Harry Belafonte was a world-class entertainer, a beacon of charisma on stage and screen, and an artist who refused to separate his art from his activism. Here are eight things to know about him.
| Born | Died | Hit Songs | Popular Movies |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, 1927 (New York City, New York) | April 25, 2023 (New York City, New York) | “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” “Jamaica Farewell” “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” “A Hole in the Bucket” “Jump in the Line (Shake, Señora)” “Matilda” “Turn the World Around” | Carmen Jones (1954) Island in the Sun (1957) Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) The Angel Levine (1970) Buck and the Preacher (1972) Uptown Saturday Night (1974) Kansas City (1996) BlacKkKlansman (2018) |
1. Belafonte wasn’t his birth name.
Harry Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, New York, on March 1, 1927. His parents were both from Jamaica (though his father is often said to have been born in Martinique), where Belafonte spent some of his childhood. While in New York, his mother’s work visa expired, and Belafonte recalled the “underground life” they lived—moving frequently, avoiding photos, etc.—in order to evade immigration officials.
“More than once, when my mother feared the jig might be up, she changed her name and bought forged papers,” he wrote in My Song: A Memoir of Art, Race, and Defiance. Bellanfanti became Belanfonte, and then, after another variation or two, Belafonte.”
2. He served in the Navy during World War II.
School frustrated Belafonte, which he later attributed to what he suspected was undiagnosed dyslexia. He dropped out halfway through ninth grade and, in 1944, joined the Navy, which was still segregated at the time. Belafonte spent about a year and a half loading munitions onto ships, mainly in New Jersey, and was discharged in 1945.
Back in New York, Belafonte was admitted to the New School’s Dramatic Workshop—his tuition covered by the G.I. Bill—but only after appealing directly to program founder Erwin Piscator and the rest of the board to overlook his lack of a high school diploma. His classmates included Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis, Elaine Stritch, Bea Arthur, and Walter Matthau.
3. He and Sidney Poitier used to share a single ticket at plays.
Belafonte and Sidney Poitier met while working and studying at Harlem’s American Negro Theatre when they were both 20 years old. To save money, they’d split the price of one ticket to local plays. “You kept the stub,” Belafonte told NPR in 2011. “You walked in and one of us saw the first half. We’d give each other an update about what we saw, and the lucky one got to see the second half. It was called ‘sharing the burden and the joy.’”
The two went on to co-star in 1972’s Buck and the Preacher and 1974’s Uptown Saturday Night—both directed by Poitier—and remained close friends until Poitier’s death in January 2022 at age 94. (Belafonte passed away in April 2023 at 96.)
4. Calypso was the first record by a solo artist to sell 1 million copies in a year.
In 1956, Belafonte released his third studio LP, Calypso, featuring “Day-O” (a.k.a. “The Banana Boat Song”), “Jamaica Farewell,” “Brown Skin Girl,” and other iconic tunes. It was an immediate success, topping Billboard’s pop album chart for a total of 31 weeks. Calypso is widely credited with popularizing calypso music around the world and also holds the distinction of being the first LP by a solo artist to sell 1 million copies in a year [PDF].
5. He helped organize the 1963 March on Washington.
Belafonte was a lifelong activist, a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr.’s, and one of the most influential members of the civil rights movement. It was Belafonte who spearheaded the charge to make sure Hollywood showed up for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
“We use celebrity to the advantage of everything. Why not to the advantage of those who need to be liberated?” he told Smithsonian Magazine in 2013. “My job was to convince icons in the arts that they needed to have a presence in Washington on that day. Those that wanted to sit on the platform could do that, but we should be in among the citizens—the ordinary citizens—of the day. Somebody should just turn around and there was Paul Newman.”
Belafonte enlisted Marlon Brando to “chair the leading delegation from California,” and together they gathered a star-studded contingent—including Newman, Lena Horne, Rita Moreno, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Ruby Dee, Burt Lancaster, Sidney Poitier, James Garner, Charlton Heston, Sammy Davis Jr., Gregory Peck, Joanne Woodward, and Nina Simone—to join some 250,000 other people in peaceful protest on August 28.
6. He loved the Muppets.
Belafonte was the guest star on season 3, episode 14 of The Muppet Show, which premiered in 1979. “That was my favorite moment ever, in the history of my life,” he told Pitchfork in 2018. “I just loved the Muppets. I thought it was a very positive force in world culture.”
In addition to singing “Day-O” with Fozzie Bear and having a drum battle against Animal, Belafonte closed out the episode with “Turn the World Around,” the title track from his 1977 album. The number was inspired by a story he’d heard from a storyteller in Guinea, and Belafonte performed it accompanied by custom Muppets made to resemble traditional African masks. When Jim Henson died in 1990, Belafonte sang the song at his memorial service.
7. Beetlejuice earned him a new contingent of young fans.
In the mid-1980s, producer David Geffen asked Belafonte for his permission to feature the original 1956 version of “Day-O” in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988). Belafonte “liked the idea” of the story and liked Geffen, too, as he told Pitchfork, so he said yes—and even filmed a music video to accompany the movie. “Day-O” wasn’t Belafonte’s only song to make the final cut: “Sweetheart from Venezuela” and “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” can be heard toward the beginning, and “Jump in the Line (Shake, Señora)” has a very memorable moment at the end.
The success of Beetlejuice popularized Belafonte among a new demographic: children. “Everywhere I went, for about a year, I had kids all over me: ‘Oh! The guy from Beetlejuice!’” he said. “Wiping their hands full of tomato ketchup and mustard on my clothes. I never worked for such a young audience. And I enjoyed the whole excursion.”
8. He’s an EGOT winner … sort of.
In 1960, Belafonte became the first Black Emmy winner when he took home the statue for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series; he’d headlined a special episode of The Revlon Revue that celebrated the music of Black America. The following year, he won his first Grammy: Best Folk Performance for “Swing Dat Hammer.”
At that point, he already had a Tony to his name—1954’s Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in John Murray Anderson’s Almanac—which left him one Oscar away from EGOT’ing. Though he was never nominated for one, The Academy did honor him with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2014. Since that isn’t a competitive award, not everyone considers Belafonte a true EGOT winner, but at least he’s in good company: Quincy Jones also has at least one Emmy, Grammy, and Tony, plus the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
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50 Simple DIY Halloween Costumes For Last-Minute Planners
Looking for a simple, classic Halloween costume you can create at home with relatively little effort? Look no further.
ByEden Gordon|Oct 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
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Halloween is approaching fast. Do you have your costume yet?
There’s always the option of going out and buying a whole new costume, and unless you really know your way around a sewing kit, some looks are more likely than others to require that step. But there are countless amazing Halloween costumes that are pretty easy to create all by yourself, mostly using things you already have at home.
Halloween costumes may have their roots in the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, a time when the veil between the land of the dead and the living was traditionally believed to grow thin. In order to blend in with wandering spirits, people would often wear animal skins, masks, bones, and other disguises.
Today, Halloween costumes have become immensely creative and varied, though some patterns do exist. Monstrous creatures such as vampires and aliens remain common across the U.S., as do characters from pop culture. Costumes can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish, and if you’re looking to pull together a costume mostly using just what you already have in your house, there are plenty of options. A little creativity and ingenuity go a very long way here.
Here are 50 Halloween DIY costume ideas perfect for anyone with scissors and a dream.
- Classic DIY Halloween Costumes
- Food DIY Halloween Costumes
- Punny and Funny Halloween Costumes
- Pop Culture DIY Halloween Costumes
- Spooky DIY Halloween Costumes
Classic DIY Halloween Costumes
Ghost
Have a spare sheet lying around? Cut out eye holes, pull it over your head, and you’re all set to haunt.
Tourist
Grab a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, a camera, and a paper map, and you’ll look just like a dad seeing Bermuda for the first time.
Black Cat
A black shirt, eyeliner whiskers, ears made with Velcro, and a tail made from fabric come together to create this classic Halloween getup.
Nerd
A button-down shirt, suspenders, and taped-together glasses will have you looking ready to ace the upcoming math test.
Burglar
Prepare to steal the prize for best Halloween costume with a black-and-white striped shirt, a beanie, and a ski mask. (A black hoodie and a bag slung over your shoulder will also suffice.)
Cowboy or Cowgirl
A plaid shirt, overalls, and a cowboy hat are pretty much all this costume needs. (Turn it into a scarecrow costume with some hay and straw-style makeup!)
Detective
All you need is a trench coat, a magnifying glass, and a notebook to look like you’re ready to solve any case that comes your way.
Superhero
There are plenty of pop culture superheroes to choose from, but you can create your own with leggings, a leotard, a piece of fabric for the cape, and your own unique logo.
‘80s Icon
Indulge your ‘80s nostalgia with a classic ‘80s Halloween costume, complete with a leotard over leggings, leg warmers, and a matching headband.
Pirate
An eyepatch is most of what you need to make this costume recognizable, but a bandana, a striped shirt, a DIY sword, and a stuffed parrot perched on your shoulder will complete this look.
Food DIY Halloween Costumes
Bunch of Grapes
Tape a bunch of purple or green balloons to an outfit and you’ll look just like this ancestor of wine.
Fried Egg
This costume can consist of a large egg-shaped blob cut from a piece of white cardboard or fabric, plus a yellow blob on top for the yolk, all attached to your shirt (or jacket, depending on the Halloween weather).
Milk Carton
A cardboard box painted white with the word “Milk” on it and a hole cut through it come together to turn you into a convincing milk carton. Feel free to add as many (or as few) details to the box as you’d like.
Pineapple
A yellow shirt plus a green crown made from paper or felt are all that’s required for this costume.
Popcorn
A cardboard box with red and white stripes painted on, with crumpled-up yellow paper on top make you look like the perfect movie theater snack.
Cosmic Brownie
You can look like this classic Little Debbie sweet treat with just a brown shirt with some colorful cotton balls taped or pinned onto it.
Strawberry
Look like this beloved berry by simply cutting out some seed-shaped bits from felt and attaching them to a red dress, and adding a green hat.
Tropical Drink
This one might require a trip to the corner store, but bear with us: dress up like a poolside cocktail with a pink dress, a parasol, a lemon-shaped headpiece, and a straw-shaped appendage attached to a headband!
Gumball Machine
Just grab some superglue and attach a bunch of colorful ping pong balls to a white shirt.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Glue some white yarn onto a red T-shirt, and pair it with meatballs made from balls wrapped in fabric, and you’ll be looking like this classic dinner dish in no time.
Punny and Funny Halloween Costumes
Cereal Killer
Attach some miniature cereal boxes to a shirt, and add a prop feknife and some fake blood. (To make it even simpler, carry around a bowl of cereal and a knife.)
Ceiling Fan
You’ll need a few pom-poms, plus a shirt with the message “Go Ceiling!” on it.
Identity Thief
Covered in a bunch of name tags with different names on them and voila.
A Formal Apology
A fancy dress and a banner reading “I’m sorry” complete this punny costume.
Copycat
Just add a stack of photocopies or a sign reading “CTRL+C” to your black cat costume.
Blessing in Disguise
Put a trench coat, sunglasses, and a fedora over a white dress complete with angel wings and a halo.
French Kiss
Pair a French-inspired striped shirt and beret with makeup done in the style of the band Kiss. (Croissants, French flags, and electric guitars optional.) Even simpler: drop the Kiss makeup and simply paint your lips bright red.
Chef’s Kiss
Dress up as this popular Gen Z slang term for Halloween with a white chef’s jacket stamped with lipstick kisses.
Freudian Slip
Wear a slip dress and write or attach Sigmund Freud-related words like “id” and “ego” to it, and you’ll have Freud himself rolling in his grave.
When Life Gives You Lemons
A trip to a grocery store is pretty much all you need for this one, which requires wearing a nametag that reads “life” and carrying a basket of lemons.
Pop Culture DIY Halloween Costumes
Wednesday Addams
A black dress, black stockings, braided pigtails, and a deadpan expression will turn you into a dead ringer for this classic Addams family member.
Dwight Schrute
Turn Halloween night into an episode of The Office with just a mustard button-down shirt, brown tie, glasses, and a large mug.
Barbie
Don a pink outfit, cute accessories, and bright makeup and you’ll be ready to embody this famous doll.
Indiana Jones
Get ready for intrepid Halloween adventures with a fedora, brown jacket, satchel, khakis, and a homemade whip. (Rope will do.)
Men in Black Agent
A black suit, white button-down, and sunglasses will have you ready to track alien activity.
Mary Poppins
A white blouse, dark skirt, red bow tie, and an umbrella will have you ready to offer spoonfuls of sugar to every trick-or-treater.
Joel Goodsen in Risky Business
A large button-down white shirt, neutral undergarments, dark sunglasses, white socks, and a candlestick are all you need; the classic dance moves are optional.
Bob Ross
A denim jacket, a curly wig, and a paint palette come together to create the perfect impression of this lovable TV artist.
Dolly Parton
The late, beloved Dolly Parton will definitely be one of the biggest costumes of 2026. Join the party with a blonde wig, a pink hat, cowboy boots, a guitar, and anything sparkly.
Marty McFly
The classic Back to the Future protagonist is an easy one to replicate if you have a skateboard (or hoverboard) on hand; just pull out a puffer vest over a jean jacket and add jeans.
Spooky DIY Halloween Costumes
Vampire
Dark clothes, a homemade cape made from a sheet, pale makeup, and homemade fangs will have you looking like Dracula (or Edward Cullen, depending on your taste).
Mummy
Drape some strips of white fabric over neutral clothes.
Fortune Teller
Layered clothes, chunky jewelry, and homemade tarot cards complete this look.
Grim Reaper
Pair a black robe with a homemade scythe made from wood and cardboard.
Swamp Monster
Dark green and blue clothes, plus fake moss and leaves, and green makeup, will have you looking ready to crawl out of a swamp.
Haunted Doll
Vintage dress, pigtails, pale makeup with rosy cheeks and a red lip, and painted-on cracks will ensure that you terrify anyone with a fear of dolls.
Devil
This one’s an instantly recognizable classic and requires just an all-red outfit, plus homemade red horns.
Zombie
Get ready to look very undead with old, torn-up clothes, pale makeup, extremely dark circles under your eyes, and some bloodstains made from corn syrup and red food dye.
Mad Scientist
A lab coat, lab glasses, some wildly teased hair, and a few jars filled with colorful water come together for this zany look.
Witch
It doesn’t get more classically Halloween than this costume, which comes together with just a black dress, a broom, and of course, a pointy hat.