Dorothy Dandridge died on September 8, 1965, at only 42 years old.
She was found dead in her apartment from an accidental overdose of antidepressants. Her death marked the tragic end of a pioneering career that broke racial barriers in Hollywood. Born in 1922 in Cleveland, Dorothy began performing as a child with her sister in a group called the Wonder Children. She moved to Hollywood and worked as a nightclub singer before breaking into films.
In 1954, she starred in “Carmen Jones” and became the first African American woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Despite her talent and beauty, Dorothy faced terrible racism in Hollywood. She was often not allowed to use the same facilities as white actors. Hotels where she performed sometimes drained their pools after she swam in them. She was offered mostly stereotypical roles as maids or tragic mixed-race women.
Dorothy’s personal life was also difficult. She had a disabled daughter and went through two failed marriages. Financial troubles and depression plagued her final years. At the time of her death, she had declared bankruptcy and was planning a comeback. Her legacy lived on – she paved the way for future Black actresses in Hollywood.