Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas was the only child of Dorothy Dandridge, a famous American actress, singer, and dancer. She was born on September 2, 1943, and died in 2003 at the age of 60. Harolyn was born with severe brain damage that made her spend almost her entire life with caretakers or in mental institutions in the USA. What was the cause of her death and how did it affect her mother’s life and career? Here is the tragic story of Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas.
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The Traumatic Birth of Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas
Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas was the daughter of Dorothy Dandridge and Harold Nicholas, a renowned dancer and one half of the famous Nicholas Brothers duo. Her parents met in 1938 at the Cotton Club in Harlem and got married in 1942. They were both successful African-American entertainers who broke racial barriers in Hollywood.
However, their marriage was not a happy one. Harold was unfaithful and abusive to Dorothy, who suffered from low self-esteem and depression. Their relationship became even more strained when Dorothy gave birth to Harolyn in 1943.
Dorothy went into labor at her sister-in-law’s house, but Harold had taken the car to play golf. She delayed the birth until he came back, which resulted in cutting off oxygen to Harolyn’s brain. This caused permanent brain damage to the baby, a condition known as cerebral anoxia.
Dorothy blamed herself for Harolyn’s condition and felt guilty for the rest of her life. She later said on The Mike Douglas Show that she could sense that something was wrong with her daughter when she was about two years old. She couldn’t speak or recognize people, not even her parents.
The Struggle to Care for Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas
Dorothy tried to find help for Harolyn, but she faced many challenges and prejudices. She took her to child psychoanalysts who suggested that she and Harold had inflicted psychological damage on their daughter by traveling too much for work. She also took her to a doctor who scanned her brain and told her that Harolyn had brain damage and advised her to give her up and have another child.
Dorothy refused to abandon Harolyn and sought different treatments and therapies for her. She hired nurses and caretakers to look after her daughter while she pursued her career. She also enrolled Harolyn in a special school for children with disabilities.
However, none of these efforts seemed to improve Harolyn’s condition. She remained unable to communicate or interact with others. Dorothy became frustrated and depressed by her daughter’s situation and felt isolated from other mothers who had normal children.
The Impact of Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas on Dorothy Dandridge’s Career
Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas’ condition also affected Dorothy Dandridge’s career and finances. Dorothy had to pay for Harolyn’s medical bills and caretakers, which drained her savings. She also had to deal with the stigma and discrimination that came with having a disabled child in a society that was not very accepting or supportive of people with disabilities.
Dorothy tried to balance her personal and professional life, but it was not easy. She faced many challenges as a Black woman in Hollywood, such as limited roles, low pay, and racial segregation. She also faced sexism and harassment from powerful men who wanted to exploit her.
Despite these obstacles, Dorothy achieved some remarkable milestones in her career. She became the first Black woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Carmen Jones (1954). She also starred in other films such as Porgy and Bess (1959), Island in the Sun (1957), and Tamango (1958).
However, Dorothy’s success did not last long. She faced a decline in her career in the 1960s due to changing tastes, lack of good roles, and personal problems. She also divorced Harold Nicholas in 1951 and had two more failed marriages afterwards. She became addicted to alcohol and drugs and suffered from financial troubles.
The Death of Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas
Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas died in 2003 at the age of 60. The exact cause of her death is not known, but it is likely that it was related to her brain damage and lifelong disability.
Harolyn outlived her mother by almost four decades. Dorothy Dandridge died on September 8, 1965, at the age of 42. The cause of her death was ruled as an accidental overdose of antidepressants.
Dorothy’s death was a tragic end to a brilliant career and a troubled life. She left behind a legacy as one of the most influential Black actresses in Hollywood history. She also left behind a daughter who never got to know or enjoy her mother’s love or fame.
Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas was the tragic victim of a birth complication that robbed her of a normal life. She spent most of her life in the shadows, away from the public eye and the glamour of Hollywood. She was the daughter of a star, but she never got to shine.
