Melba Moore at a glance :-
| About | Actor, Singer-songwriter, Voice Actor |
| Category | Artist, Singer |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| Birth place | New York City |
| Birth date | Oct 29, 1945 |
| Net Worth | $30 Thousand |
Melba Moore, the stage name of the renowned artist Beatrice Melba Smith, known for her debut album (“I Got Love”) which was a massive hit and that got her a 1971 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.She is a four-time Grammy nominee and one-time Tony Award winner, apart from being a singer and an actress, Melba Moore also made guest appearances in many shows.
Born to Gertrude Melba Smith who also was a singer popularly known as Bonnie Davis and Teddy Hill, a band leader, she grew up in the Harlem section of New York until age nine and then relocated to Newark, New Jersey. Moore attended Newark Arts High School graduating in 1958. In 1970, she graduated from Montclair State College with a BA in music.
Moore’s recording career began in 1967 commenced with ‘Magic Touch’ , which was left unreleased until 1986 and gained popularity later. She also won the original role of Dionne in the musical ‘Hair’ just after graduating from Music College. Moore replaced Keaton in the role of Sheila. In 1970, she won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Purlie, in which she portrayed Lutiebelle.
After her successful series The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show (1972), she took a leap forward and formed her own production company, the Hush Productions. Following the success of Purlie, Moore acquired two big film roles, released two successful albums, I Got Love and Look What You’re Doing to the Man.
Music career
In 1974, she signed with Buddah Records that had slashing hits like ‘This Is It’, which reached top 2 on the USA dance charts and was also popular in the UK.
She released the R&B album which included the successful hit ‘I Am His Lady’.
She then succeded in scoring her first significant hit with the Van McCoy-penned ‘This Is It’ , which reached the Billboard Hot 100, the top-20 position on the R&B chart, and top-10 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming her notable hit. ‘This is It’ also shot to number 1 disco track in the UK. Other toppers that Melba accomplished over the years of the Disco-R&B era were, ‘Lean On Me’, ‘Make Me Believe In You’, ‘You Stepped Into My Life’ , ‘Let’s Stand Together’ , and ‘Take My Love’.
‘Lean on me’ was her third grammy nomination due to her distinctive extended long note at the end.
Her ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ entered into the Congressional Record and was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry which was one of the biggest accomplishments in her career.
In 1982, Moore signed with Capitol Records and hit the top 5 on the R&B charts with the single ‘Love’s Comin’ at Ya’, which also was in the top 20 in the UK and became a recogonizable one in some European countries followed by ‘Mind Up Tonight’, which was another top 40 hit in the UK, reaching 22nd position.
In 1986, she aired R&B hits, including the duet ‘A Little Bit More’ with Freddie Jackson and ‘Falling’. She scored other popular R&B hits including ‘Love the One I’m With (A Lot of Love)’ and ‘It’s Been So Long’ that gave a trailblazing breakthrough in her career.
Broadway and theatre career
She was well known for her sensational Broadway roles in musicals like Hair, Purlie, and Les Misérables, with her most notable role being Lutiebelle in Purlie, for which she won a Tony Award. In 1970, she won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Purlie, which she portrayed Lutiebelle.
Moore reemerged in Broadway by 1978, when she appeared (as Marsinah) with Eartha Kitt in Timbuktu! but left the show after a few weeks. Moore also came to Broadway in 1995 with a remarkable role in Les Misérables.
Television and acting career
Moore’s interests shifted towards television and film, appearing in shows like ‘The Love Boat’, ‘The Cosby Show’, and ‘Falcon Crest’, as well as starring in her own sitcom, ‘Melba’. She continued to act in films and television, including ‘The Fighting Temptations’ in 2003.
She had made several guest appearances in The David Frost Show (1969), Soul Train (1971), The Mike Douglas Show (1961), Dinah!, Ellis Island and Falcon Crest.
Entrepreneurial ventures and business success
Moore established Melba Moore Inc. in 1966 and has served as its CEO, demonstrating her commitment and interests to manage her career and business interests.
She was also engaged with community service, supporting organizations that help with marriage and relationship issues, women’s shelters, hunger, and domestic violence.
Personal life
Moore’s parents were divorced when she was at the age of 9, where her mother remarried pianist Clement Leroy Moorman. Moore has been married once and has a daughter. She was in a four-year relationship with television star Clifton Davis during the early 1970s. The relationship seemingly failed due to Davis’ drug abuse and mistreatment of Moore. In September 1974, Moore married record manager and business promoter Charles Huggins. Huggins filed suit against Moore after divorcing their 7 years of marriage claiming that she had publicly defamed him by stating that he abused her economically.
Net worth
She had an estimated net worth of $30 thousand in 2024, with her income derived majorly from her music and theatrical career along with her appearances in flim and television shows.
Legacy
In all her active years, Moore has continued to contribute throughout. She has also made massive contributions in society and has been a fighter for equality and civil rights. She has advocated for the rights of African-American children to receive the same education as white children, using her platform to influence change.
Awards
Moore is a four-time Grammy nominee and the winner of the 1970 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance. Moore has received numerous awards, including the Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. In 2025, she received the BLACK ENTERPRISE Legacy Award, recognizing her impact and contributions to the entertainment industry and beyond.
In conclusion, Melba Moore’s journey in the entertainment industry is a validation to her talent, resilience, and adaptability. This shows her flexibility and resilience in all aspects of her career and society.
Frequently asked questions
What is Melba Moore’s net worth?
Moore has an estimated net worth of $30 thousand.
How many Nominations has Moore been in?
Moore has been nominated thrice :
- 1971 Grammy Awards nominee for Best New Artist
- 1977 Grammy Awards nominee for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for “Lean On Me”.
- 1986 Grammy Awards nominee for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female for “Read My Lips”.
How many Awards has Moore won?
She is a Tony Award winner for her musical Purlie.
What is the name of her production company ?
The Hush Productions.
