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It’s no secret that racism and bias ran rampant in the film industry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Film producers and casting agents seldom chose Black actors for roles that were not rooted in some damaging stereotype. Stars such as Diahann Carroll, Dorothy Dandridge, and Lena Horne are just a few of the many bombshells who, against all odds, successfully forged a path for other women of color who would come after them. They were also pioneers who fought to close the income gap between Black and White actors, and demanded more respectable roles for Black actors in major motion pictures.

Today’s starlets stand on the shoulders of legendary icons like Nichelle Nichols, who inspired little girls and women alike when she was featured on Star Trek: The Original Series. Her portrayal of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura was particularly groundbreaking because it was one of the first times a Black actress was featured on a major television series. Her presence on the screen allowed many others to dream and aspire to Hollywood stardom. That’s the power of representation.

Despite the blond hair, blue-eyed standard of beauty that dominated mainstream culture, these Black women strutted through in all of their glory, indulged in some good trouble, and created space for other Black women to follow in their footsteps. Thanks to their efforts and unabashed pursuit of success, we now have icons like Viola Davis, Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, and many more actresses who are coming up after them.

It’s why we have to give these legendary Black beauties their flowers. We will love and celebrate for many years to come.

Pearl Bailey

Pearl Bailey Appearing On 'The Pearl Bailey Show'

Source: Walt Disney Television Photo Archives / Getty

The gorgeous and dynamic Bailey took Broadway by storm after making her debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She was a tall and buxom beauty with a rich, sultry voice that could easily lull you to sleep. In 1968 she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-Black production of Hello, Dolly! 

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker Performs Final Concert 'Josephine' at Bobino Theater

Source: Elisabeth Andanson / Getty

Born Freda Josephine McDonald, the iconic dancer and performer first began to make a name for herself in vaudeville theater, and then became an instrumental figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Baker famously refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States which eventually led to the integration of many performance venues around the country (most notably in Las Vegas). Aside from her undeniable talent and effervescent personality, Baker was also considered to be a stunning beauty. Ernest Hemingway reportedly called her “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw.” Her famous act in the 1920s, “Danse Sauvage,” in which she danced topless in a banana skirt, became a cultural reference point for decades to come.

 

Diahann Carroll

Allen Jay Lerner Gala

Source: Ron Galella / Getty

The Bronx-born actress was beauty personified. In the 1950s she captivated audiences in Broadway shows like Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess. Then in 1968 she was cast as the lead in the TV series Julia, making her the first Black actress to star in a television series — and not in a domestic role. Her talent was astounding, and so was her enviably high cheekbones. Carroll also wasn’t afraid to test the limits when it came to makeup, donning winged eyeliner and bold eye shadows that only complemented her natural features.

 

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge In 'Carmen Jones'

Source: Archive Photos / Getty

The stunning Dandridge began her career as one half of the Dandridge Sisters, costarring with sister Vivian. She continued performing on stage and in films from the 1940s through the ’60s. Dandridge most notably became the first woman of color to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Carmen Jones in 1954. Her life and legacy were portrayed by Halle Berry in the made-for-cable biopic Introducing Dorothy Dandridge in 1999.

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Lena Horne

Actress and Singer Lena Horne

Source: Hulton Deutsch / Getty

The sultry singer and actress broke barriers for Black women in entertainment, and is remembered as a beauty icon. Horne opened up about the criticism she received for being too Black for White people and yet too light for Black folks. She rose to prominence during WWII, becoming the object of Black servicemen’s affection. “The whole thing that made me a star was the war,” Ms. Horne said in 1990, according to The New York Times. “Of course the Black guys couldn’t put Betty Grable’s picture in their footlockers. But they could put mine.” After a successful run with MGM Studios from the 1940s to the ’50s, Horne became a staple on several TV variety shows. Today, she is revered for her effortless style and classy demeanor.

 

Eartha Kitt

Singer Eartha Kitt

Source: Bettmann / Getty

With her wide smile and cat-like eyes, the petite singer, actress, dancer, and activist was a face that was hard to forget. Even more difficult to forget was her bold and fiery personality. The dynamic Kitt spoke four languages (English, Dutch, French and German) in her distinctive voice, and was an outspoken proponent of civil rights. Her 1953 rendition of the holiday novelty song “Santa Baby” is considered by many to be a classic.

 

Nichelle Nichols

Star Trek

Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty

This Hollywood beauty is best known for her portrayal of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, which was produced from September 1966 to December 1967, and its film sequels. The gorgeous actress made history as one of the first Black women featured in a major television series. Though she was tempted to leave the show in order to pursue a career on Broadway, she was reportedly persuaded by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to stick it out so that Black women and children could remain inspired.

Hazel Scott

Hazel Scott Singing at Mulzac Dinner

Source: Joe Schwartz Photo Archive / Getty

Nicknamed “Darling of Café Society,” Scott became the first Black American woman to host her own TV show when The Hazel Scott Show debuted in 1950. She was as fearless as she was beautiful. Like Josephine Baker, the jazz pianist and actor was one of the first Black performers who refused to play in front of segregated audiences. She was also a pioneer for Black actresses in Hollywood, demanding equal pay and proper credits in films.

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8 Legendary Black Hollywood Beauties Who Broke The Mold  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com