Pearl Bailey

Personal Info

Birthday

March 29, 1918

Day of Death

1990-08-17

(72 years old)

Place of Birth

Newport News, Virginia, USA

Also Known As

Pearl Mae Bailey

Pearl Bailey

Biography

Pearl Mae Bailey, born in Virginia on March 29, 1918, was an American actress and singer. Bailey began by singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black nightclubs in the 1930s, and soon started performing in other parts of the East Coast.

In 1941, during World War II, Bailey toured the country with the USO, performing for American troops. After the tour, she settled in New York. Her solo successes as a nightclub performer were followed by acts with such entertainers as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.

Known For

The Love Boat

The Fox and the Hound

Porgy and Bess

The Landlord

Carmen Jones

Isn't It Romantic?

Variety Girl

All the Fine Young Cannibals

Filmography

2014
Bing Crosby: Rediscovered
as Self (archive footage)
2010
Satan Claus
as Animal
2004
The World of Nat King Cole
as Self
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
as Self (archive footage)
2003
Passing the Baton: The Making of The Fox and the Hound
as Self
Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1989
Peter Gunn
as Mother
1985
Cindy Eller: A Modern Fairy Tale
as Martha Dermody
1982
The Member of the Wedding
as Bernice Sadie Brown
Night of 100 Stars
as Self
1981
The Fox and the Hound
as Big Mama (voice)
Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life
as Self
1976
Norman... Is That You?
as Beatrice Chambers
1975
Tubby the Tuba
as Mrs. Elephant (voice)
1970
The Landlord
as Marge
1969
Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway
as Self
1960
All the Fine Young Cannibals
as Ruby
1959
Porgy and Bess
as Maria
1958
St. Louis Blues
as Aunt Hagar
1956
That Certain Feeling
as Gussie
1954
Carmen Jones
as Frankie
1948
Isn't It Romantic?
as Addie
1947
Variety Girl
as Pearl Bailey