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.
Filmography
King Kong
Operator 13
The Birth of a Nation
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Sullivan's Travels
Band of Angels
Mighty Joe Young
The Buccaneer
College
Something of Value
Imitation of Life
San Francisco
Carmen Jones
Black Moon
Maid of Salem
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Mokey
Safari
In Old Chicago
The Story of Seabiscuit
Thunderbolt
King of the Zombies
So Red the Rose
The Affairs of Annabel
Tarzan and the Trappers
Kentucky
Queen Kelly
Manslaughter
Maryland
Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite