Hemsley, Estelle (1887–1968)

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Hemsley, Estelle (1887–1968)

African-American stage and screen actress. Born May 5, 1887, in Boston, MA; died Nov 5, 1968, in Hollywood, CA.

Began career as a dancer at Luna Park in Coney Island; toured with successful black companies, including Sisseretta Jones' Black Patti's Troubadours and Sid Archer's Chocolate Drops; on Broadway, appeared in Darktown Follies, Harvey, Take a Giant Step, Tobacco Road and Mrs. Patterson; films include Harvey, Tobacco Road, Traveling Lady, America, America! and Baby, the Rain Must Fall; had a long stint on radio on "Pretty Kitty Kelly." Nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Take a Giant Step (1960).