Person
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Acting · 1873–1959 · Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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.
Known for
King Kong
Native Handmaiden (uncredited)
Mighty Joe Young
Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
The Birth of a Nation
Black Woman (uncredited)
Sullivan's Travels
Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
Carmen Jones
Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
The Buccaneer
Good Luck Charm Vendor
Band of Angels
Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
Imitation of Life
Cook (uncredited)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
San Francisco
Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
Filmography
- 1958The BuccaneerGood Luck Charm Vendor
- 1958Tarzan and the TrappersWitch Woman
- 1957Band of AngelsFlower Vendor (Uncredited)
- 1957Something of ValueMidwife (Uncredited)
- 1954Carmen JonesHagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
- 1949The Story of SeabiscuitLibby
- 1949Mighty Joe YoungYoung Family Servant (Uncredited)
- 1943Thank Your Lucky StarsBit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
- 1943Revenge of the ZombiesBeulah
- 1942MokeyMiss Cully (uncredited)
- 1941Sullivan's TravelsChurch Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
- 1941King of the ZombiesTahama
- 1940Love Thy NeighborLady McBeth
- 1940MarylandNaomi
- 1940SafariNative Woman
- 1939Torchy Blane... Playing with DynamiteRuby (uncredited)
- 1939Tell No TalesJim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
- 1938KentuckyLily
- 1938The Affairs of AnnabelBenzedrina (uncredited)
- 1938The Toy WifeEve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
- 1938In Old ChicagoHattie
- 1938Island in the SkyScrubwoman (Uncredited)
- 1937Maid of SalemTituba
- 1936San FranciscoEarthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
- 1935So Red the RoseSlave (Uncredited)
- 1934Imitation of LifeCook (uncredited)
- 1934Black MoonRuva
- 1934Operator 13Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)
- 1934A Modern HeroMme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)
- 1933King KongNative Handmaiden (uncredited)
- 1933Ladies They Talk AboutMustard (uncredited)
- 1932Jungle MysteryNative Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)
- 1931Heaven on EarthVoodoo Sue
- 1931The Pagan LadyCarla the Servant
- 1930The ThoroughbredSacharine
- 1930Sarah and SonBelloc's Maid (Uncredited)
- 1929Queen KellyKali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)
- 1929ThunderboltBit Role
- 1929The Carnation KidThe Maid (Uncredited)
- 1927Uncle Tom's CabinSlave at Wedding (uncredited)
- 1927CollegeCook (uncredited)
- 1925The Golden BedBoarding House Maid (Uncredited)
- 1925The Narrow StreetEaster
- 1924The Lightning RiderMammy
- 1922ManslaughterPrison Inmate (uncredited)
- 1922The ShowMaid (uncredited)
- 1920Why Change Your Wife?Sally's Maid (Uncredited)
- 1919His Musical SneezeMaid (uncredited)
- 1918Who's Your Father?Black Mother (uncredited)
- 1918Old Wives for NewViola's Maid (uncredited)
- 1918Tarzan of the ApesEsmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
- 1917Stage StruckUncredited
- 1916The Children PayUncredited
- 1916Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the AgesGirl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
- 1916Hoodoo AnnBlack Cindy
- 1915The Birth of a NationBlack Woman (uncredited)
- 1915The Cause of It AllMary - The Hotel Cook
- —Squirrel FoodFlirt
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