Dorothy Dandridge

Dandridge in screenshot from trailer for ”The Decks Ran Red,” 1958

Birth Name: Dorothy Jean Dandridge

Date of Birth: November 9, 1922

Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Death: September 8, 1965

Place of Death: West Hollywood, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American, some English

Dorothy Dandridge was an American actress, singer, and dancer. She was known for her films Carmen Jones, Tamango, Porgy and Bess, and many more. She was one of the first black actresses to be a star in Hollywood.

Her father, Cyril H. Dandridge, was a minister and cabinetmaker, born in Ohio. Her mother, Ruby Dandridge (born Ruby Jean Butler), born in Wichita, Kansas, was an actress from 1900 until the 1950s. Dorothy’s parents were both black, and she also had some English ancestry. Dorothy’s mother’s family was from North Carolina.

Dorothy was the sister of actress, dancer, and singer Vivian Dandridge. She had a daughter with her former husband, dancer and entertainer Harold Nicholas, of the Nicholas Brothers.

In her autobiography, Everything and Nothing: The Dorothy Dandridge Tragedy, 1970, co-written with Earl Conrad, Dorothy stated that her mother had Jamaican, Mexican, and Native American ancestry. It appears that these statements were inaccurate.

Dorothy’s paternal grandfather was James Henry Dandridge (the son of Albert Dandridge and Edwina/Edmonia Warren). James was born in Canada.

Dorothy’s paternal grandmother was Florence Jessie Locke (the daughter of John/Joshua Locke and Ellen/Elnora Johnson). Florence was born in Canada. John was born in England. Ellen was born in Kentucky.

Dorothy’s maternal grandfather was named George Frank Butler.

Dorothy’s maternal grandmother was named Nellie Simmons/Simon.

Source: Genealogy of Dorothy Dandridge – https://www.wikitree.com

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