Cleo Desmond
Cleo Desmond | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Minnie Matilda Hatfield April 25, 1880 |
| Died | October 6, 1958 (aged 78) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
Cleo Desmond (born Minnie Matilda Hatfield, April 25, 1880 – October 6, 1958) was an American actress and vaudeville performer who had a long career on the stage and screen.[1]
She began acting and performing at a young age, appearing in plays and in vaudeville acts as early as 1903 under the stage name Cleo Desmond. She gained nationwide attention as a member of the Lafayette Players. She and Andrew S. Bishop drew adoring fans to their theatrical performances.[2]
She eventually won some film roles and was cast in several of Oscar Micheaux's films.[1][3][4]
Selected filmography
- Mokey (1942)
- Mr. Washington Goes to Town (1941)
- Am I Guilty? (1940)
- Spirit of Youth (1938)
- The Millionaire (1927)
- Deceit (1923)
- The Easiest Way (1917)
References
- ^ a b Peterson, Bernard L. (2001). Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816-1960. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313295348.
- ^ Hill, Errol; Hatch, James V. (July 17, 2003). A History of African American Theatre. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521624435 – via Google Books.
- ^ Simms ̓blue Book and National Negro Business and Professional Directory. James N. Simms. 1923.
- ^ Hill, Errol (2000-04-01). The Theatre of Black Americans: A Collection of Critical Essays. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781476841571.