Harry Belafonte, the singer, actor and civil rights activist who broke down racial barriers, has died aged 96.
The US president said Belafonte was a “groundbreaking American who used his talent and voice to help redeem the soul of our nation”.
“Harry Belafonte’s accomplishments are legendary and his legacy of outspoken advocacy, compassion, and respect for dignity will endure forever,” Biden said on Twitter.
The US news anchor Christiane Amanpour tweeted that he “inspired generations around the whole world in the struggle for non-violent resistance justice and change.
He returned to New York for high school but struggled with dyslexia and dropped out in his early teens.
Belafonte was married three times, first to Marguerite Byrd, from 1948 to 1957, with whom he had two daughters, activist Adrienne and actor Shari.
He had two further children with his second wife, Julie Robinson: actor Gina and music producer David. »