Madame Sul-Te-Wan
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 (57 titles)
6.5MovieThe Buccaneer
Good Luck Charm Vendor · 1958
4.2MovieTarzan and the Trappers
Witch Woman · 1958
6.3MovieBand of Angels
Flower Vendor (Uncredited) · 1957
5.5MovieSomething of Value
Midwife (Uncredited) · 1957
6.2MovieCarmen Jones
Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited) · 1954
6.0MovieThe Story of Seabiscuit
Libby · 1949
6.4MovieMighty Joe Young
Young Family Servant (Uncredited) · 1949
6.2MovieThank Your Lucky Stars
Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited) · 1943
5.4MovieRevenge of the Zombies
Beulah · 1943
6.7MovieMokey
Miss Cully (uncredited) · 1942
7.4MovieSullivan's Travels
Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited) · 1941
5.2MovieKing of the Zombies
Tahama · 1941
7.3MovieLove Thy Neighbor
Lady McBeth · 1940
6.5MovieMaryland
Naomi · 1940
6.5MovieSafari
Native Woman · 1940
6.8MovieTorchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite
Ruby (uncredited) · 1939
5.4MovieTell No Tales
Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited) · 1939
6.1MovieKentucky
Lily · 1938
5.4MovieThe Affairs of Annabel
Benzedrina (uncredited) · 1938
5.0MovieThe Toy Wife
Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited) · 1938
6.7MovieIn Old Chicago
Hattie · 1938
7.0MovieIsland in the Sky
Scrubwoman (Uncredited) · 1938
6.2MovieMaid of Salem
Tituba · 1937
6.6MovieSan Francisco
Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited) · 1936
7.7MovieSo Red the Rose
Slave (Uncredited) · 1935
7.0MovieImitation of Life
Cook (uncredited) · 1934
5.5MovieBlack Moon
Ruva · 1934
5.9MovieOperator 13
Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited) · 1934
7.0MovieA Modern Hero
Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited) · 1934
7.6MovieKing Kong
Native Handmaiden (uncredited) · 1933