Hazel Scott was an American actress and musician best known for her performances in “Something to Shout About,” “I Dood It,” and “Broadway Rhythm.” She was celebrated for her talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
Personal and Family Life
Born on June 11, 1920, in Port au Prince, Trinidad, Hazel moved to the U.S. with her family in 1924. She began playing piano at just three years old, and by the age of eight, she was studying classical music at Juilliard. Hazel married Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in 1945, but they divorced in 1956; they had one child together. Later, she was married to Ezio Bedin in 1961, though that marriage also ended in divorce.
Career Highlights
Throughout her career, Hazel Scott became a prominent figure in music, known for her unique blend of jazz and classical styles. She was the first Black woman to host a primetime television show, “The Hazel Scott Show,” in 1950, though it was canceled after a few months. Hazel used her platform to speak out against segregation and McCarthyism. After living in Paris, she returned to the U.S. and continued to perform, gaining guest roles in various television shows.
Death and Legacy
Hazel Scott passed away on October 2, 1981, in New York City due to cancer. She left behind a rich legacy as one of the first influential Black performers in the entertainment industry, breaking barriers for future artists. In 1978, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to film and music.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway Rhythm | 1944-01-19 | Herself – Hazel Scott |
| The Heat’s On | 1943-12-02 | Herself |
| Le Désordre et la Nuit | 1958-05-14 | Valentine Horse |
| I Dood It | 1943-09-01 | Herself |
| Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist | 1998-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Something to Shout About | 1943-02-25 | Hazel Scott |
| Une balle dans le canon | 1958-11-19 | Self / Singer of the nightclub |
| Rhapsody in Blue | 1945-06-27 | Hazel Scott |
| Trial Run | 1969-01-18 | Herself |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self – Singer / Pianist |
| The Hazel Scott Show | 1950-07-03 | |
| CBS Playhouse | 1966-12-08 | |
| The Dick Cavett Show | 1968-06-06 | Self – Guest |
| The Merv Griffin Show | 1962-10-01 | Self |