Things You Didn't Know About Lena Horne

BET.com lets you know 10 things you may not know about this legendary singer/actor.

Live From Bedford-Stuyvesant - Lena Horne was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn in 1917. Bed-Stuy has become a hot-bed for talent over the years, birthing The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z and cultivating the likes of Chris Rock.

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Live From Bedford-Stuyvesant - Lena Horne was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn in 1917. Bed-Stuy has become a hot-bed for talent over the years, birthing The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z and cultivating the likes of Chris Rock.

First - Horne is the first black performer to sign a long-term contract with a major movie studio. She inked a deal with Metro Goldwyn Mayer and made her debut in 1942's "Panama Hattie."

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First - Horne is the first black performer to sign a long-term contract with a major movie studio. She inked a deal with Metro Goldwyn Mayer and made her debut in 1942's "Panama Hattie."

Filmography - According to IMDB, she starred in seven films from 1938 to 1978, including "Stormy Weather," Cabin in the Sky" and "The Wiz."

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Filmography - According to IMDB, she starred in seven films from 1938 to 1978, including "Stormy Weather," Cabin in the Sky" and "The Wiz."

Guest Star - Horne has appeared on "The Cosby Show," "Sanford & Son" and "A Different World" as herself.

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Guest Star - Horne has appeared on "The Cosby Show," "Sanford & Son" and "A Different World" as herself.

Pledging - She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

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Pledging - She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

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Recognition - She was inducted into the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991 and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Recognition - She was inducted into the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991 and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Fair Skin - According to her autobiography, she photographed extremely light on her first screen tests for Metro Goldwyn Mayer, so much so that the studio feared she'd be mistaken for white. Makeup artist Max Factor apparently created a makeup line called "Dark Egyptian" so Horne could pass as black.

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Fair Skin - According to her autobiography, she photographed extremely light on her first screen tests for Metro Goldwyn Mayer, so much so that the studio feared she'd be mistaken for white. Makeup artist Max Factor apparently created a makeup line called "Dark Egyptian" so Horne could pass as black.

Taking a Stand - She refused to perform for segregated audiences in Italy during World War 2. She was scheduled to do one show for white troops and another one for black soldiers.

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Taking a Stand - She refused to perform for segregated audiences in Italy during World War 2. She was scheduled to do one show for white troops and another one for black soldiers.

Runs in the Family - Horne's granddaughter, Jenny Lumet, wrote the Oscar-nominated "Rachel Getting Married" starring Anne Hathaway.

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Runs in the Family - Horne's granddaughter, Jenny Lumet, wrote the Oscar-nominated "Rachel Getting Married" starring Anne Hathaway.

Livin it Up - Horne lived in the Apthorp apartment on the West Side of New York. Some of her neighbors included Rosie O' Donnell, Cindy Lauper and Conan O'Brien.

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Livin it Up - Horne lived in the Apthorp apartment on the West Side of New York. Some of her neighbors included Rosie O' Donnell, Cindy Lauper and Conan O'Brien.