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.
Top Filmography
King Kong
1933 // MOVIE
The Birth of a Nation
1915 // MOVIE
Sullivan's Travels
1941 // MOVIE
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916 // MOVIE
College
1927 // MOVIE
Mighty Joe Young
1949 // MOVIE
Carmen Jones
1954 // MOVIE
Imitation of Life
1934 // MOVIE
San Francisco
1936 // MOVIE
King of the Zombies
1941 // MOVIE
Queen Kelly
1929 // MOVIE
The Buccaneer
1958 // MOVIE
In Old Chicago
1938 // MOVIE
Band of Angels
1957 // MOVIE
Ladies They Talk About
1933 // MOVIE