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Edna Mae Harris

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
14

Gender
Female

Birthday
September 29, 1910 (115 years old)

Place of Birth
New York City, New York, USA

Edna Mae Harris

Biography

Edna Mae Harris was one of the best-known Black actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. She starred in many all-black cast independently produced movies of the day. An attractive woman who had a soulful voice, personality and sex appeal, she could sing, dance and act. The personification of a Harlem performer, Edna found fame by playing in both stage and screen versions of The Green Pastures (1936) as Zeba. Audiences loved her, and she received glorious reviews, so it was no surprise when Hollywood asked her to repeat her role on screen to wide acclaim. Edna Mae was very much in demand starring in some of the top Black movies such as Spirit of Youth (1938), Paradise in Harlem (1939), Sunday Sinners (1940), The Notorious Elinor Lee (1940), and Tall, Tan, and Terrific (1946), showing her excellent acting skills in drama and comedy. Edna Mae Harris got to tell her story in her later years in the documentary, Midnight Ramble (1994), about independently produced Black films.

Known For

Acting

1994Midnight Rambleas Self - Actress
1981I Remember Harlemas self
1943Stage Door Canteenas Sun Tan Girl (uncredited)
1942Legs Ain't No Goodas
1940Stolen Paradiseas Maid
1940Sunday Sinnersas Corrine Aiken
1940The Notorious Elinor Leeas Fredi Welsh
1939Lying Lipsas Elsie Bellwood
1939Paradise in Harlemas Doll Davis
1938Spirit of Youthas Mary Bowdin
1936The Green Pasturesas Zeba
1936Bullets or Ballotsas Rose - Lee's Maid (uncredited)
1936Private Numberas Lulu (Uncredited)
1936Furyas Black Woman (uncredited)

Production