How Did This Black Actress Mysteriously Die, Dorothy Dandridge - Story You Should Know

[@thatshot8]

She wasn’t the black Marilyn Monroe…. she was Dorothy Dandridge, her own entity. You’re basically doing what “they” did.

[@DEpson-vy9wf]

I came here to say the same thing. She's THEE Dorothy Dandridge. Y'all (Comedy Hype) better recognize!

[@LuvleeLaydeeOV]

🎯🎯🎯

[@1945iwo]

Marilyn Monroe was the white version of Dorthy Dandridge

[@catherineharris4746]

FACTS!👍👍👍

[@l0rdapophis]

@@1945iwo you better say it louder 💯

[@coffy1982]

She is Dorothy Dandridge period, not the Black Marilyn Monroe.... put some #respect on her name please!

[@airmaxwell]

Damn Right! 💪🏽

[@coffy1982]

@@airmaxwell Was that clickbait? Because I find it lackluster and rather disrespectful...

[@MPPG663]

Exactly...*sigh* There are still to many blk people who share art, liturature, film, and the like with the white gaze at the forefront of their expression. I don't think it's intentional, but it is obvious. No one who truly did their research and had the celebration of a blk icon with blk people in mind would say such a thing and believe it was acceptable.

[@airmaxwell]

@@coffy1982 not so much clickbait but lack of awareness

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Thank you 🙌🏽

[@Model_Roe]

Her story was so tragic!!!!!! I'm a huge Dorothy fan fun fact she was good friends with Marilyn Monroe and Marilyn actually imitated a lot of Dorothy's mannerisms to create her own persona

[@quintonguidryb1-fba]

: What part of Black Culture has the greater white society not STOLEN/COPIED, smh !? ✊ B1 !

[@kingmike3564]

She was amazing and so beautiful. I wish she was bigger.

[@Just_My_Reviews]

Not surprised

[@kayshawnsimmons6822]

Yup

[@Lkmsundastood]

I was just about to say this too.

[@lailati4698]

I was assigned to do a report on her life 15+ years ago .... I fell in love with this lady right then.. so misunderstood ..She went through a lot emotionally. 🙏🏽

[@KingVoss]

Y’all didn’t have to give her a white comparison just call her by her name all true blacks know about Dorothy 😤

[@Model_Roe]

Agree! Because she was Marilyn before she was Marilyn it's on record Marilyn copied a lot of Dorothy's mannerisms to create her own persona

[@quintonguidryb1-fba]

: Preach, ✊ B1

[@KingVoss]

@@Model_Roe funny they changed the title

[@Model_Roe]

@@KingVoss exactly the disrespect the black Marilyn Monroe? They didn't do any of their research and if they would have found out that Marilyn Monroe based on her persona off of Dorothy and they were good friends in real life

[@KingVoss]

@@Model_Roe big fax 📠

[@deloreswalker1495]

OMG how DISRESPECTFUL!!!!! Please don't call her the Black Marilyn Monroe. She is a LEGEND on her OWN and don't need to be co-signed! TF????? Marilyn Monroe was a fan of HERS!!!!!

[@IVant2BAlone]

I was watching an interview with Dorothy the other day, and I started wondering if I was imaging things when I picked up a hint of Marilyn Monroe in Dorothy's delivery and mannerisms. I thought perhaps Dorothy was imitating Marilyn, but I found out it was the other way around.

[@deloreswalker1495]

@@IVant2BAlone Exactly. I don't own any Marilyn Monroe T-shirts, but I have several of Dorothy's T-Shirts.

[@gerry0072]

Every woman in entertainment has a comparison so shut it 🙄🤫

[@deloreswalker1495]

@gerry0072 shut what? This is a comment section. I can comment. Eff you!

[@Lord2wiceAsReal]

Hate how people compare her to Marilyn Monroe

[@SatoshiHODL]

Black Norma Jean? Nah... The one and only Dorothy Dandridge!

[@cattifyed]

She's not a different color of anybody else. Dorothy was her own person and she is amazing

[@DearMsFabulous]

Hattie McDaniel was first black woman to win best supporting actress in 1939 for Gone With The Wind. Dorothy didn't win but got the nomination. Still so few black women that get nominated for an Oscar. They were trailblazers. But we have a long way to go in this country. Great story. If she left notes about her demise, then it seems she committed suicide.

[@foxyloxy6670]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. We need to learn as much as possible. 🙏🏾

[@TM1Forever]

Yes, Dorthy’s was the first Black woman to be nominated for Best Actress.

[@LJ11892]

She wrote the suicide note months before

[@mlynettepinky595]

It's 2022 and Halle Berry is the last Black actress to win a Oscar for best actress. It's been 20 years since a Black actress won a Oscar for best actress.😒 Hollywood and the Oscars play this game every few years, when people call them out for White washing. They will nominate a lot of people of color and they don't win or 1 or 2 might win Then the following year, they will have no Blacks or one or 2 nominated. Aunjanue Ellis is well over due, she is a good actress, She did a good job in the movie about the Clark Sisters, she played their mom. She should won a Emmy. This year 2 Black actors and 2 Black actress Denzel Washington for Macbeth, which I hated reading Shakespeare in school. Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis for King Richard Ariana DeBose for West side story, don't know anyone who say the new version people.com/movies/halle-berry-heartbroken-no-other-black-women-won-best-actress-since-her/

[@duyeasmith2487]

Dorothy Dandridge was the first African American to be nominated as best actress for an Oscar. Hattie McDaniel won the Oscar as best supporting actress.

[@aaronholloway6060]

Beautiful tribute!! Thank you so much for this. 💗

[@vonwoods32]

Harold Lloyd Nicholas the father of her only child was in the five heartbeats movie! Also her daughter died in 2003 and it's hard to find any pictures of her daughter in the later years and not even a grave site. I have always loved and admired Dorothy Dandridge

[@pamela1318]

Because she died in a home they said she had down syndrome but today she's been classified as autistic. Probably nobody in the family came to visit her, it's very sad.

[@vonwoods32]

@@pamela1318 very sad indeed 😢

[@pamela1318]

@@vonwoods32 it is but I believe now both their souls is in heaven that's what parents are concerned about when they're no longer there I have seen my mother and my grandmother my family have seen stories on TV that when nobody's visiting you what happens to the special needs when they can't talk they can't take care of theirs and sad it just brings tears to your eyes because Dorothy said she was being interviewed and she says my daughter thinks I'm her friend no Dorothy she knew you were her mother she knew. I know for a fact that her daughter knew that was her mother And putting that sad crying picture up there brought tears to my eyes because Jesus is the healer of everything he's already healed us as with the stripes the wounds on his back and he sent his word Jesus is the word above every name you are healed and your parents writing about their children's healing today.

[@Cyndi72]

Those clear people in Hollywood knew she was more talented and beautiful than the current actresses at that time. They didn’t want want her to outshine them. That is why they held her back.

[@datswassup07]

I had no idea her story was so sad. It definitely sounds like she committed suicide. But what’s crazy is she and Halle Berry were born in the same city, same hospital, Halle resembled her and we owe her for bringing her story to the forefront. I’m just glad she’s gotten the respect she deserves.

[@drphot6050]

And they liked white women a bit too much

[@pamela1318]

@@drphot6050 you're attracted to what you're attracted to what's wrong with that.

[@nicoleruiz3714]

And they both love(d) white men and got screwed over by them

[@serenahenry5834]

I never believed she killed herself. She has recently broken either her leg of hip and I believe that a blood clot likely killer her. Yes there was a suicide note, but I always believed she kept that note to remind herself of how low she had gotten during a time when she was considering suicide. She was absolutely beautiful and such a talent.

[@1234pouvez]

There was no suicide note. The note actually said "In Case of MY Death, to whoever discovers it" According to her manager Earl Mills, she gave him the note with instructions of what to do in case of her death quite sometime before her death, leaving anything that she had to her Mother. It was considered a will. According to him, The week of her death they had just returned from Mexico, where Miss Dandridge signed a contract for two movies. She would have been paid one hundred thousand dollars for the two movies. There are pictures of them in Mexico with the producer. Fast forward, she had a small broken bone in her foot. He was to pick her up in the morning and take her to have a cast put on. She called him that morning and asked him to schedule a later appointment because she'd been up late talking to her mother and the lady who was to come and pack her wardrobe trunk for her upcoming singing engagement. When he came to pick her up she didn't answer the door. he had a key, but there was a chain on the door. He broke the chain and found her. The final lab report was a large amount of tofranil in her system . Her Death Certificate says Cause of Death Acute Drug Intoxication --InGestion of tofranil During this time there were no warning labels on pill bottles, as there are now. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, and Robert Walker. In addition to the movie contract, she was to open in New York the Friday of the same week at "Basin Street East. Career-wise, things could not have been better at that time. All this information is available to everyone, but people seem to prefer painting her as this tragic victim, with the mysterious death, and making a video about it.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

​@@1234pouvezWith all of this being said, we still don't know what killed her: accidental overdose, intentional overdose, murder, or death from a blood clot. So when you don't know, it is, in fact mysterious.

[@1234pouvez]

@@monilaninetynine3811 Again, The cause of death is plainly stated in her death certificate. Acute drug intoxication. Ingestion of tofranil. Accident-suicide-undetermind. That was the final Toxicology report. That was the cause of death. It was not from a blood clot. She was not murdered. She died alone in her apartment, with a chain on her door. The chain had to be broken, to enter her apartment, when she did not respond to the doorbell or calling out her name.

[@ColleenLytle-sq8tx]

@@1234pouvez ​ @monilaninetynine3811 Wow! Your comment is so well-informed and researched that it could be a video on its own. I appreciate the time you took to share your research - I wish all this information could be gathered for its own production. I feel cheated now, considering all that is known, that it isn't all together in a biography. Thank you.

[@1234pouvez]

@@monilaninetynine3811 Again her Death Certificate plainly states-- Cause of Death Acute Drug Intoxication --InGestion of tofranil. That was her cause of death. "Accident- suicide--Undetermined" is also stated in the certificate.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

Dorothy Dandridge died on September 8, 1965; while Halle Berry was born less than a year later, on August 14, 1966. Dorothy and Halle were both born in the same Cleveland hospital. Theories have swirled for years that Halle may be the reincarnation of Dorothy, which may be a bit much, but its amazing that Halle is who finally brought Dorothy the recognition she so deserved. I also firmly believe that Halle's 2002 Oscar win was at least in part also because of her performance as Dorothy, and not exclusively for Monster's Ball. Janet Jackson also idolized Dorothy, and Janet indirectly birthed KZbin. So thanks Dorothy!

[@tstreet6526]

Definitely think Diana Ross was also inspired by Dorothy to some degree. Whether or not she ever publicly said so I dunno - but looking at Dorothy's 2 appearances at the Oscars the similarities are definitely there

[@jamesa.romano8500]

@@tstreet6526 I know that Whitney Houston definitely was and tried for years to get a musical project going where she could play her. Now THAT would have been epic.

[@Moonewitch]

That Oscar was won exclusively for 'Monsters Ball' and THAT sex scene. That's like saying Denzel won the Oscar for 'Malcom X', 'John Q' or 'Glory,' instead of for his degrading role in 'Training Day.' For all of the phenomenal characters that Denzel has portrayed...he was rewarded for playing a dishonest, rogue and horrible police officer. Like it or not, black actors usually have to do some of most degrading work in order to get recognized for it. Halle won that Oscar...during that year, for that film and its degrading role, the same one that Angela Bassett turned down. The same way Dorothy was nominated and didn't win, but Hattie won for portraying a Mammy.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

But the Academy voters DO tend to be compensatory in terms of their voting. I don't even necessarily think your Denzel analogy is THAT far fetched. I'd be willing to believe that it probably was a way of saying "yeah, sorry, you should have won by now." Other well known examples are Bette Davis winning for Dangerous when it was widely understood to be a way of making up for her snub of her performance in Of Human Bondage the year before, or Katharine Hepburn winning for Guess Who is widely believed to have been A) the sympathy vote after losing Spencer and B) a way of making up for her being long overdue after years' worth of snubs for better performances (Philadelphia Story, African Queen, Long Days Journey, etc.). And those are just the ones off the top of my head. But I never said I have proof that Halle won for Introducing Dorothy, only that I had a firm belief, as in I'd like to believe it had a role, mainly because Halle did campaign on the idea of making history as the first black woman Best Actress winner and that would have come just on the heels of her promoting the TV movie and winning an Emmy for it (thereby creating a sort of narrative that would frame her win - sort of "Dorothy walked so Halle could run" or something), which likely factored into SOME voters' overall decision. And regardless of peoples' feelings about her win and the role she won it for, it does bother me the fact that its taken this long for a second black actress to win the award, thereby meaning whoever eventually does become the second winner, will probably be regarded as the true "first" winner and will go on to receive more props and respect and praise than Halle, whose win has largely been greeted with disdain and mockery and faint praise. Just sayin

[@brandondixon207]

How did Janet indirectly birth KZbin? But I can see how Hallie Berry is a reincarnation of Dorthy. They look a like

[@Mikkimouse824]

Love this story. She was such a beautiful lady.

[@khongmaithikhog5624]

Love tf. What a tragic story

[@zzizahacallar]

Comedy Hype great job putting this together. Dorthy was such a beautiful woman inside and out.

[@ebonyrushharrington1901]

She should of took better care of yourself etc.....

[@ebonyrushharrington1901]

I meant Dorothy Dandridge spell should of took better care of her self

[@ebonyrushharrington1901]

She should of stood up for herself etc.....

[@ebonyrushharrington1901]

R.I.P./ I sure hope you found what you were looking - for

[@andreoates8405]

Wonderful tribute what a wonderful spirit so sorry that she didn’t know how loved she was made she Rest In Peace💕😳

[@nr30199]

Ms. Dandridge was a stunningly beautiful woman. She was also super talented ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@scorpionoir4952]

Dorothy is my birthday twin. I suspect that she was an emotional wreck a lot of times because we scorpios tend to feel hard and it affects us greatly which is why are the most intense zodiac sign. You can be beautiful on the outside but if your insides are in shambles it defeats the purpose. I think the problem came when Dorothy got involved with Harold Nicholas. Both of the Nicholas brothers get so much praise but lets consider this. Both of those men had beautiful black wives that they didn't treat well but both of them went on to later marry white women so this kind of fits the narrative of what black women deal with when dealing with black men. Black men date black women on the comeup but eventaully they drop them for a white woman.

[@edeck889]

Your wrote some thought provoking stuff about Scorpios but you should also speak on Dandridge affairs with White men otherwise you are just being scornful of Black men celebrities doing the same thing she was doing smh

[@scorpionoir4952]

@@edeck889 Actually she started running to white men when black men failed her. That is usually the only reason black women give up on black men so try again.

[@pamela1318]

You need to have a good talk with the Lord Jesus because that astrology you're talking about that's all witchcraft go read a Bible have a personal relationship with the holy spirit, he's a person. And that's who your answer to in the end God does not care what nationality you marry he personally told me that.

[@2wealthy4U]

She was one of Cleveland's Finest. Did our city proud. SIP

[@lo2smooth647]

This story touched my ❤️.. bad things happen to good people in order for good lessons to be shared... May your soul rest in ETERNAL POWER QUEEN we LOVE U 4EVER❤️❤️🤲🏾.. U will FOREVER B in our minds and hearts... Curse EVERY last one of those cowards that manipulated and deceived her

[@ladanehaten4283]

As a child Dorothy was my Godess thought she was and still is one of the most beautiful woman ever created. R.I.P. Much Love.

[@mollypinto4666]

So heart breaking. What a tragic life😭 But what a trail blazer 💓 May her soul have found peace. Love and Light beautiful soul. You played your part the best you knew how 🙏😘💕

[@TeeCee1]

I love the way you told her story!

[@curtistinemiller4646]

Dorothy Dandridge was such a beautiful talent, Her short life was tragic and sad,she still was a trailblazer..Rest in Peace;;Dorothy 🦋🕊🦋🕊🦋🕊

[@edeck889]

Read the well written, great book" Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography" by Donald Bogle. Dorothy's life was very complex, full of struggles, confusion, some happiness, a lot of sadness, but ultimately triumphant for she was given opportunities right before she died to revamp her career in both film and music. Iconic singer and actress Whitney Houston had brought the rights to the book in a proposed film to star Houston as Dandridge shortly after the book was published in 1997. Halle Berry who was offered the chance to portray Dorothy Dandridge in a biopic in the early 1990's but turned it down to portray Black Panther activist Angela Davis in a film that was never made. Halle Berry upon hearing about the forthcoming Whitney Houston film on Dandridge, obtained the rights to Dandridge's manager Earl Mill's book on Dandridge titled "Dorothy Dandridge" first published in 1970 and later republished in 1991 and quickly got the cable tv film "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" made with her (Halle Berry) production company via HBO pictures before Whitney Houston could even get her film off the ground. Thanks to Comedy Hype for this. 💯

[@jamesa.romano8500]

Its a great read in that its both well researched but very readable. Apparently Whitney Houston tried for years to get the rights to it to do a musical version of it with herself as Dorothy - as great as Halle was part of me wishes she got the rights just to be able to see how EPIC that would have been. She could have brought serious pathos to the role

[@edeck889]

@@jamesa.romano8500 Whitney Houston did obtain the rights to Donald Bogle's book for a proposed film, but Halle Berry beat her in getting a film done on Dorothy Dandridge. Whitney Houston may have felt that her film would be weakened by a project that was already done on Dandridge.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

Ah wow I see, didn't know that - makes it even more unfortunate then lol

[@JadaFan4life]

No Halle did not turn down Dorothy Dandridge in the early 1990s. You guys just make things up

[@edeck889]

@@JadaFan4life Yes she did, know the facts before you speak, their had been talk of planned film projects being done on her (Dorothy Dandridge) since the 1970's even Janet Jackson, had a strong desire to portray DD in a film, that she's spoken about since the late 1980's. Please know what you are talking about again before you make a comment smh

[@justintime340]

I knew her story I never knew we shared a birthday 🎂 rest up queen

[@Wilmrbadguy]

So talented & so sad, she should have never been mistreated like that but respected, may she rest in purpose~ Wilmrbadguy

[@ResilientBeing1987]

I really wish an autopsy had been done before the cremation of her remains. I believe the main reason she wanted to make a comeback was to get back on her feet financially and to get her daughter back. She loved her daughter more than life itself. Despite her troubles, she lived for her daughter and in my heart of hearts I do not believe it was suicide that killed Dorothy, nor do I believe she wrote those notes they speak of.

[@1234pouvez]

There was an autopsy. There were no notes. There was only one note. The note actually said "In Case of MY Death, to whoever discovers it" According to her manager Earl Mills, she gave him the note with instructions of what to do in case of her death quite sometime before her death, leaving anything that she had to her Mother. It was considered a will. According to him, The week of her death they had just returned from Mexico, where Miss Dandridge signed a contract for two movies. She would have been paid one hundred thousand dollars for the two movies. There are pictures of them in Mexico with the producer. Fast forward, she had a small broken bone in her foot. He was to pick her up in the morning and take her to have a cast put on. She called him that morning and asked him to schedule a later appointment because she'd been up late talking to her mother and the lady who was to come and pack her wardrobe trunk for her upcoming singing engagement. When he came to pick her up she didn't answer the door. he had a key, but there was a chain on the door. He broke the chain and found her. The final lab report was a large amount of tofranil in her system . Her Death Certificate says Cause of Death Acute Drug Intoxication --InGestion of tofranil During this time there were no warning labels on pill bottles, as there are now. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, and Robert Walker. In addition to the movie contract, she was to open in New York the Friday of the same week at "Basin Street East. Career-wise, things could not have been better for her at that time. All this information is available to everyone, but people seem to prefer painting her as this tragic victim, with the mysterious death, and making a video about it. That seems to be the latest trend. There are so many videos popping up about her mysterious death. There was nothing mysterious about her death.

[@ResilientBeing1987]

@Jade Quest it's your opinion that her death wasn't mysterious. While all that information may be documented, I know the wickedness that goes on behind the scenes in the mainstream entertainment industry. None of that is documented because it's spiritual and ritualistic. Call me a conspiracy theorists, call me crazy delusional, all of that. I don't care. Thank you for that information, however, I still stand by what I said as far as her death being suspicious. It is not a sudden trend either. People have been speaking on this, so don't patronize me.

[@ResilientBeing1987]

@Jade Quest and just because something is documented does not always make it true. This world is full of tricks and illusions, therefore all things must be viewed with the third eye. Like I said I don't care what you think of me. The industry is not what it appears to be on the surface. They could have lied and withheld information about her autopsy just like they did Whitney Houston. They said she overdosed but they won't talk about ALL the details concerning the condition she was found in. Her body was bruised up as if she had been beaten, but they won't talk about that part.

[@sampa2nyc]

I wish that this story had included the fact that she was booked to play an engagement at Basin Street East in NYC and had sign to do two films with Mexican producer Raul Fernandez paying her 50K each before her untimely death. She had also completed her role in the never completed film "Marco Polo" starring French star Alain Delon.

[@1234pouvez]

If you've noticed, or perhaps haven't noticed, people who make videos about her seem to prefer portraying her as a tragic victim, with a tragic life. Her life was no more tragic than anybody else's. I have yet to see the video that mentions that on February 15, 1955, she became the 1st African American actor to sign a contract with a major studio [20th Century Fox] for star roles only. Between that date and her last film "Marco Polo", she made the same number of films as Oscar Winner Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe. [Unlike Miss Dandridge Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Oscar]. After 13 uncredited film roles starting at the age of 13, she made her 1st movie with a staring role in 1951 "THE HARLEM Globetrotters". With the exception of "Remains to be Seen" in 1953 where she played herself, she had a staring role in every film she made from 1951 to her last [Marco Polo] She is the only African American actor who had that distinction. Eartha Kitt didn't make her film debut until 1957[The Mark of the Hawk]. She was the 1st African American actor to walk the red carpet as a movie star and be an Oscar presenter the same year she was nominated for an Oscar for Carmen Jones. However, people seem to prefer ignoring her accomplishments and making videos about her tragic life. Nobody's life could be more tragic than Marlon Brando's with one son who served time in prison for manslaughter and a daughter who committed suicide.

[@movingon2actionableitems755]

Dated a woman that looked like her, classic beauty

[@Hains22]

Janet Jackson paid tribute to her in the “Twenty Four play” video

[@اَنوار-غ4م]

So sad how we treat each other as black men and women. She was no different than any other human being, we just be loved correctly.

[@DanayaAzure]

So sad what an amazing queen

[@Kristyle11]

My favorite!!! Love her so much. ❤️❤️❤️

[@mauriciotye]

She was born before marylin. This title is disrespectful.

[@diyi75]

Simply beautiful

[@imsooshook3871]

Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones. . . Is EVERYTHING!🤩😍😎💯Love her and Belafontae.💝

[@jillmarshall4718]

What a Beautiful Breathtaking Woman. She was so immensely Talented, She could Act, Dance and Sing. Her Tragic Death were years of Hollywood RACISM, She was the Right Person at the wrong Time. Marilyn Monroe Didn't have to go Through what she Encounter, Because She was White. We the Black Community is so very Proud of her. To Achieved the Success that was given to her by God Almighty. You have to Remember that 1954 Film Carmen Jones a Box Office Hit. Dorothy Nominated for Best Actress, She should have WON. Later in her LIFE, She pretty much lost her Career, and had a Daughter who had a handicap, and put into an Home. At the End she was all Alone, and Couldn't take the Pressure ANYMORE. May Miss. Dorothy Rest in God's Heaven 🙏 Always. I Hope you can find Peace.

[@arlenealberti4104]

She was so beautiful and talented. Her story is sad.

[@jillmarshall4718]

@@arlenealberti4104 You are Absolutely right Arlene, There was only one Dorothy and she was it.

[@1234pouvez]

She never lost her career, because never stopped working. On Feb. 15, 1955, the day she became the 1st African American actor to sign a contract with a major studio [20 Century Fox] for star roles only she was on the same level as Marilyn Monroe. Between the date she signed the contract and her last movie, she made the same number of films as Marilyn Monroe all starring roles. Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Oscar. Miss Dandridge was. So far Marilyn Monroe doesn't have a statue in Hollywood. Miss Dandridge has one at the Gateway to Hollywood in addition to having a star on Hollywood Blvd According to her manager Earl Mills The week of her death they had just returned from Mexico, where Miss Dandridge signed a contract for two movies. She would have been paid one hundred thousand dollars for the two movies. There are pictures of them in Mexico with the producer. Fast forward, she had a small broken bone in her foot. He was to pick her up in the morning and take her to have a cast put on. She called him that morning and asked him to schedule a later appointment because she'd been up late talking to her mother and the lady who was to come and pack her wardrobe trunk for her upcoming singing engagement. When he came to pick her up she didn't answer the door. he had a key, but there was a chain on the door. He broke the chain and found her. The final lab report was a large amount of tofranil in her system. Her Death Certificate says Cause of Death Acute Drug Intoxication --InGestion of tofranil During this time there were no warning labels on pill bottles, as there are now. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, and Robert Walker. In addition to the movie contract, she was to open in New York the Friday of the same week at "Basin Street East. Career-wise, things could not have been better at that time.

[@jillmarshall4718]

@@1234pouvez Are you BLACK, Because You are missing the Point. Till this Day they have been talking about Marilyn Monroe, I Don't see them talking about Dorothy Dandridge, It's like she been Forgotten. As far as Dorothy signed to a Major Studio, Twentieth Century Fox, Dorothy Dandridge is Always going be know as Carmen JONES, and that's it. Yes was Breathtaking, But BLACK. She didn't Achieved the Fame as Marilyn Monroe, And you Know that. Because She was BLONDE and WHITE. No Marilyn was never Nominated for an Oscar, But Dorothy Dandridge was and the Reason She Didn't WIN, Because it was 1954, Which was the WRONG COLOR. Dorothy had Filed for Bankruptcy, And Married this Guy, Who Took her Money. Even when she was in Las Vegas, Dorothy sit around the Pool and Put her Toe in the Water, The Owner of the Hotel, Had the Pool Drained, Now that's RACISM. In her later Years, She was TIRED OF LIVING, AND TOOK HER OWN LIFE. Dorothy Was MULTI TALENTED, She could ACT, SING, AND DANCE. HOLLYWOOD TO THIS VERY DAY IS STILL RACIST AGAINST BLACK ACTRESSES. HALLE BERRY IS THE ONLY BLACK ACTRESS TO WIN FOR MONSTERS BALL, Which was 2002. 21 YEARS ago. Yeah Black Actresses can WIN FOR SUPPORTING, I Believe it's been 7,8,or 9. I Called it the Way I see it. SO LET'S NOT GO THERE!

[@punkyreggaeparty8786]

Interestingly, the Hollywood machine also had a LOT to do with the addiction issues many actresses AND actors faced. Many were forced to take various drugs to fulfill the breakneck pace pf their contracts....

[@brandonpage7087]

Yes, this is sadly true. Many, like Judy Garland, ended up becoming total addicts, because of the drugs that they were forced to take.

[@eleanorturner4651]

Thank you for this very informative bio!! I never really knew much about Dorothy Dandrige, nor have I seen any of her pictures other than one!! And it was interesting to note that her birthday November 9th is the same as my dear daughter's birthday!!! It is tragic that she had to go through much!! I think the most hurtful was having to put her child into a public Institution!! I can only imagine that broke Her ❤ and to failed marriages!! But from everything you said she was a wonderful strong loving and caring person! Yes actresses of today should take their hats off and bow to her because she was the breakthrough for them especially our beautiful black Actress 's she opened the door and I just pray that they continue the work and Effort that she put forth!!

[@AHealedPerspective]

I would love to see a movie about the specific friendship or frenemy-ship between Dorothy and Marilyn. I feel that somehow that alliance catapulted Marylyn into success but the opposite for Dorothy.

[@FmTrini]

The original vintage baddie smh rip queen 🙏🏾

[@MsColetha]

Rest In Peace Dorothy Dot Dandridge💐💐💐

[@charvonay]

It’s ALWAYS the wrong time here when you’re what we are. SMH. Rest In Eternal Peace, Dorothy. She deserved much better, yet she would never be afforded that here. #LEGENDARY 🌹✨

[@CokaBaby]

It’s like looking in a mirror.. I think this was the best video I’ve seen about her thus far

[@AmalioTV]

So beautiful and talented

[@beautifulx7405]

Her tragedy started with Harold. What a disappointment he was. Messed up, i hope he suffered before leaving here.

[@michaelmitchell5098]

All respect is deserved! A definite groundbreaker who paid a heavy price for it.

[@foxyloxy6670]

Unfortunately, I never heard of her. And that's bc the media has always failed when it comes to putting out ANY info on iconic Blacks. We hear little or none info.. RIP Queen Dorothy Dandridge 💕🕊🕊🕊💕

[@1234pouvez]

Today she is honored with a star on Hollywood Blvd. and a Statue at Hollywood Gateway. Had you been born during her lifetime you would have heard of her. She was the 1st African American actor to be nominated for an Oscar in the Lead Actor category,, to walk the red carpet and be an Oscar presenter the same year she was nominated, to sign a contract with a major studio 20TH Century Fox for a lucrative salary per film for star roles only and to open at the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel two months after she signed her movie contract. She is the only African American actor who had a starring role in every film she made from the period of 1951 to 1962 [with the exception of the 1953 film "Remains to Be Seen" where she played herself and sang one song. Videos of her accomplishments are never made.

[@rubin831]

Oh no, another one of our Queens who doesn’t get the Recognition she deserves. Real talk love yourself, ALWAYS.

[@genessejm]

This was an excellent documentary 😢❤

[@Shay_TheUnpopularOpinion_]

She wasn’t the black Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Monroe was the white Dorothy Dandridge! I see Black girls with pics of Marilyn, but what about Dorothy???!

[@papistgai5268]

Hollyweird has destroyed many good innocent and lovely souls. May her soul R I P.

[@jerusalema4eva434]

Love her so much. 😍 Btw, she and Marilyn Monroe were very good friends and she lowkey inspired Marilyn's swag... Carmen Jones, of course.

[@rccurry7431]

Elegance and Talent captured the universe 📽️ mesmerizing beauty 🧡 💃 Displaying intellect and superstar quality During a racial moments of her career Rip Queen 🙏

[@latoshastanfield5523]

Just BEAUTIFUL 🤩

[@vjflem]

SheeSh. Whoelse got MADD Emotional 🥺🙏🏽💯

[@vincentbrown1872]

This is the type of headline you get from newbies who don't know. Dorothy Dandridge remains one of the most beautiful women ever seen on film and deserves more respect than " this black actress "!

[@bilqiscampbell219]

Her beauty was legendary 🤎👑

[@stacistaci6657]

Alot of info I didn't know. Great video! 👍 I've heard of actresses who turned to drugs and alcohol, but I've never heard of any turning to prostitution. Wow

[@1234pouvez]

prostitution? Where did that come from?

[@brandonpage7087]

Sadly, I had never heard of Dorothy Dandridge prior to seeing the tv movie, introducing Dorothy Dandridge, which should have been released into theaters. Since then, I've learned so much about her tragic, but amazing life. The Hollywood machine & it's racism, is what destroyed her career. She should've been just as big, as Sidney Poitier would end up becoming.

[@1234pouvez]

In 1955 the year she was nominated for an Oscar she was as big a star as Sidney Poitier would end up becoming. February 15, 1955, she became the 1st African American actor to sign a contract with a major studio [20th Century Fox] for star roles only. Between that date and her last film "Marco Polo" [that film wasn't completed because the producer ran out of money], she made the same number of films as Oscar Winner Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe. [Unlike Miss Dandridge Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Oscar]. She has a star on Hollywood Blvd and a statue at the west end of Hollywood's Walk of Fame. I don't think she could get more recognition. She is the only African American Actor who had a staring role in every film she made from the time period 1951 "The Harlem Globe Trotters" to her last movie in 1962. [With the exception of Remains to Be Seen 1953 where she played herself and sang one song]. Earth Kitt didn't make her first movie until 1957 [The Mark of the Hawk] Her trailblazing accomplishments are completely ignored by videos of her tragic life. Her life was no more tragic than anybody else's. Nobody's life could have more tragedy than Marlon Brando's. His son Cristian Brando spent five years in jail for manslaughter. His daughter Cheyenne Brando committed suicide in 1995 at age 25----

[@brandonpage7087]

Jade Quest thanks for the info. I didn't know about most of this. You are so right that they focus too much on Dorothy's tragic personal life, & ignore her accomplishments. Yes, both Marlon Brando & Marilyn Monroe had far more tragic personal lives!

[@1234pouvez]

@@brandonpage7087 Thank you for your reply. If you'd like to see her perform during her days as a Star, I suggest watching ford star jubilee you're the Top which you can stream at Internet Archive. This was an hour-long television show broadcast in 1956 with several stars. She sings and dances to two songs.

[@Chamuel1310]

Watch this one to the end: factual & functional - TO THE END. You will learn so much about Dorothy & each other. WELL DONE VIDEO! 👏🏽😎💪🏽🙏🏾🤗

[@tobconnected]

Believe me I have often wondered if her foot injury did have something to do with her death as well. I remember in the movie Halle had on of those hard plaster foot/ankle cast. I knew of two people (didn't know either personally) that had those old cement plaster cast on there legs and passed away but not sure if it was noted as the actual cause of death. Now don't think they even put those hard cement plaster cast on people anymore. Sorry, correct me if wrong I think they are entirely different now. Remember hearing that there was a fear of traveling blood clots especially if the cast was to tight on the leg not sure if that would apply to the arm. Just something I remember and have thought about.

[@pamela1318]

yes you made a good point because my daughter she was born with a cup with a club foot and my mother told me to take her to see the pediatrician right away and they did it was curved and they put a cast on her foot and I just believe that her foot would be straight the doctor said wouldn't be straight but it did I prayed and I believe that was straight doctors couldn't believe it now strange her father was an accident with his motorcycle and they both had a cast on the same leg we joked about it

[@1234pouvez]

The first coroner's report was a fat embolism. This was before the toxicology report conducted by Dr. Theodore Curphey the Chief Medical Examiner of the LA Coroner's Office. His findings were acute drug intoxication. ingestion of tofranil---accident--suicide-undetermined. That was the final toxicology report. In recent years, it's been pointed out that medication during that time, the '60s, didn't have the warning labels that they have today, about maximum dosage, and mixing medication with other medication or alcohol. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, Robert Walker. and Alan Ladd.

[@lesliebarber206]

She didn't mysteriously die she had a lot struggle, she broke her foot, and got hooked on pills, she caught neumonia and got hooked on cough syrup, Dorothy dangrige tried masking her pain, she was talented and beautiful, outspoken,may she rest in peace ❤️🙏🏾 💐

[@1234pouvez]

No, she didn't mysteriously die. There was never any mystery. I don't know where you got the cough syrup and pneumonia from. The first coroner's report was a fat embolism. This was before the toxicology report conducted by Dr. Theodore Curphey the Chief Medical Examiner of the LA Coroner's Office. His findings were acute drug intoxication. ingestion of tofranil---accident--suicide-undetermined. That was the final toxicology report. In recent years, it's been pointed out that medication during that time, the '60s, didn't have the warning labels that they have today, about maximum dosage, and mixing medication with other medication or alcohol. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, Robert Walker. and Alan Ladd. At the time of her death, she had a signed contract for one-hundred thousand dollars for two films and was scheduled to open at the renowned Basin Street East in New York, the Friday of the same week. Career wise, things could not have been better for her.

[@1234pouvez]

You are right. She didn't mysteriously die. I don't know what cough-syrup and pneumonia had to do with her. According to her agent Earl Mills the week of her death they had just returned from Mexico where she signed a movie contract for one hundred thousand dollars for two films. Raul Fernande was the producer. Before that, she'd finished a very successful engagement at the Paddock Supper Club in Albuquerque N.M. The Friday of that same week she died she was scheduled to open at the renowned Basin Street East in New York. She had a small broken bone in her foot. Earl Mills was supposed to pick her up and take her to the doctor, not the airport. She called him early the morning of September 8th and asked him to make a later appointment. She'd been up late the night before talking to her mother and the lady who was scheduled to come and pack her wardrobe truck for the upcoming singing engagement. The first coroner's report was a fat embolism. This was before the toxicology report conducted by Dr. Theodore Curphey the Chief medical Examiner of the LA Coroner's Office. His findings were acute drug intoxication. ingestion of tofranil---accident--suicide-undetermined. That was the final toxicology report. In recent years, it's been pointed out that medication during that time, the '60s, didn't have the warning labels that they have today, about maximum dosage, and mixing medication with other medication or alcohol. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, Robert Walker. and Alan Ladd.

[@michaelnewell6385]

Stunning gorgeous, super sexy, and very talented. I lived in a world of Marilyn Monroe and nothing against her, but Dorothy blows her out of the water. I always kind of thought Marilyn was a little fake. I know that was a character, but Dorothy just seem to be such a beautiful person. My new Hollywood crush. What a woman.

[@d.johnson1109]

My birthday twin. She was stunningly beautiful and a diversified talent. Continue to rest in Heaven, Ms. Dandridge.

[@KayMoche]

I love me some Dorothy!!!

[@lt3074]

i really enjoyed her in carmen jones. her life was tragic, so sad.

[@nancisam8305]

Actresses like dorothy was held back because of her color, some roles she couldn't get. She and other actresses paved the way for singers, and actors today.

[@1234pouvez]

On February 15th, 1955, she became the 1st African American actor to sign a contract with a major studio 20th Century Fox for star roles only for a lucrative salary per film. As long as she was under contract, she didn't have to worry about getting roles. It was up to the studio to find films for her, with a starring role. Three of her films had absolutely nothing to do with any particular ethnicity.

[@ericromero6121]

This background music is so good

[@God1st924]

It irritates me how sisters champion Marilyn Monroe, that white woman bit Dorothy whole style. Dorothy was Black Girl Magic before y’all made it a thing

[@demialekeesha9305]

How thoughtful of you to make this video.

[@KrazyKarentv]

They always hide our greatness

[@3treday2]

She was a black beauty

[@bobbyslappy1027]

Wow what a gorgeous woman

[@hartzaire]

They say now that her daughter had what is now known as severe autism but back then they didn’t know that diagnosis.

[@dawnreed7332]

All I can say is she was beautiful !!!!!!

[@Chamuel1310]

Yeah…I’m on the train of the folks who AGREE THAT WE are ALL BEAUTIFUL ❤🎉 They were BOTH GREAT AMAZING BEAUTIES - But, let’s not pit them against each other: Let’s recognize them in their own RITE. 👏🏽🥰💝 BRAVO MARILYN + DOROTHY = great friends & AMERICAN BEAUTIES - BRAVO TO BOTH OF THEM , BRAVO SISTERS- 😎💝💕

[@myabbyohabby]

Well done. 👍🏿

[@93jade64]

When I was young I seen the movie of her life it was so tragic she was beautiful she was an Legend.

[@cgaQuira]

Dorothy should have been at the same level as Marilyn Monroe, such a tragedy

[@1234pouvez]

On Feb. 15, 1955, the day she became the 1st African American actor to sign a contract with a major studio [20 Century Fox] for star roles only she was on the same level as Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe was never nominated for an Oscar. Miss Dandridge was. So far Marilyn Monroe doesn't have a statue in Hollywood. Miss Dandridge has one at the Gateway to Hollywood in addition to having a star on Hollywood Blvd.

[@beemocha]

Incorrect. Marilyn was the YT Dorothy Dandridge

[@quintonguidryb1-fba]

: EXACTLY !

[@beemocha]

@@quintonguidryb1-fba 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@1234pouvez]

Marilyn Monroe was Marilyn Monroe. Dorothy Dandridge was Dorothy Dandridge. Liz Taylor was Liz Taylor. Lana Turner was Lana Turner. Kim Novak still is Kim Novak. She is the only one still with us as of 11/7/2024.

[@beemocha]

@@1234pouvez Marilyn was the YT Dorothy Dandridge

[@1234pouvez]

@@beemocha Well of course that is strictly a matter of opinion. Obviously, that is your opinion and I respect your opinion. You can say Marilyn was the YT Dorothy Dandridge a million times and it will not alter the fact that it's a matter of opinion.

[@JamellaG88]

Dang what a pioneer ♥️

[@PrinceOnyx]

Her sister was an actress too and she had went missing at some point cause Dorothy hired a P.I. To find her. Tragic stories indeed, Dorothy was the Beyoncé of her time!

[@Ianisatool]

Why do pple bring beyawnce into everything. Dorothy was a legend and league of her own.

[@shenequecapierce10]

I wish people stop saying Beyonce of their time. She is Dorothy of her own time Beyonce wish she could

[@puppylove9203]

@@shenequecapierce10 … that statement went over your head? How embarrassing!

[@shenequecapierce10]

@@puppylove9203 nothing went over my head you the one that should be embarrassed stop saying Beyonce of her time she is Dorothy one of the frist black actress of her time now you go back to sleep

[@PrinceOnyx]

@@puppylove9203 thank you

[@TTJJCC]

Why would they not do an autopsy and check her clothes. That doesn't sound right.

[@1234pouvez]

. The first coroner's report was a fat embolism. This was before the toxicology report conducted by Dr. Theodore Curphey the Chief Medical Examiner of the LA Coroner's Office. His findings were acute drug intoxication. ingestion of tofranil---accident--suicide-undetermined. That was the final toxicology report. In recent years, it's been pointed out that medication during that time, the '60s, didn't have the warning labels that they have today, about maximum dosage, and mixing medication with other medication or alcohol. Consequently, there were a lot of sudden deaths such as hers, Nick Adams, Dinah Washington Pier Angeli, Judy Garland, Robert Walker. and Alan Ladd.

[@stellabellafontay9366]

So curious about what happened to her daughter.

[@dimensionexo.]

Drained and scrubbed the pool - Which completely baffles me - Why there is nothing but love - In the brown melanated community * 👇🏼 😿

[@1234pouvez]

That was just a story that the screen writer wrote in the movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.

[@airmaxwell]

I think Halle Berry played her before

[@lp6314]

She did,they say it in the video. 1999 HBO film.

[@flexlugakathakingofohio8723]

She was so fine🔥💙🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@joyleenstrozier4295]

Wow! Amazing!

[@jenniferbrooks3777]

Dorothy, my goodness, what a talent. So tragic.

[@fara-1492]

Dorothy had refined features and it's difficult to categorize her as and African black. A natural beauty.

[@macewbee]

Very tragic 😥

[@r.diongoston8725]

GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!🙂

[@kuroe-chan5190]

Awe a Scorpio like me one day art but many years ahead She took her life. She was so tired. It’s so very sad. She was breath taking beautiful soul. Manic depression is so real. One minute your fine but when that sever depression hits it can hit so hard. I also forgot honk losing her young daughter losing everything so horrible

[@KymelieLeonard-wb6bw]

One my fave actresses

[@horacegulleyjr3962]

Dorothy Dandridge was first. Marilyn Monroe was the white Dorothy Dandridge.

[@1234pouvez]

Marilyn Monroe was Marilyn Monroe. Dorothy Dandridge was Dorothy Dandridge. There was no reason to mention Marilyn Monroe at all.