Francine Everett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francine Everett
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Everett in Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. (1946)
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| Born |
Franciene Williamson
April 15, 1915 |
| Died | May 27, 1999 (aged 84) The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1939–1950 |
| Spouse(s) | Booker Everett (m. 1933; div. 19??) |
Francine Everett (born Franciene Williamson; April 13, 1915 – May 27, 1999) was a talented American actress and singer. She was famous for her roles in "race films." These were movies made independently with all-black casts. They were shown in cinemas that served African-American audiences during a time of segregation.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Growing Up in North Carolina
Francine Everett was born Franciene Williamson in Louisburg, North Carolina, in 1915. Her father, Noah, worked as a tailor. She grew up in a time when opportunities for black actors were limited.
Early Marriages and Acting Studies
When she was 18, in 1933, she married Booker Everett. This marriage later ended. She then married actor Rex Ingram. However, their marriage also ended after three years in 1939. Francine studied acting in Harlem, New York. She was part of the Federal Theater. This program was supported by the Works Progress Administration. It helped artists find work during the Great Depression.
A Star on Screen and Stage
Key Film Roles
Francine Everett starred in several important films. These included Paradise in Harlem (1939) and Keep Punching (1939). In Keep Punching, she acted alongside Canada Lee and Dooley Wilson. She also appeared in Big Timers (1945) with Moms Mabley and Stepin Fetchit. Other notable films were Tall, Tan and Terrific (1946) and Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. (1946). The latter was directed by Spencer Williams.
Singing and Modeling Career
Besides acting, Francine was also a singer. She appeared in over 50 short musical films in the 1940s. One famous film was Ebony Parade (1947). It featured stars like Dorothy Dandridge, Cab Calloway, and the Count Basie band. Francine also worked as a model. Her pictures appeared in advertisements for clothes and makeup.
Brief Time in Hollywood
Francine Everett had a short experience in Hollywood. She went there in the mid-1930s with her husband, Rex Ingram. However, she refused to take on roles that were demeaning or stereotypical for black actors. After her role in Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A., she had small parts in two Hollywood movies. These were Lost Boundaries (1949) and No Way Out (1950). No Way Out was Sidney Poitier's first film.
"Most Beautiful Woman in Harlem"
At the peak of her career, a newspaper columnist called her "the most beautiful woman in Harlem." This was in The Amsterdam News, a black-owned newspaper in New York City. Filmmaker William Greaves once said about her: "She would have been a superstar in Hollywood if it weren't for the apartheid climate in America and the movie industry at the time." This means racial segregation limited her opportunities.
Later Years and Legacy
Life After Acting
After leaving the entertainment world, Francine Everett took a job. She worked as a clerk at Harlem Hospital in New York. She retired from her hospital job in 1985. In her later years, she often spoke about race films. She shared her experiences at events held by the International Agency for Minority Artist Affairs.
Passing Away
Francine Everett passed away at a nursing home in The Bronx, New York. She was 84 years old. Her death occurred on May 27, 1999.
