Biography
Madame Sul-Te-Wan (born Nellie Crawford; March 7, 1873 β 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
all 32
Movies 32
Tahama in 'King of the Zombies'
Horrible Horror (1986)
Movie
Witch Woman
Tarzan and the Trappers (1958)
Movie
6
Beulah
Revenge of the Zombies (1943)
Movie
3.67
Tahama
King of the Zombies (1941)
Movie
1
Lady McBeth
Love Thy Neighbor (1940)
Movie
Naomi
Maryland (1940)
Movie
Native Woman
Safari (1940)
Movie
Ruby (uncredited)
Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite (1939)
Movie
Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
Tell No Tales (1939)
Movie
Lily
Kentucky (1938)
Movie
Benzedrina (uncredited)
The Affairs of Annabel (1938)
Movie
Hattie
In Old Chicago (1938)
Movie
Tituba
Maid of Salem (1937)
Movie
Cook (uncredited)
Imitation of Life (1934)
Movie
Ruva
Black Moon (1934)
Movie
6
Voodoo Sue
Heaven on Earth (1931)
Movie
Carla the Servant
The Pagan Lady (1931)
Movie
Sacharine
The Thoroughbred (1930)
Movie
Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
Sarah and Son (1930)
Movie
Bit Role
Thunderbolt (1929)
Movie
Slave at Wedding (uncredited)
Uncle Tom's Cabin (1927)
Movie
Easter
The Narrow Street (1925)
Movie
Mammy
The Lightning Rider (1924)
Movie
Prison Inmate (uncredited)
Manslaughter (1922)
Movie
Maid (uncredited)
The Show (1922)
Movie
Maid
His Musical Sneeze (1919)
Movie
Black Mother
Who's Your Father? (1918)
Movie
Viola's Maid (uncredited)
Old Wives for New (1918)
Movie
Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
Movie
Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916)
Movie
6
Black Cindy
Hoodoo Ann (1916)
Movie
Black Woman
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
Movie
3
Ratings
Average 5.43
Based on 64.6 Thousand movie and tv ratings over time
1915
1922
1931
1930
1986
Information
Known ForActing
GenderFemale
Birthday1873-03-07
Deathday1959-02-01 (85 years old)
Birth NameNellie Crawford
Birth PlaceLouisville, United States of America
ChildrenOnest Conley
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsNellie Wan, Nellie Crawford
AwardsBlack Filmmakers Hall of Fame
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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