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.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances
The Narrow Street
as Easter
1925
Black Moon
as Ruva
1934
Who's Your Father?
as Black Mother (uncredited)
1918
The Pagan Lady
as Carla the Servant
1931
Tarzan of the Apes
as Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
1918
In Old Chicago
as Hattie
1938
Uncle Tom's Cabin
as Slave at Wedding (uncredited)
1927
Manslaughter
as Prison Inmate (uncredited)
1922
The Thoroughbred
as Sacharine
1930
The Affairs of Annabel
as Benzedrina (uncredited)
1938
Tell No Tales
as Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
1939
Heaven on Earth
as Voodoo Sue
1931
Tarzan and the Trappers
as Witch Woman
1958
Revenge of the Zombies
as Beulah
1943
Kentucky
as Lily
1938
Thunderbolt
as Bit Role
1929
Maid of Salem
as Tituba
1937
Sarah and Son
as Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
1930
Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite
as Ruby (uncredited)
1939
College
as Cook (uncredited)
1927