Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Acting
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
1958Tarzan and the Trappers
Witch Woman
1958The Buccaneer
Good Luck Charm Vendor
1957Band of Angels
Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
1957Something of Value
Midwife (Uncredited)
1954Carmen Jones
Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
1949The Story of Seabiscuit
Libby
1949Mighty Joe Young
Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
1943Revenge of the Zombies
Beulah
1943Thank Your Lucky Stars
Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
1942Mokey
Miss Cully (uncredited)
1941Sullivan's Travels
Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
1941King of the Zombies
Tahama
1940Love Thy Neighbor
Lady McBeth
1940Maryland
Naomi
1940Safari
Native Woman
1939Tell No Tales
Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
1939Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite
Ruby (uncredited)
1938In Old Chicago
Hattie
1938The Affairs of Annabel
Benzedrina (uncredited)
1938Kentucky
Lily
1938Island in the Sky
Scrubwoman (Uncredited)
1938The Toy Wife
Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
1937Maid of Salem
Tituba
1936San Francisco
Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)