SHARI BELAFONTE-HARPER
Name: Shari Belafonte
Born: 22 September 1954 New York City
Shari Belafonte (born September 22, 1954) is an American actress, model, writer
and singer. The daughter of singer Harry Belafonte, she is known for her role as
Julie Gilette on the 1980s television series Hotel and as a spokesperson for the
diet supplement Slim-Fast during the 1990s.
Belafonte was born in New York City to Marguerite Byrd, a
psychologist, and Harry Belafonte, a singer and actor. She attended Hampshire
College in Amherst, Massachusetts before transferring to Carnegie-Mellon
University in Pittsburgh where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
Drama. She has been married twice: First to Robert Harper (May 21, 1977 - 1988).
She has been married to Sam Behrens since December 31, 1989.
Belafonte got her start as a successful cover girl model and appeared in
commercials for Calvin Klein jeans. Belafonte made her feature film debut in
1982 in the movies Time Walker and If You Could See What I Hear. She started as
a production assistant and assistant director in public television on the East
Coast before moving to Los Angeles, where she became an assistant to the
publicist at Hanna-Barbera productions. While getting her hands wet "behind the
scenes", she has also received a number of modeling and commercial assignments,
and has appeared on the cover of over 300 magazines.
Early in her career, Belafonte landed a role opposite The Beastmaster's Marc
Singer in the feature film If You Could See What I Hear. Other feature films
include The Time Walker, Speed Zone, The Midnight Hour and Fire, Ice, and
Dynamite. Well-known producer Aaron Spelling cast her as "Julie Gilette" in the
ABC television series Hotel, in which she starred during the show's five-year
run (1983-1988). It was during this time that Shari began her music career on
Metronome Records, releasing several albums in Europe.
Belafonte made her theatrical debut in Tamara, playing the title role in the
long-running Los Angeles production. Shortly thereafter, she starred as Dr.
Laura Wingate in the USA Network's dramatic series Beyond Reality, which ran for
two years. In addition, Shari also co-hosted the syndicated series Lifestyles
with Robin Leach and Shari Belafonte, an updated version of Leach's signature
show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. As of 2006 Shari can be seen hosting a
travel program called Mexico & Caribbean on NYCTV.
Belafonte's multi-faceted career also includes moderating and voiceovers. She
has producing credits for theater, public and network television, and feature
films. In addition to her affiliation with numerous children's, animal, and
environment causes, she has also become the international spokesperson for the
Starlight Children's Foundation. Named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the
top ten celebrity endorsers, Shari has been the spokesperson for numerous
corporations including Bally's International Health and Fitness, Slim-Fast, Diet
System 6, and most recently, Estroven.
Belafonte also posed nude for Playboy in the magazine's December, 2000 edition.
She is an avid photographer.
Name: Shari Belafonte
Born: 22 September 1954 New York City
Shari Belafonte (born September 22, 1954) is an American actress, model, writer
and singer. The daughter of singer Harry Belafonte, she is known for her role as
Julie Gilette on the 1980s television series Hotel and as a spokesperson for the
diet supplement Slim-Fast during the 1990s.
Belafonte was born in New York City to Marguerite Byrd, a
psychologist, and Harry Belafonte, a singer and actor. She attended Hampshire
College in Amherst, Massachusetts before transferring to Carnegie-Mellon
University in Pittsburgh where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
Drama. She has been married twice: First to Robert Harper (May 21, 1977 - 1988).
She has been married to Sam Behrens since December 31, 1989.
Belafonte got her start as a successful cover girl model and appeared in
commercials for Calvin Klein jeans. Belafonte made her feature film debut in
1982 in the movies Time Walker and If You Could See What I Hear. She started as
a production assistant and assistant director in public television on the East
Coast before moving to Los Angeles, where she became an assistant to the
publicist at Hanna-Barbera productions. While getting her hands wet "behind the
scenes", she has also received a number of modeling and commercial assignments,
and has appeared on the cover of over 300 magazines.
Early in her career, Belafonte landed a role opposite The Beastmaster's Marc
Singer in the feature film If You Could See What I Hear. Other feature films
include The Time Walker, Speed Zone, The Midnight Hour and Fire, Ice, and
Dynamite. Well-known producer Aaron Spelling cast her as "Julie Gilette" in the
ABC television series Hotel, in which she starred during the show's five-year
run (1983-1988). It was during this time that Shari began her music career on
Metronome Records, releasing several albums in Europe.
Belafonte made her theatrical debut in Tamara, playing the title role in the
long-running Los Angeles production. Shortly thereafter, she starred as Dr.
Laura Wingate in the USA Network's dramatic series Beyond Reality, which ran for
two years. In addition, Shari also co-hosted the syndicated series Lifestyles
with Robin Leach and Shari Belafonte, an updated version of Leach's signature
show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. As of 2006 Shari can be seen hosting a
travel program called Mexico & Caribbean on NYCTV.
Belafonte's multi-faceted career also includes moderating and voiceovers. She
has producing credits for theater, public and network television, and feature
films. In addition to her affiliation with numerous children's, animal, and
environment causes, she has also become the international spokesperson for the
Starlight Children's Foundation. Named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the
top ten celebrity endorsers, Shari has been the spokesperson for numerous
corporations including Bally's International Health and Fitness, Slim-Fast, Diet
System 6, and most recently, Estroven.
Belafonte also posed nude for Playboy in the magazine's December, 2000 edition.
She is an avid photographer.