films: Pam Grier, Marilyn Joi, Carol Speed,īrenda Sykes, Judy Pace, and so many others. Often unsung B-film actresses who never hadĪ chance to show what they would have beenĬapable of in starring roles in mainstream History should be reconfirmed, reassessed and The peak of their careers, is now in danger ofīeing ignored, underrated, or forgotten. Should be a prominent part of film studiesīe acknowledged as part of the popular culture.Īctresses whose work, while acknowledged at The pantheon of black actresses? The modernĮra starts with Dandridge. As for Dorothyĭandridge, how do you overstate her place in Woman to win an Oscar - was a force of nature who became the preeminent black female film star of her era. The controversial Imitation of Life (1934)-īut Washington was not ready to play Hollywood’s game, and did not need Hollywood’s approval to make a lasting artistic Showcase her talent and beauty in the Hollywood system after her starring role as Peola in Her due as the first near-breakthrough black Despite the obstacles, AnitaĮverett, Diahann Carroll and others have leftĭoors - however slowly, however slightly.įredi Washington should especially be given
The path to Hollywood stardom was thoroughly blocked. first goal was to acknowledge the contributions of pioneering black actresses, especiallyįrom the silent era to the 1940s, a time when
It is a celebration of talent, fortitude, This book focuses on positive achievement. I excluded some of the new generation of actresses because there was aĮntries, since there are so many more opportunities for black actresses these days. The potential for sustained careers - e.g., A small but significant group of actresses.Then there are the Caribbean-born actresses who are or were American citizensĪcted extensively in America, including a YearwoodĪnd the staff of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture,Īstor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, Adam Robinson, Hattie WinstonĪnd Lark Voorhees for that killer head shot!Īre American citizens or have dual citizenships. My thanks to Tom Lisanti of the New York Public Library Photographic Services and Permissions, Katrina Groover, Mary F. Manufactured in the United States of America Without permission in writing from the publisher.įront cover: Eartha Kitt background ©2010 Shutterstock. Or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, Or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form African American actresses - Biography - Dictionaries.īritish Library cataloguing data are available Illustrated case binding : 50# alkaline paperġ.
Includes bibliographical references and index. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATAĮncyclopedia of African American actresses Shortly after completing the manuscript for this book. Publisher’s Note: Bob McCann died in 2009,