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  • BIRTH 07/03/1873
  • DEATH 01/02/1959
  • Country United States
  • MOVIES 11

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.

Madame Sul-Te-Wan

Movies (11)

Band of Angels
Band of Angels
Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
Carmen Jones
Carmen Jones
Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
College
College
Cook (uncredited)
Maid of Salem
Maid of Salem
Tituba
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt
Bit Role
In Old Chicago
In Old Chicago
Hattie
The Affairs of Annabel
The Affairs of Annabel
Benzedrina (uncredited)
Tarzan and the Trappers
Tarzan and the Trappers
Witch Woman
Sarah and Son
Sarah and Son
Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
Kentucky
Kentucky
Lily
Tarzan of the Apes
Tarzan of the Apes
Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)