Julia Robinson Belafonte, known as Julie, a beloved actress and dancer renowned for her principal role with the Katherine Dunham Company, took her final bow, on March 9th, 2024 at 9:20 am PST, due to cardiopulmonary failure.
Born to Clara and George Robinson, Julie’s passion for dance was evident from a young age. A principal dancer with the internationally acclaimed Katherine Dunham Dance Company, Julie graced stages worldwide and will forever resonate in the hearts of those who witnessed her mesmerizing performances, artistry, and skill.
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Julie’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of love, activism, and artistic expression. Our mother left us within months of our father, Harry Belafonte, her first and only husband and partner of 50 years until their divorce in 2007. Julie’s journey was intertwined with love, as she became his political companion and wife. Together, they shared a life filled with political organizing, activism, love, laughter, and artistic inspiration. Julie bore witness to the turbulent times of the 1960s Civil Rights Era, marched alongside her husband, and endured racial hatred and abuse through the years when a high-profile relationship and marriage between a Black man and a White woman was dangerous.
Bearing children in that climate was an affirmation of their commitment to the need for diversity in the world. Together, they navigated the complexities of life with unwavering commitment, leaving an indelible mark on the world around them. Their home was a tapestry of inclusivity, a hot spot for artists and political luminaries to gather, and it is comforting for us to know that she is joining our father after a lifetime together.
Beyond her illustrious career in dance and activism, Julie was an artistic, free-spirited soul… a dancer, a designer, and a producer who aligned herself with a like-minded community of women and men who strived to make the world a better place. She was a beacon of style and sophistication, her impeccable sense of fashion always ahead of its time. Her love for vibrant colors and daring designs illuminated every room she entered, leaving admirers in awe of her effortless elegance. She performed and toured with her husband and later designed his touring costumes.
As an instructor at the Dunham school, Julie taught renowned dancers Alvin Ailey and Marlon Brando with whom she began a relationship while touring with the show A Streetcar Named Desire and who ultimately introduced her to Harry.
She was a devoted political organizer and activist, and later in life a documentary film producer with Ritmo del Fuego, and Flags Feathers and Lies about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and the resilience of the Mardi Gras Indians, amongst her credits.
She was ahead of her time from her politics to her impeccable style and love of celebration and festivity. Whether it was a lively soirée with friends her curiosity of culture or even a spontaneous dance party that lasted into the early hours of the morning, Julie’s infectious joy and enthusiasm lit up the night sky. She was an incredible host, always inclusive and always making sure everyone felt welcome.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, stepmother and mother-in-law. She is survived by her two children and their families; daughter Gina Belafonte, husband Scott McCray and their daughter Maria; and son David Belafonte, wife Malena Belafonte, and their two children Sarafina and Amadeus (in whom she instilled always to be a little naughty), and her stepchildren Adrienne Biesemeyer Belafonte and Shari Belafonte, and their families.
Julie’s legacy extends far beyond her immediate family, touching the lives of nieces, nephews, and countless admirers who were fortunate enough to cross her path. Let us remember her vibrant spirit, her passion for dance, art, politics, immaculate taste, and the enduring love she shared with her family. As we bid farewell to this remarkable soul, let us also carry forward her spirit of resilience, loyalty, creativity, and unwavering love.
Though Julie may no longer dance upon this earthly stage, her memory will continue to dance in our hearts and continue to inspire and uplift us all. A testament to a life lived with passion, purpose, and unbridled joy. Julie Robinson Belafonte will be deeply missed but forever cherished in our hearts, her legacy an eternal source of inspiration and admiration.
Gina and David Belafonte
