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Madame Sul-Te-Wan

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

March 7, 1873

Died

February 1, 1959 (age 85)

Place of Birth

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Also Known As

Nellie Wan

Nellie Crawford

Madame Sultewan

Madame Wan

Sul-Te-Wan

Madame Sul-Te-Wan

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

King Kong

Native Handmaiden (uncredited)

1933

Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones

Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)

1954

In Old Chicago

In Old Chicago

Hattie

1938

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)

1916

The Birth of a Nation

The Birth of a Nation

Black Woman (uncredited)

1915

Operator 13

Operator 13

Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)

1934

San Francisco

San Francisco

Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)

1936

Mighty Joe Young

Mighty Joe Young

Young Family Servant (Uncredited)

1949

The Buccaneer

The Buccaneer

Good Luck Charm Vendor

1958

Sullivan's Travels

Sullivan's Travels

Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)

1941

The Story of Seabiscuit

The Story of Seabiscuit

Libby

1949

Why Change Your Wife?

Why Change Your Wife?

Sally's Maid (Uncredited)

1920

Hoodoo Ann

Hoodoo Ann

Black Cindy

1916

Old Wives for New

Old Wives for New

Viola's Maid (uncredited)

1918

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt

Bit Role

1929

Maryland

Maryland

Naomi

1940

Mokey

Mokey

Miss Cully (uncredited)

1942

Ladies They Talk About

Ladies They Talk About

Mustard (uncredited)

1933

Kentucky

Kentucky

Lily

1938

Tarzan of the Apes

Tarzan of the Apes

Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)

1918

Filmography

1958FilmThe Buccaneeras Good Luck Charm Vendor 1958FilmTarzan and the Trappersas Witch Woman 1957FilmBand of Angelsas Flower Vendor (Uncredited)1957FilmSomething of Valueas Midwife (Uncredited)1954FilmCarmen Jonesas Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)1949FilmThe Story of Seabiscuitas Libby 1949FilmMighty Joe Youngas Young Family Servant (Uncredited)1943FilmThank Your Lucky Starsas Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)1943FilmRevenge of the Zombiesas Beulah 1942FilmMokeyas Miss Cully (uncredited)1941FilmSullivan's Travelsas Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)1941FilmKing of the Zombiesas Tahama 1940FilmLove Thy Neighboras Lady McBeth 1940FilmMarylandas Naomi 1940FilmSafarias Native Woman 1939FilmTorchy Blane... Playing with Dynamiteas Ruby (uncredited)1939FilmTell No Talesas Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)1938FilmKentuckyas Lily 1938FilmThe Affairs of Annabelas Benzedrina (uncredited)1938FilmThe Toy Wifeas Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)1938FilmIn Old Chicagoas Hattie 1938FilmIsland in the Skyas Scrubwoman (Uncredited)1937FilmMaid of Salemas Tituba 1936FilmSan Franciscoas Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)1935FilmSo Red the Roseas Slave (Uncredited)1934FilmImitation of Lifeas Cook (uncredited)1934FilmBlack Moonas Ruva 1934FilmOperator 13as Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)1934FilmA Modern Heroas Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)1933FilmKing Kongas Native Handmaiden (uncredited)1933FilmLadies They Talk Aboutas Mustard (uncredited)1932FilmJungle Mysteryas Native Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)1931FilmHeaven on Earthas Voodoo Sue 1931FilmThe Pagan Ladyas Carla the Servant 1930FilmThe Thoroughbredas Sacharine 1930FilmSarah and Sonas Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)1929FilmQueen Kellyas Kali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)1929FilmThunderboltas Bit Role 1929FilmThe Carnation Kidas The Maid (Uncredited)1927FilmUncle Tom's Cabinas Slave at Wedding (uncredited)1927FilmCollegeas Cook (uncredited)1925FilmThe Golden Bedas Boarding House Maid (Uncredited)1925FilmThe Narrow Streetas Easter 1924FilmThe Lightning Rideras Mammy 1922FilmManslaughteras Prison Inmate (uncredited)1922FilmThe Showas Maid (uncredited)1920FilmWhy Change Your Wife?as Sally's Maid (Uncredited)1919FilmHis Musical Sneezeas Maid (uncredited)1918FilmWho's Your Father?as Black Mother (uncredited)1918FilmOld Wives for Newas Viola's Maid (uncredited)1918FilmTarzan of the Apesas Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)1917FilmStage Struckas Uncredited 1916FilmThe Children Payas Uncredited 1916FilmIntolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Agesas Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)1916FilmHoodoo Annas Black Cindy 1915FilmThe Birth of a Nationas Black Woman (uncredited)1915FilmThe Cause of It Allas Mary - The Hotel Cook —FilmSquirrel Foodas Flirt