Cast & creator
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Best known for King Kong, The Birth of a Nation, Mighty Joe Young
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.
Also known as: Nellie Wan, Nellie Crawford, Madame Sultewan, Madame Wan, Sul-Te-Wan
58
film credits
0
television credits
58
1915–1960 · acting roles
6.3
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
★ 7.6King Kong
Native Handmaiden (uncredited) · 1933
★ 5.9The Birth of a Nation
Black Woman (uncredited) · 1915
★ 6.4Mighty Joe Young
Young Family Servant (Uncredited) · 1949
★ 6.2Carmen Jones
Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited) · 1954
★ 7.1Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited) · 1916
Across film & television
Filmography (58)
Showing 58 of 58 credits
King Kong
Native Handmaiden (uncredited)
1933The Birth of a Nation
Black Woman (uncredited)
1915Mighty Joe Young
Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
1949Carmen Jones
Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
1954Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
1916
The Buccaneer
Good Luck Charm Vendor
1958
Sullivan's Travels
Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
1941
Thunderbolt
Bit Role
1929
In Old Chicago
Hattie
1938
The Story of Seabiscuit
Libby
1949
Band of Angels
Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
1957
San Francisco
Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
1936
Ladies They Talk About
Mustard (uncredited)
1933
Tarzan of the Apes
Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
1918
King of the Zombies
Tahama
1941
Something of Value
Midwife (Uncredited)
1957
Imitation of Life
Cook (uncredited)
1934
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
1943
Revenge of the Zombies
Beulah
1943
The Toy Wife
Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
1938
Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite
Ruby (uncredited)
1939
So Red the Rose
Slave (Uncredited)
1935
Tarzan and the Trappers
Witch Woman
1960
Old Wives for New
Viola's Maid (uncredited)
1918
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Slave at Wedding (uncredited)
1927
Operator 13
Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)
1934
College
Cook (uncredited)
1927
Hoodoo Ann
Black Cindy
1916
Why Change Your Wife?
Sally's Maid (Uncredited)
1920
Who's Your Father?
Black Mother (uncredited)
1918
The Affairs of Annabel
Benzedrina (uncredited)
1938
Queen Kelly
Kali Sana - Aunt's Cook (uncredited)
1929
Tell No Tales
Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
1939
Maid of Salem
Tituba
1937
The Pagan Lady
Carla the Servant
1931
Maryland
Naomi
1940
Island in the Sky
Scrubwoman (Uncredited)
1938
Heaven on Earth
Voodoo Sue
1931
Sarah and Son
Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
1930
Black Moon
Ruva
1934
A Modern Hero
Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)
1934
Kentucky
Lily
1938
Manslaughter
Prison Inmate (uncredited)
1922
Safari
Native Woman
1940
The Thoroughbred
Sacharine
1930
Jungle Mystery
Native Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)
1932
The Children Pay
Uncredited
1916
Love Thy Neighbor
Lady McBeth
1940
The Narrow Street
Easter
1925
Mokey
Miss Cully (uncredited)
1942
The Lightning Rider
Mammy
1924
The Carnation Kid
The Maid (Uncredited)
1929The Cause of It All
Mary - The Hotel Cook
1915
The Golden Bed
Boarding House Maid (Uncredited)
1925
The Show
Maid (uncredited)
1922
His Musical Sneeze
Maid (uncredited)
1919Stage Struck
Uncredited
1917Squirrel Food
Flirt