Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Madame Sul-Te-Wan (born Nellie Crawford; March 7, 1873 – February 1, 1959) was the first African-American actress to sign a film contract and be a featured performer. She was an American stage, film and television actress for over 50 years. The daughter of former slaves, she began her career in entertainment touring the East Coast with various theatrical companies and moved to California to become a member of the fledgling film community. She became known as a character actress, appeared in high-profile films such as The Birth of a Nation (1915) and Intolerance (1916), and easily navigated the transition to the sound films.
In 1986, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
Filmography
Tarzan and the Trappers
1960
as Witch Woman
The Buccaneer
1958
as Good Luck Charm Vendor
Band of Angels
1957
as Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
Something of Value
1957
as Midwife (Uncredited)
Carmen Jones
1954
as Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
The Story of Seabiscuit
1949
as Libby
Mighty Joe Young
1949
as Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
Thank Your Lucky Stars
1943
as Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
Revenge of the Zombies
1943
as Beulah
Mokey
1942
as Miss Cully (uncredited)
Sullivan's Travels
1941
as Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
King of the Zombies
1941
as Tahama
Love Thy Neighbor
1940
as Lady McBeth
Maryland
1940
as Naomi
Safari
1940
as Native Woman
Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite
1939
as Ruby (uncredited)
Tell No Tales
1939
as Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
Kentucky
1938
as Lily
The Affairs of Annabel
1938
as Benzedrina (uncredited)
The Toy Wife
1938
as Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
In Old Chicago
1938
as Hattie
Island in the Sky
1938
as Scrubwoman (Uncredited)
Maid of Salem
1937
as Tituba
San Francisco
1936
as Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)