Her father was a vaudeville drummer named Eddie Carson who abandoned Josephine and her mother, Carrie McDonald, at an early age. With Lynn Whitfield, Rubén Blades, David Dukes, Louis Gossett Jr.. Born poor in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine Baker achieved fame and fortune through her sizzlingly exotic, erotic performances. [59] She created dramatic backstories for them, picking with clear intent in mind: at one point she wanted and planned to get a Jewish baby, but settled for a French one instead. Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress.She was born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri.Fluent in both English and French, Baker became an international musical and political icon. While working there, she married a man named Willie Wells, from whom she divorced only weeks later. "[33], Despite her popularity in France, Baker never attained the equivalent reputation in America. Looking to parlay these early successes, Baker moved to New York City and was soon performing in Chocolate Dandies and, along with Ethel Waters, in the floor show of the Plantation Club, where again she quickly became a crowd favorite. The bathrooms were designed in art deco style but most rooms retained the French chateau style. I was only in the chorus in 'Shuffle Along' and 'Chocolate Dandies'. In New York City and the South, she worked alongside some of the most noted civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including W. E. B. [19] She left him when her vaudeville troupe was booked into a New York City venue and divorced in 1925; it was during this time she began to see significant career success, and she continued to use his last name professionally for the rest of her life. In honor of her efforts, the NAACP eventually named May 20th “Josephine Baker Day.”. Only 6 left in stock - order soon. [42][43], An incident at the Stork Club interrupted and overturned her plans. She specialized in gatherings at embassies and ministries, charming people as she had always done, while gathering information. "[5], Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States and is noted for her contributions to the civil rights movement. ", "African American Celebrity Josephine Baker, Dancer and Singer", "Josephine Baker Biography - life, name, school, mother, old, information, born, husband, house, time, year", "Josephine Baker: A Chanteuse and a Fighter", "Monaco Cimetière: des bornes interactives pour retrouver les tombes", "Hall of Famous Missourians, Missouri House of Representatives", "Junction of Channing Avenue (Josephine Baker Boulevard) with Lindell Boulevard and Olive Street", "Legacy Walk unveils five new bronze memorial plaques - 2342 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News", "What do twerking and the Charleston have in common? While she had four marriages to men, Jean-Claude Baker writes that Josephine also had several relationships with women. [37], Although based in France, Baker supported the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s. Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Josephine Baker has continued to intrigue and inspire people throughout the world. Ernest Hemingway called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw. 2020 Overview Video. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad. From a base in Morocco, she made tours of Spain. In fact my two favorite women from the 1920's, 30's, 40's etc, are Marlene Dietrich, and Josephine Baker. [6] Though Baker traveled, then returned with gifts and money for her mother and younger half-sister, the turmoil with her mother pushed her to make a trip to France.[20]. She attended parties and gathered information at the Italian embassy without raising suspicion. The engagement was a rousing success and reestablished Baker as one of Paris' preeminent entertainers. [61][62] For some time, Baker lived with her children and an enormous staff in the château in Dordogne, France, with her fourth husband, Jo Bouillon. ", "Keri Hilson Pays Tribute To Janet, TLC, Supremes In 'Pretty Girl Rock' Video", "The characters referenced in Woody Allen's, "A 'Midnight in Paris' tour takes you back to the Paris of the '20s", "BWW Review: Josephine Reigns Supreme in 'The Last Night of Josephine Baker' at Midtown Arts Center", "The Ensemble Theatre Elevates the Life of Josephine Baker in Season Finale Musical "Josephine Tonight, The Josephine Baker collection, 1926–2001, "Adopting the World: Josephine Baker's Rainbow Tribe", Josephine Baker at the Casino de Paris, 1931, Les Milandes – Josephine Baker's castle in France, The electric body: Nancy Cunard sees Josephine Baker (2003). If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! [47] Baker attended rallies for McGee and wrote letters to Fielding Wright, the governor of Mississippi, asking him to spare McGee's life. "[6], Her career began with blackface comedy at local clubs; this was the "entertainment" of which her mother had disapproved; however, these performances landed Baker an opportunity to tour in Paris, which would become the place she called home until her final days. Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3, 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Carrie McDonald. The Free French had no organized entertainment network for their troops, so Baker and her entourage managed for the most part on their own. [73] St. Louis's Channing Avenue was renamed Josephine Baker Boulevard[74] and a wax sculpture of Baker is on permanent display at The Griot Museum of Black History. )[46]), Baker worked with the NAACP. Louis. [15][16], At 13, she worked as a waitress at the Old Chauffeur's Club at 3133 Pine Street. She also devoted much of her life to fighting racism. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, career and timeline. To help support her growing family, at age eight Josephine cleaned houses and babysat for wealthy white families, often being poorly treated. [75] The Piscine Joséphine Baker is a swimming pool along the banks of the Seine in Paris named after her. Get it as soon as Mon, Jan 18. As a member of the Free French forces, she also entertained troops in both Africa and the Middle East. Her father's identity is debated. Josephine Baker, American-born French dancer and singer who symbolized the beauty and vitality of Black American culture, which took Paris by storm in the 1920s. Loren, Mick Jagger, Shirley Bassey, Diana ross, Phyliss, Cleopatra. Of different ethnicities and religions could still be brothers. an African-American Civil rights activist who took on with... 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