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.

Cast

The Narrow Street

Who's Your Father?

Black Mother (uncredited)

Carla the Servant

Tarzan of the Apes

Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Slave at Wedding (uncredited)

Prison Inmate (uncredited)

The Thoroughbred

The Affairs of Annabel

Benzedrina (uncredited)

Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)

Heaven on Earth

Tarzan and the Trappers

Revenge of the Zombies

Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)

Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite

Ruby (uncredited)

Cook (uncredited)

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)

Old Wives for New

Viola's Maid (uncredited)

Love Thy Neighbor

Thank Your Lucky Stars

Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)

Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)

Island in the Sky

Scrubwoman (Uncredited)

So Red the Rose

Slave (Uncredited)

Native Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)

Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)

Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)

Native Handmaiden (uncredited)

Ladies They Talk About

Mustard (uncredited)

The Cause of It All

Mary - The Hotel Cook

The Children Pay

Why Change Your Wife?

Sally's Maid (Uncredited)

The Carnation Kid

The Maid (Uncredited)

Kali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)

Boarding House Maid (Uncredited)

His Musical Sneeze

Maid (uncredited)

The Story of Seabiscuit

Mighty Joe Young

Young Family Servant (Uncredited)

Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)

Good Luck Charm Vendor

Flower Vendor (Uncredited)

Miss Cully (uncredited)

Something of Value

Midwife (Uncredited)

Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)

Sullivan's Travels

Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)

King of the Zombies

The Birth of a Nation

Black Woman (uncredited)

The Lightning Rider

Imitation of Life

Cook (uncredited)

Maid (uncredited)