Edna Mae Harris facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edna Mae Harris
Harris in Lying Lips, 1939
Born	(1914-09-29)September 29, 1914 Harlem, New York City, U.S.
Died	September 15, 1997(1997-09-15) (aged 82) New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1931–1946
Spouse(s)	Edward Randolph ​ ​ (m. 1933; div. 1938)​ Walter Anderson ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 1983)​

Edna Mae Harris (born September 29, 1914 – died September 15, 1997) was a talented American actress and singer. She was also known as Edna May Harris. Edna Mae was one of the most important African-American film actresses in the late 1930s and early 1940s. She often appeared in movies that had mostly African-American actors.

About Edna Mae Harris

Her Early Life and Start in Acting

Edna Mae Harris was born in Harlem, a famous neighborhood in New York City. Her father, Sam, was a boxer and worked for customs. Her mother, Mary Harris, worked as a maid. Her family was one of the first to move to Harlem.

They lived near the Lafayette Theater. Famous performers Ethel Waters and Maud Russell often visited her home. They encouraged Edna Mae to become an entertainer. They helped her learn to sing and dance.

Edna Mae then started performing in the Theatre Owners Booking Association (TOBA). This was a special vaudeville circuit for African-American performers. She performed with TOBA from 1929 to 1933.

Edna Mae went to Wadleigh High School in Manhattan. During the summer after her second year, she worked at the Alhambra Theater. There, she performed in short plays with a group of actors. This helped her learn how to speak clearly and act on stage. Edna Mae was also a great swimmer in high school. In 1928, she won a championship in a swimming competition.

Her Acting Career

Edna Mae Harris got her first big chance in Hollywood in the movie The Green Pastures (1936). She played a character named Zeba and acted alongside Eddie "Rochester" Anderson.

She also played the main female role in Spirit of Youth (1938). This movie told the story of a boxer named Joe Thomas. His life in the movie was similar to the real-life boxer Joe Louis.

Harris (left) on poster for Lying Lips (1939.)

Edna Mae also had important roles in movies made by Oscar Micheaux. These included Lying Lips (1939) and The Notorious Elinor Lee (1940). She also appeared in other Hollywood films like Bullets or Ballots (1936) and Private Number (1936). Another movie she was in was Garden of Allah (1936). She also acted in the independent film Paradise in Harlem in 1939.

When she wasn't filming, she toured as a singer with Noble Sissle's Orchestra. Other singers like Lena Horne and Billy Banks also performed with them. In 1942, she was the host at the Elks' Rendezvous for fourteen weeks. She also announced a weekly radio show on station WMCA in New York City. She was also known for doing different character voices on radio shows.

Later in her life, Edna Mae Harris shared her story in a documentary called Midnight Ramble (1994). This film was about movies made by independent black filmmakers.

Her Personal Life

Edna Mae Harris was married two times. Her first marriage was to Edward Randolph from 1933 to 1938. Her second marriage was to Walter Anderson, who owned a nightclub in Harlem. They were married from 1951 until he passed away in 1983.

Her Passing

Edna Mae Harris passed away from a heart attack on September 15, 1997. She was 82 years old.

Movies She Was In