Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Acting
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.
Filmography
Acting (58)
1960
Tarzan and the Trappersas Witch Woman
4.2
1958
The Buccaneeras Good Luck Charm Vendor
6.5
1957
Band of Angelsas Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
6.3
1957
Something of Valueas Midwife (Uncredited)
5.5
1954
Carmen Jonesas Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
6.2
1949
The Story of Seabiscuitas Libby
6.0
1949
Mighty Joe Youngas Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
6.4
1943
Thank Your Lucky Starsas Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
6.2
1943
Revenge of the Zombiesas Beulah
5.4
1942
Mokeyas Miss Cully (uncredited)
6.7
1941
Sullivan's Travelsas Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
7.4
1941
King of the Zombiesas Tahama
5.2
1940
Love Thy Neighboras Lady McBeth
7.3
1940
Marylandas Naomi
6.5
1940
Safarias Native Woman
6.5
1939
Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamiteas Ruby (uncredited)
6.8
1939
Tell No Talesas Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
5.4
1938
Kentuckyas Lily
6.1
1938
The Affairs of Annabelas Benzedrina (uncredited)
5.4
1938
The Toy Wifeas Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
5.0
1938
In Old Chicagoas Hattie
6.7
1938
Island in the Skyas Scrubwoman (Uncredited)
7.0
1937
Maid of Salemas Tituba
6.2
1936
San Franciscoas Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
6.6
1935
So Red the Roseas Slave (Uncredited)
7.8
1934
Imitation of Lifeas Cook (uncredited)
7.0
1934
Black Moonas Ruva
5.5
1934
Operator 13as Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)
5.9
1934
A Modern Heroas Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)
7.0
1933
King Kongas Native Handmaiden (uncredited)
7.6
1933
Ladies They Talk Aboutas Mustard (uncredited)
6.1
1932
Jungle Mysteryas Native Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)
7.0
1931
Heaven on Earthas Voodoo Sue
5.3
1931
The Pagan Ladyas Carla the Servant
4.0
1930
The Thoroughbredas Sacharine
5.4
1930
Sarah and Sonas Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
5.5
1929
Queen Kellyas Kali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)
6.5
1929
Thunderboltas Bit Role
5.7
1929
The Carnation Kidas The Maid (Uncredited)
10.0
1927
Uncle Tom's Cabinas Slave at Wedding (uncredited)
6.8
1927
Collegeas Cook (uncredited)
6.7
1925
The Golden Bedas Boarding House Maid (Uncredited)
4.0
1925
The Narrow Streetas Easter
8.0
1924
The Lightning Rideras Mammy
9.0
1922
Manslaughteras Prison Inmate (uncredited)
5.5
1922
The Showas Maid (uncredited)
7.0
1920
Why Change Your Wife?as Sally's Maid (Uncredited)
5.6
1919
His Musical Sneezeas Maid (uncredited)
6.3
1918
Who's Your Father?as Black Mother (uncredited)
1918
Old Wives for Newas Viola's Maid (uncredited)
6.4
1918
Tarzan of the Apesas Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
5.3
1917
Stage Struckas Uncredited
9.0
1916
The Children Payas Uncredited
1916
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Agesas Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
7.1
1916
Hoodoo Annas Black Cindy
5.6
1915
The Birth of a Nationas Black Woman (uncredited)
5.9
1915
The Cause of It Allas Mary - The Hotel Cook
—
Squirrel Foodas Flirt