… Horne lived in Manhattan, and her death was announced by son-in-law Kevin Buckley. Enjoy. It's amazing to think that Lena Horne, the first black performer to be signed to a long-term contract by a major Hollywood studio, died Sunday night at the age of 92. you will be missed. In 1964, Cuban filmmaker Santiago Alvarez cut a five minute political film called "Now," a montage of Civil Rights-era photos and newsclips set to the sound of Horne singing the titular song as a call to arms for those who would stand against injustice. Horne's politics led to her being blacklisted in the later part of life, recording into the 1990s and winning several Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award in.