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Pearl Bailey was a beloved American performer who began her career in vaudeville and went on to achieve success in theater, film, television, and music. She won a Tony award for her role in Hello Dolly and was named an “Ambassador of Love” by President Nixon. Bailey passed away in 1990, but her legacy lives on.
As one of the most beloved figures of the American stage, screen and concert hall, Pearl Bailey has provided entertainment for people of all ages and backgrounds throughout a long and illustrious career. Here’s some background on Pearl Mae Bailey and the impact she’s had on her life.
Born in 1918, Pearl Bailey grew up in rural Virginia. As a minister’s daughter, Bailey sang in church choirs and at local events. She would later observe that the support she received during her early years helped make it very easy to discover the focus of her work in her life. Starting out as a vaudeville performer and eventually finding steady gigs in nightclubs, Pearl Bailey quickly proved that her talent was as vast as her smile.
In 1946 she made her Broadway debut, appearing in St. Louis Woman. Six years later, she had a Top Ten vocal hit with a song called “Takes Two to Tango.” The studios soon called, and Pearl Bailey accepted the role of Frankie in the film version of Carmen Jones in 1954. Along the way, the new medium of television gave Bailey a chance to introduce herself to audiences across the United States, with frequent appearances in variety shows. television of the day. In just over a decade, Pearl Bailey has established herself as a star in every medium of entertainment that she has chosen to engage in.
The 1960s decade saw Pearl Bailey continue to work in record, theatre, film and television. The growing genre of television talk shows was ideal for Bailey’s bubbly personality, which she quickly became a favorite host for many late night talk show hosts. Fans who attended her concerts were captivated by the warm, intimate atmosphere Bailey was able to create, even when the crowd numbered in the thousands. Back on the Broadway stage, Bailey was a key part of an all-black production of Hello Dolly in 1968, for which she won a coveted Tony award.
During the 1970s, Bailey added voiceover to his hit list. Providing voices in animation businesses such as Tubthe Tuba and The Fox and The Hound, her unmistakable voice was often part of the attraction for the adults and children who flocked to the theaters to see the features. She continued to make guest appearances on talk shows, but broadened her presence on television by hosting her own series Herself for a short time. Pearl Bailey was also officially named an “Ambassador of Love” to the United States in 1970, by then President Richard M. Nixon. The appointment was in recognition of the quiet but consistent humanitarian work conducted by the American actress over the years.
Over the next few years, Pearl Bailey went to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Georgetown University in 1985. Before the decade was out, Bailey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was honored by her peers on Broadway with a special dinner and program in 1989.
After a lifetime of work that ranked Pearl Bailey as America’s premier singer, actress, and stage performer, Pearl Bailey passed away quietly on August 17, 1990. The big heart that always had time for just about everyone had finally given out. To this day, Pearl Bailey’s fans and friends still appreciate her work and the warmth and style she brought to every aspect of her life.
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