial acrobatics, clowning and more.
Full Cast Set for CAESAR'S CIRCUS Starring Frank Ferrante at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

“Caesar’s Circus,” an all-new show starring one of Chicago’s most beloved performers, Frank Ferrante, revealed its full cast at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.
SIX Celebrates Third Anniversary on Broadway With Special Events

SIX, the Tony Award®-winning new musical by Tony Award®-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will celebrate three years on Broadway this October with anniversary festivities continuing the entire month! Learn more about the upcoming events here!
Broadway's SIX Will Offer $35 Student Rush Tickets

SIX, the Tony Award-winning new musical by Tony Award-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, is celebrating its third anniversary on Broadway by offering a student rush ticket. Find out how to get discounted tickets for students.
Feature: BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup " Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2024

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with a few top picks for jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including Cheyenne Jackson's Signs of Life, musical comedy and John Cameron Mitchell
How Often Do Broadway Writing Teams Share Credits?

This time, the reader question was: How often do Broadway writing teams share credits for both music and lyrics? 
THE WIZ National Tour On Sale At The Bushnell September 27

The producers of the hit Broadway musical revival of The Wiz has announced that tickets for the limited engagement at The Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut will go on sale Friday, September 27 at 10 AM.
Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano Come to Birdland Theater in September

Birdland Theater will present the return of pianist and singer Eric Comstock and vocalist Barbara Fasano, for three Tuesdays next month, September 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30 PM.
Interview: Crystal Starr's Singing for FREEDOM AT THE MOULIN ROUGE: A LAS VEGAS CIVIL RIGHTS STORY

Following a very successful production of Plenty of Heart, Plenty of Hope at The Wallis, MUSE/IQUE is presenting Freedom at The Moulin Rouge: A Las Vegas Civil Rights Story at The Huntington August 27th and 28th, and at the Skirball Cultural Center September 4th and 5th. MUSE/IQUE’s artistic director Rachael Worby will direct guest vocalists: Kenton Chen, LaVance Colley, Ashley Faatoalia, Jabu Graybeal and Crystal Starr. Crystal found some time to answer a few of my queries.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Lena Horne been in?

Lena Horne has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Lena Horne been in?

Lena Horne has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Lena Horne been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Special Citation (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Special Tony Award (Tony Awards) for The Lady and Her Music and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jamaica.

What awards has Lena Horne won?

Lena Horne won the Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. She received a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music and also received a Special Tony Award from the Tony Awards for The Lady and Her Music.

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Videos