About
She became widely known as the First Lady of the Silver Screen in the black community, and was the first non-white actress to become a Hollywood star.
Before Fame
She was on the vaudeville stage before meeting provocative director Oscar Micheaux, who cast her in his 1919 film Homesteader.
Trivia
Starring in films that challenged black stereotypes, she became an ambassador for race relations both on and off the screen.
Family Life
She met her future husband, Edward Thompson, when both were in Chicago with the Lafayette Players.
Associated With
Also a talented singer, she performed with Duke Ellington when he was starting his career.
