Dorothy Dandridge

Janet Jackson considers Dorothy to be "America's first Black Sex Symbol".

Pop icon Janet Jackson cites Dandridge as her idol and was in the running to play the part played by Halle Berry.

She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6719 Hollywood Boulevard.

She is the daughter of Ruby Dandridge.

Her favorite food was chitterlings and greens, which she ate only once a week.

Halle Berry, who portrayed "Dorothy" in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, became the first African-American to win "Best Actress" at the Academy Awards.

She was first choice for the role of Cleopatra but ultimately the role went to Elizabeth Taylor.

She was pursued for the role of Tuptim in "The King & I", but turned it down on the advice of Otto Preminger, who advised her not to accept a role in which she was not the star. Rita Moreno was then cast in the role.

Madame Sul-Te-Wan was not Dorothy's real life grandmother as is often rumored. It is suggested that this rumor started because she played her grandmother in the film "Carmen Jones".

Her daughter, Harolynn, was born with a brain injury.

She won a Golden Globe for her performance in "Porgy and Bess".

Harry Belafonte urged her to turn down the role in "Porgy and Bess". The film was highly unpopular with blacks.

She was thought to have suffered from bipolar disorder.

Dorothy would often perform with her sister, Vivian, as "The Dandridge Sisters".

She started her acting career at the age of 13.

Dorothy has a great-grand niece, who goes by "Fantasy", whom bears an eerily striking resemblance to her.

She is the sister of Vivian Dandridge.

She loved soul food.

Halle Berry is noted for her striking resemblance to Dorothy.

Her last marriage was to Jack Denison, whom left her in great debt.

She auditioned for the lead role in "Carmen Jones" in full costume and character.

Lena Horne often referred to Dorothy as "...our Marilyn Monroe".

She once dated actor Peter Lawford.

Dorothy was considered for the role of Billie Holday in a movie.

Otto told Dorothy she wasn't right for the lead role in "Carmen Jones".

She was very close friends with Harry Belafonte.

She was the first black woman to perform at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

Dorothy's best friend was Geri Branton.

Dorothy's desire to go solo is the reason she and her sister split up as a group.

Dorothy and Otto were having an affair, while he was still married.

She once dated music composer Phil Moore.

Many speculate that her death was a suicide.

She once dated Otto Preminger.

Dorothy was the first African-American actress to be Oscar-nominated for "Best Actress in a Leading Role."

She is portrayed by Halle Berry in her biographical film, "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge".

She was the first black woman to be on the cover of "Life" magazine.

She was thought to have suffered from manic depression.

When she died, she had only $2.14 in her bank account.

Her first marriage was to Harold Nicholas.

It was said that a hotel drained their swimming pool so Dorothy couldn't enjoy it.

She hated singing in nightclubs and cabaret.

She was good friends with Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner.

She started singing in her church's choir.

She suffered from near paralyzing stage fright whenever she had to perform.

She was the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award in the Best Actress category and the third African American to receive a nomination in any category overall.