Harold George Belafonte, Jr. (born March 1, 1927) is a Jamaican American musician, actor and social activist. One of the most successful popular singers in history, also known as the “King of Calypso,” a title which he was very reluctant to accept (according to the documentary Calypso Dreams) for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s.
Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing the “Banana Boat Song”, with its signature lyric “Day-O”. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes. He was a vocal critic of the policies of the Bush Administration.
He was also a guest star on a memorable episode of The Muppet Show in 1978, in which he sang his signature song “Day-O” on television for the very first time.
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He also played a drum battle with Animal.
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However, the episode is best known for Belafonte singing the spiritual song, “Turn the World Around”, that is performed with Muppets designed like African tribal masks. It has become one of the most famous performances in the series. It was reported to be Jim Henson’s favorite episode, and Belafonte did a reprise of the song at Henson’s funeral in 1990.
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