Lena Calhoun Horne was born on June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York, to a father engaged in a card game to pay hospital costs and a mother who left when Lena was just a toddler. Her mother's departure left Lena in the care of her grandparents. When she was seven, her mother returned, and the two traveled around the state, causing Lena to attend numerous schools in different states, including Florida, Georgia, and Ohio. Eventually, she returned to Brooklyn and quit school at the age of 14.
At 16, Lena started her stage career dancing and singing at the renowned Cotton Club in Harlem, where she was mentored by Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. Her talent quickly earned her packed houses, and she became a legendary performer.
Before making her mark in films, Lena had a successful music career, which would have been enough to ensure her legendary status in the entertainment industry. However, she also made a few films, including The Duke Is Tops (1938) and Panama Hattie (1942),during which time she was often typecast in stereotypical roles.
In 1943, Lena starred in the all-black musical Stormy Weather (1943),which did extremely well at the box office, and her rendition of the title song became a major hit. She also appeared in Cabin in the Sky (1943),alongside Ethel Waters and Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, which showcased the talent of black performers in Hollywood.
Despite her success in music and film, Lena's career stagnated due to racist attitudes of the time. She was often denied rooms at hotels where she performed and was relegated to minor roles in films. After Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956),Lena left films to focus on music and the stage, returning in 1969 as Claire Quintana in Death of a Gunfighter (1969) and later in the all-black musical The Wiz (1978).
Throughout her career, Lena Horne faced numerous challenges due to racial attitudes, but she remained a respected, talented, and beautiful performer, earning her a legendary status in the entertainment industry.
