Lena Horne biographical timeline

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born in Brooklyn, NY.

Dropped out of school and began performing at the Cotton Club in Harlem (age 16).

Broadway debut in the fall production of "Dance With Your Gods."

Joined Noble Sissle & His Orchestra as a singer.

Marriage to Louis Jordan Jones. Birth of her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley.

Film debut in "The Duke Is Tops," renamed in 1943 to "Bronze Venus".

Joined the Charlie Barnet Orchestra (a well-known white swing band).

Birth of son, Edwin Jones.

Returned to New York to work at Café Society as a solo singer. It was at the Café Society that Horne learned about African American history, politics, and culture and developed a new appreciation of her heritage.

Signed a seven-year movie deal with MGM Studios and moved to Hollywood. This made Horne the first African American to sign a contract with a major studio. Horne made her MGM debut with "Panama Hattie" and "Harlem on Parade" (both singing roles).

The release of the two biggest films in Horne’s career (and the only two in which she had a speaking role), "Stormy Weather" and "Cabin in the Sky." In addition to the release of more MGM films where she just had a singing role: "I Dood It," "Swing Fever," and "Thousands Cheer."

The release of two more MGM films where Horne just had singing roles: "Broadway Rhythm," and "Two Girls and a Sailor." Horne also divorced Louis Jordan Jones.

Went on USO tour.

Marriage to Lennie Hayton (kept secret for three years, until 1950).

Horne was blacklisted in television and film for her alleged Communist sympathies, which halted her onscreen career.

Horne wrote a letter to George Sokolsky to have her name removed from the list of Communist sympathizers.

Release of her album, "It’s Love."

Release of albums, "Stormy Weather" and "Lena Horne at the Waldorf Astoria."

Starred in the Broadway musical, "Jamaica."

Release of her album, "Porgy & Bess."

Release of her album, "Lena Horne at the Sands."

Release of her album, "Lena on the Blue Side."

Participated in the March on Washington, gave performances around the country for the National Council for Negro Women, and released her albums, "Lovely and Alive," and "Lena Goes Latin."

Release of her album, "Feelin’ Good." Release of her self-written memoir, "Lena."

Release of her three albums, "Lena in Hollywood," "Soul," and "Merry from Lena."

Release of her own special, "Lena in Concert." Release of her film, "Death of a Gunfighter."

Death of her father, Edwin Fletcher Horne, Jr.; son, Edwin Jones; and husband, Lennie Hayton.

Toured England and the USA performing with Tony Bennett.

Appearance in "The Wiz."

One-person Broadway show opened: "Lena Horne: The Lady And Her Music." The show won a special Tony Award and the soundtrack won two Grammy Awards.

Release of her album, "The Men in My Life."

Release of her albums, "An Evening with Lena Horne" and "We’ll Be Together Again."

Release of her album, "Being Myself."

Release of "Stormy Weather," a biography of her life written by James Gavin.

Lena Horne died in New York, NY from heart failure at the age of 92.