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

Fury

as Black Woman (uncredited)

Bullets or Ballots

as Rose - Lee's Maid (uncredited)

The Green Pastures

as Zeba

Stage Door Canteen

as Sun Tan Girl (uncredited)

Spirit of Youth

as Mary Bowdin

Paradise in Harlem

as Doll Davis

Lying Lips

as Elsie Bellwood

Private Number

as Lulu (Uncredited)

The Notorious Elinor Lee

as Fredi Welsh

Stolen Paradise

as Maid