Acting · Louisville, Kentucky, USA · Born March 7, 1873
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.
MovieThe Buccaneer
1958
as Good Luck Charm Vendor
MovieTarzan and the Trappers
1958
as Witch Woman
MovieBand of Angels
1957
as Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
MovieSomething of Value
1957
as Midwife (Uncredited)
MovieCarmen Jones
1954
as Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
MovieThe Story of Seabiscuit
1949
as Libby
MovieMighty Joe Young
1949
as Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
MovieThank Your Lucky Stars
1943
as Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
MovieRevenge of the Zombies
1943
as Beulah
MovieMokey
1942
as Miss Cully (uncredited)
MovieSullivan's Travels
1941
as Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
MovieKing of the Zombies
1941
as Tahama
MovieLove Thy Neighbor
1940
as Lady McBeth
MovieMaryland
1940
as Naomi
MovieSafari
1940
as Native Woman
MovieTorchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite
1939
as Ruby (uncredited)
MovieTell No Tales
1939
as Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
MovieKentucky
1938
as Lily
MovieThe Affairs of Annabel
1938
as Benzedrina (uncredited)
MovieThe Toy Wife
1938
as Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
MovieIn Old Chicago
1938
as Hattie
MovieIsland in the Sky
1938
as Scrubwoman (Uncredited)
MovieMaid of Salem
1937
as Tituba
MovieSan Francisco
1936
as Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
MovieSo Red the Rose
1935
as Slave (Uncredited)
MovieImitation of Life
1934
as Cook (uncredited)
MovieBlack Moon
1934
as Ruva
MovieOperator 13
1934
as Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)
MovieA Modern Hero
1934
as Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)
MovieKing Kong
1933
as Native Handmaiden (uncredited)
MovieLadies They Talk About
1933
as Mustard (uncredited)
MovieJungle Mystery
1932
as Native Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)
MovieHeaven on Earth
1931
as Voodoo Sue
MovieThe Pagan Lady
1931
as Carla the Servant
MovieThe Thoroughbred
1930
as Sacharine
MovieSarah and Son
1930
as Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
MovieQueen Kelly
1929
as Kali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)
MovieThunderbolt
1929
as Bit Role
MovieThe Carnation Kid
1929
as The Maid (Uncredited)
MovieUncle Tom's Cabin
1927
as Slave at Wedding (uncredited)
MovieCollege
1927
as Cook (uncredited)
MovieThe Golden Bed
1925
as Boarding House Maid (Uncredited)
MovieThe Narrow Street
1925
as Easter
MovieThe Lightning Rider
1924
as Mammy
MovieManslaughter
1922
as Prison Inmate (uncredited)
MovieThe Show
1922
as Maid (uncredited)
MovieWhy Change Your Wife?
1920
as Sally's Maid (Uncredited)
MovieHis Musical Sneeze
1919
as Maid (uncredited)
MovieWho's Your Father?
1918
as Black Mother (uncredited)
MovieOld Wives for New
1918
as Viola's Maid (uncredited)
MovieTarzan of the Apes
1918
as Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
Stage Struck
1917
as Uncredited
MovieThe Children Pay
1916
as Uncredited
MovieIntolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916
as Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
MovieHoodoo Ann
1916
as Black Cindy
MovieThe Birth of a Nation
1915
as Black Woman (uncredited)
The Cause of It All
1915
as Mary - The Hotel Cook
Squirrel Food
as Flirt
