From L: Jamie Lee Curtis; Harry Belafonte; Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.Photo: Screen Archives/Getty, Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty, Screen Archives/Getty
Jamie Lee Curtisis reflecting on the cultural and social impact ofHarry Belafonte.
Amid the news of the Caribbean-music legend’sdeath on Tuesday at age 96, Jamie shareda 1953Ebonymagazine coverthat featured Belafonte posing with her parents, the lateJanet LeighandTony Curtis.
It was the first time a Black person was pictured with two White people on a U.S. magazine cover, according to theOscarwinner, citingBlack Facts.
“Artists uniting to use their art form to make transformational change in the world through music and movies and books, and poetry and paintings and photography and and and is one of the great benefits to living a public life,” began Jamie, 64, in her caption.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
RELATED GALLERY:Harry Belafonte’s Life in Photos
She went on to say that Belafonte “exemplified this and utilized every aspect of his immeasurable talent, applying it specifically to the plight of other human beings and their civil rights.”
“I am happy that my parents both participated in a little of that work, and that they combined their talents for the inauguration ofPresident Kennedyin 1961 and that they broke at least one barrier/restriction when they appeared together for the first time on a magazine cover,” Curtis continued.
“Rest in great POWER Mr. Bellafonte [sic],” she concluded.
RELATED VIDEO: Harry Belafonte, Musician and Activist Who Brought Calypso Music to the World, Dead at 96
In addition to his music successes, Belafonte also had an impactful screen career, winning anEmmyin 1960 for outstanding performance in a variety or musical program forThe Revlon Revue: Tonight With Belafonte.The honor made him the first Black person to win an Emmy, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. It was around that time that Belafonte’s popularity soared, withLookmagazine declaring him “one of the most acclaimed entertainers in America today, [and] the first Negro matinée idol in our entertainment history,” according toThe New Yorker.
Last year, the “Jump in the Line” performer was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein the Early Influence category. He was the oldest living person to join the organization.
In one of his final acts of charity, Belafonte celebrated his 94th birthday in March 2021 with a star-studded virtual party that raised money forThe Gathering for Justice, a social-justice organization he founded in 2005.
source: people.com
