Tavis Smiley, April 2, 2008- Harry Belafonte

From the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, actor-activist Harry Belafonte describes how he first met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would become one of his closest friends.


Actor and activist tells about the time he filled in for Johnny Carson and interviewed his good friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on "The Tonight Show." (3:32)

Over the course of a very full life, Harry Belafonte has been an actor, producer, singer, music composer and arranger. He was TV's first Black producer, the first Black performer to win an Emmy and the first recording artist to have a million-selling album. He's also known for his passionate commitment to civil and human rights issues. Belafonte was a confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and raised money to release imprisoned civil rights protesters. He was also involved in the anti-apartheid movement.