Madame Sul-Te-Wan
ActingAlso Known As
Nellie Wan, Nellie Crawford, Madame Sultewan, Madame Wan, 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.
Movies
(58 total)
King Kong
as Native Handmaiden (uncredited)
The Birth of a Nation
as Black Woman (uncredited)
Sullivan's Travels
as Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
as Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
College
as Cook (uncredited)
Mighty Joe Young
as Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
Carmen Jones
as Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
Imitation of Life
as Cook (uncredited)
San Francisco
as Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
King of the Zombies
as Tahama
Queen Kelly
as Kali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)
The Buccaneer
as Good Luck Charm Vendor
In Old Chicago
as Hattie
Band of Angels
as Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
Ladies They Talk About
as Mustard (uncredited)
Thank Your Lucky Stars
as Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
Black Moon
as Ruva
Thunderbolt
as Bit Role
Revenge of the Zombies
as Beulah
Tarzan of the Apes
as Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)