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doing dramatic sketches with a stock company. During this period, Harris received excellent training in diction and stage delivery through her association with veteran performers. Harris was also an excellent swimmer in high school, and in 1928 she entered the New York Daily News' Swimming Meet and
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Harris was married twice and had no children. Her first marriage was to Edward
Randolph from 1933 until 1938, then to Harlem nightclub owner, Walter Anderson, from 1951 until his death in 1983. Harris dated boxer
193:, Harris parents were Sam, a boxer and customs inspector; Her mother Mary Harris (née Walker) worked as a maid. Harris' family is noted as one of the first families to have migrated to Harlem. Settling near the
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in New York City. She also did character dialect parts on many broadcasts for the
Columbia Workshop Program. Edna Mae Harris got to tell her story in her later years in the documentary,
176:
was an
American actress and singer. Harris, an African–American, was film actress in the late 1930s and early 1940s, appearing in films featuring mostly African–American casts.
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who were frequent visitors to her family home. After being coached on her singing and dancing by Waters and
Russell, Harris began performing in the
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In 1942, she played fourteen weeks at the old Elks' Rendezvous as the mistress of ceremonies and announced a weekly radio show over station
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209:(TOBA). An African-American vaudeville circuit, Harris performed with TOBA from 1929 until 1933.
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sometime during 1939 and 1940. Harris also dated Robert Paquin, who co-starred with her in
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172:(September 29, 1914 – September 15, 1997), sometimes credited as
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197:, Harris was convinced into pursuing a career in show business by
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Harris first real
Hollywood break came when she landed a part in
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297:). Her film credits also include such Hollywood films as
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Blacks in Black and White: A Source Book on Black Films
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in 1939. Between picture commitments she toured with
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Harris attended
Wadleigh High School (later known as
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337:'s Orchestra as a featured vocalist along with
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823:20th-century African-American actresses
159: 1951; died 1983)
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653:Wartts, Adrienne (December 6, 2008).
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402:American Experience: Midnight Ramble
273:. Harris also had leading roles in
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255:), portraying Zeba, starring with
207:Theater Owners Booking Association
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834:
767:
727:, Da Capo Press (1996), p. 136 -
725:Sidney Bechet: The Wizard of Jazz
480:Maid (billed as Edna May Harris)
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818:20th-century American actresses
655:"Edna Mae Harris (1914-1997) •"
600:Rose - Lee's Maid (uncredited)
259:. Harris was a leading lady in
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214:Wadleigh High School for Girls
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327:), and the independent film
237:Harris (left) on poster for
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16:American actress (1910–1997)
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746:"Tralfaz: Wally and Walter"
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585:Zeba (as Edna May Harris)
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615:Black Woman (uncredited)
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505:The Notorious Elinor Lee
290:The Notorious Elinor Lee
803:American film actresses
363:Personal life and death
460:Murder on Lenox Avenue
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422:Mirandy (uncredited)
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185:Early life and career
225:won a championship.
132: 1933;
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78:New York City, U.S.
62:New York City, U.S.
813:People from Harlem
703:Sampson, Henry T.
630:Lulu (uncredited)
595:Bullets or Ballots
580:The Green Pastures
520:Paradise in Harlem
446:Legs Ain't No Good
432:Stage Door Canteen
330:Paradise in Harlem
300:Bullets or Ballots
248:The Green Pastures
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71:September 15, 1997
59:September 29, 1914
707:(1997), p. 218 -
680:"Edna Mae Harris"
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73:(1997-09-15)
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798:1997 deaths
793:1914 births
525:Doll Davis
407:as Herself
382:Filmography
84:Occupations
787:Categories
755:January 5,
640:References
535:Lying Lips
375:Lying Lips
339:Lena Horne
280:Lying Lips
239:Lying Lips
55:1914-09-29
40:Lying Lips
37:Harris in
370:Joe Louis
271:Joe Louis
218:Manhattan
180:Biography
104:1931–1945
450:Actress
189:Born in
750:Tralfaz
664:July 3,
465:Singer
317:), and
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241:(1939.)
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191:Harlem
93:singer
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410:1994
395:Year
392:Role
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757:2023
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684:IMDb
666:2023
610:Fury
357:1994
347:WMCA
341:and
325:1936
315:1936
305:1936
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
