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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

Lena Horne: "The Lady and Her Music"
[Broadway]
Unknown, 1981
Performer
Tony and Lena Sing
[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1974
Performer
Nine O'Clock Revue
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1961
Performer
Jamaica
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Savannah
Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1939
[Broadway]
1939
Performer
Dance With Your Gods
[Broadway]
1934
A Quadronne Girl
Pal Joey
[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

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News


25 Best Restaurants in the Theatre District Photo
25 Best Restaurants in the Theatre District
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 13, 2025

Who knows better about where to eat in the theatre district than the people who hang out the most in the theatre district? We've asked the experts- BroadwayWorld readers/avid theatregoers to weigh in on which restaurants are their favorites to grab a bite before or after a Broadway show. The results are in...
SIX The Musical Reveals New International and UK Touring Cast Photo
SIX The Musical Reveals New International and UK Touring Cast
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2025

The multi award-winning musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, has announced a new cast for the UK & International tour. Learn more about the new cast here!
Nicole Henry, Jim Caruso and More to Perform at Birdland in April Photo
Nicole Henry, Jim Caruso and More to Perform at Birdland in April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater will present a full slate of nightly performances all April long. See the full lineup, including Nicole Henry and more, and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: SIX Welcomes New Cast and Releases New Block of Tickets Photo
Photos: SIX Welcomes New Cast and Releases New Block of Tickets
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2025

SIX on Broadway has released a new block of tickets, now available through November 23, 2025. The musical is currently running on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre. Plus, all new photos have been released of the new cast.
THE WIZ Tickets on Sale At Broadway Dallas on March 28 Photo
THE WIZ Tickets on Sale At Broadway Dallas on March 28
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 25, 2025

Tickets for the Dallas, Texas engagement of THE WIZ will go on sale Friday, March 28 for 16 performances from September 9-21 at the Music Hall at Fair Park as part of the 2024/2025 Broadway series presented by Broadway Dallas.
Interview: Waltham Native Krystal Hernandez Makes Broadway Debut After Open Call Audi Photo
Interview: Waltham Native Krystal Hernandez Makes Broadway Debut After Open Call Audition
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 15, 2025

Waltham native Krystal Hernandez made her Broadway debut on February 19, taking over the coveted role of Anna of Cleves, one of the wives of Henry VIII, in the New York production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy “SIX,” now at the Lena Horne Theatre.
THE WIZ Movie Joining The Criterion Collection in June Photo
THE WIZ Movie Joining The Criterion Collection in June
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 14, 2025

The Criterion Collection has revealed the June 2025 lineup of Blu-ray titles, which includes the 1978 musical film adaptation of The Wiz, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, and Lena Horne.
Interview: Celia Berk Spotlights Her New EP in FOR THE RECORD at 54 Below Photo
Interview: Celia Berk Spotlights Her New EP in FOR THE RECORD at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 27, 2025

Award-winning singer and recording artist Celia Berk’s Four Seasons of Songs launches on February 28 with a four-song EP titled, Spring. In May at 54 Below, she'll share songs from her new albums and revisit some of her most popular recordings.
Interview: Rising Star Vocalist Ella Mae Dixon on Her 54 Below Debut Show Photo
Interview: Rising Star Vocalist Ella Mae Dixon on Her 54 Below Debut Show
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 21, 2025

On Friday 3/7, join Ella Mae Dixon, one of NYC's most captivating rising star vocalists, for an evening of timeless music. Backed by a lineup of veteran musicians, Ella Mae’s 54 Below debut promises to surprise, delight, and captivate.
SIX Comes to Popejoy Hall in March Photo
SIX Comes to Popejoy Hall in March
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

The Tony Award-Winning new musical phenomenon SIX by Tony Award-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss arrives for 8 performances at Popejoy Hall in March. Learn more here!
SIX Welcomes New Queens to Broadway Tonight Photo
SIX Welcomes New Queens to Broadway Tonight
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

The Tony Award-winning musical SIX by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will welcome new Queens to Broadway's Lena Horne Theatre. Learn more about the new cast of SIX here!
Video: The Queens of SIX Perform at BroadwayCon Photo
Video: The Queens of SIX Perform at BroadwayCon
by Joey Mervis - Feb 17, 2025

A new court of queens is getting ready to take over at Six on Broadway. Before the big switch up, watch as Jana Larell Glover, Storm Lever, Audrey Matalon, Olivia Donalson, Sierra Fermin and Jessie Davidson sing the title number at BroadwayCon!
Cause for Celebration and Calls for Change: The Museum of Broadway's Black Storytelle Photo
Cause for Celebration and Calls for Change: The Museum of Broadway's Black Storytellers Exhibit
by Caitlin Hornik - Feb 12, 2025

The energy of attendees walking through the Museum of Broadway's new limited-time exhibit centered around Black storytellers was palpable during its February 3rd opening night. Crafting Excellence: Black Storytellers of Broadway.
Tickets on Sale This Week For THE WIZ in Memphis Photo
Tickets on Sale This Week For THE WIZ in Memphis
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2025

Tickets for the Memphis engagement of The Wiz will go on sale Wednesday, February 12 at 10am for 8 performances July 22-27. Learn more about the show here!
Syndee Winters Brings Lena Horne's Legacy To Life in Concert Photo
Syndee Winters Brings Lena Horne's Legacy To Life in Concert
by Stephi Wild - Feb 10, 2025

Broadway performer Syndee Winters will bring the legendary Lena Horne to life in a captivating concert experience, 'Lessons From A Lady: Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne.'
Exclusive: SIX Star Kelsie Watts Sings WICKED, CATS & More Around the House Before Br Photo
Exclusive: SIX Star Kelsie Watts Sings WICKED, CATS & More Around the House Before Broadway Debut
by Michael Major - Feb 7, 2025

Kelsie Watts' Broadway debut has been a longtime coming. Watch a video of The Voice alum performing songs from Wicked, Cats, The Bodyguard, and Dreamgirls before she makes her Broadway debut as Jane Seymour in SIX.
Watch: New Trailer for SIX THE MUSICAL LIVE! Photo
Watch: New Trailer for SIX THE MUSICAL LIVE!
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 6, 2025

Don't miss the critically acclaimed SIX THE MUSICAL Live on the big screen in UK cinemas from April 6. Watch the newly released trailer and prepare for a musical experience like no other.
THE WIZ National Tour to Make Bass Hall Debut in July Photo
THE WIZ National Tour to Make Bass Hall Debut in July
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2025

Tickets for THE WIZ Bass Performance Hall,will go on sale Friday, February 7 at 10am. The Wiz is a stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. Learn more!
THE WIZ North American Tour is Coming to The Hobby Center This Spring Photo
THE WIZ North American Tour is Coming to The Hobby Center This Spring
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 28, 2025

The Wiz National Tour is coming to the Hobby Center in the spring. The principal cast includes Dana Cimone, making her national tour debut, as Dorothy,  Alan Mingo Jr. Learn more about the tour dates and see how to purchase tickets.
TDF to Offer Free Memberships to Graduating Seniors From NYC Schools Photo
TDF to Offer Free Memberships to Graduating Seniors From NYC Schools
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 17, 2025

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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 has received several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. She also earned a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, as well as a Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards for The Lady and Her Music.

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