Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Martha Coolidge
1999-08-21

Right woman. Right place. Wrong time.
6.7
115 min

An acclaimed stage performer, Dorothy still struggled with the challenge of her color, in a time that wouldn't let some stars in by the front door. Yet against the odds she beat out many more famous rivals for the role of "Carmen Jones", becoming the first black woman ever nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Marriages and affairs would break her heart, but her heart was strong. Seductive and easily seduced, she was born to be a star - with all the glory and all the pain of being loved, abused, cheated, glorified, undermined and undefeated. Here was a woman who wouldn't wait in the wings. Halle Berry stars as Dorothy Dandrige.

Cast

Name Character Team
Halle Berry Dorothy Dandridge Calvin and Nobbs
Brent Spiner Earl Mills Unowned
Klaus Maria Brandauer Otto Preminger Unowned
Obba Babatundé Harold Nicholas Unowned
Loretta Devine Ruby Dandridge Unowned
Cynda Williams Vivian Dandridge Unowned
LaTanya Richardson Jackson Auntie Unowned
Tamara Taylor Geri Nicholas Unowned
William Atherton Darryl Zanuck Unowned
D.B. Sweeney Jack Denison Unowned
Billy Mayo Sergeant Unowned
Sharon Brown Etta Jones Unowned
Guy Torry First Actor Unowned
Sarah Scott Davis Second Actress Unowned
Kerri Randles Marilyn Monroe Unowned
Margaret Easley Ring-a-ding Girl Unowned
Joanne Baron Doctor Unowned
Benjamin Brown Sidney Poitier Unowned
Dwain A. Perry Private Unowned
Clinton Derricks-Carroll Phil Moore Unowned
André Carthen Harry Belafonte Unowned
Tom Virtue Miami Comic Unowned