Pearl Mae Bailey, born on March 29, 1918 in Newport News, Virginia, was an American actress, singer, comedian, and author. After early nightclub work in Philadelphia, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946, earning a Donaldson Award for best Broadway newcomer. Her releases include the 1950 album Pearl Bailey Entertains, followed by Say "Si Si" (1953). In 1952, her rendition of "Takes Two to Tango" entered the top ten, and she continued to release albums such as The One and Only Pearl Bailey Sings (1957) and The Intoxicating Pearl Bailey (1958). Bailey collaborated with Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington, toured, starred in the all‑black production of Hello, Dolly! (1968), receiving a Special Tony Award. Bailey received the the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 1976 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988. She passed away on August 17, 1990.
