Actor
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
March 7, 1873 · Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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.
Notable work
Often works with
Fay Wray
3 titles together
King Kong, Black Moon, Thunderbolt
Robert Armstrong
2 titles together
King Kong, Mighty Joe Young
James Flavin
2 titles together
King Kong, Mighty Joe Young
Lillian Gish
2 titles together
The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Mae Marsh
2 titles together
The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Mary Alden
2 titles together
The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Full filmography · 55
The Buccaneer
as Good Luck Charm Vendor
19586.5
Tarzan and the Trappers
as Witch Woman
19584.2
Band of Angels
as Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
19576.3
Something of Value
as Midwife (Uncredited)
19575.5
Carmen Jones
as Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
19546.2
The Story of Seabiscuit
as Libby
1949
Mighty Joe Young
as Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
19496.4
Thank Your Lucky Stars
as Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
19436.2
Revenge of the Zombies
as Beulah
19435.4
Mokey
as Miss Cully (uncredited)
1942
Sullivan's Travels
as Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
19417.4
King of the Zombies
as Tahama
19415.2