Sidney Poitier was born on Feb. 20, 1927 in Miami, but was a native of the Bahamas. He began his movie career in the late 1940s and during the 1950s was in 13 films. He received his first leading role Oscar nomination during the '50s for the 1958 film, "The Defiant Ones."
He went on to win the best actor award in 1963 for his role in "Lilies of the Field," becoming the first African American to do so. He is still viewed today as one of the groundbreakers for African Americans in the movies.
Dorothy Dandridge was an actress and singer born in Cleveland on Nov. 9, 1922. Her acting career began in the 1930s with an uncredited role in "A Day at the Races," alongside the Marx Brothers. The 1950s saw Dandridge appear in eight movies and enjoy her greatest success, with an Oscar nomination for best actress in the 1954 film "Carmen Jones."
She also received a Golden Globe nomination for her leading role in the 1959 film "Porgy and Bess." Her acting career ended in the early 1960s. Her unfortunate death on Sept. 8, 1965 was the result of barbiturate poisoning.
Actress and writer Ruby Dee was born in Cleveland on Oct. 27, 1924. Her first acting role came in the 1946 musical "That Man of Mine." During the '50s, she had roles in eight films including musicals and sports biographies. These movie roles did not bring her much acclaim, but a turn to television acting finally gained her recognition, with Emmy nominations from the early '60s onwards.
As of December 2010, Dee continues to work in movies and television, and finally received notice for her movie acting with a best supporting actress Oscar nomination for the film "American Gangster."
Pearl Bailey was an actress, singer and songwriter who was born in Newport News, Virginia, on March 29, 1918. Her movie career began in 1948 with a role in the film "Isn't It Romantic?"
During the 1950s, she was in four movies, acting alongside fellow African-American stars Dorothy Dandridge and Sidney Poitier. These roles did not produce any acting nominations, but a later career in television brought a daytime Emmy in 1982. Bailey continued to work in film and television until 1989, before her death on Aug. 17, 1990.