Hilda Simms facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hilda Simms
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Simms in 1944
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| Born |
Hilda Moses
April 15, 1918 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Died | February 6, 1994 (aged 75) Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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| Other names | Julie Riccardo |
| Years active | 1943–1963 |
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Notable work
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Anna Lucasta |
| Spouse(s) |
William Simms
(m. 1941; div. 1941)Richard Angarola
(m. 1948) |
Hilda Simms (born Hilda Moses) was an American actress. She was famous for her main role in the Broadway play Anna Lucasta. She was born on April 15, 1918, and passed away on February 6, 1994.
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Discovering Hilda Simms' Early Life
Hilda Moses was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was one of nine children in her family. Her parents, Emile and Lydia Moses, were Roman Catholics.
Hilda and her siblings grew up as strong Catholics. They walked several miles to school each morning. They attended the Basilica of St. Mary.
Before becoming an actress, Hilda wanted to be a teacher. She studied drama at the University of Minnesota. However, she had to leave because she ran out of money.
Hilda Simms' Acting Journey
Hilda moved to New York City. There, she acted in radio shows. She also joined the American Negro Theater. This is where she gained professional acting experience. She helped with sound effects, props, and publicity. This helped her learn about acting. In New York, she met and married William Simms. She took his last name. Even after their divorce, she kept Simms as her professional name.
Breaking Barriers on Broadway
In 1943, Hilda Simms got the main role in a play called Anna Lucasta. Philip Yordan first wrote the play for an all-white cast. But the American Negro Theater produced it with an all-Black cast. This was a huge success.
The play moved to Broadway in 1944. It was one of the first dramas to feature African American actors. The story was not about race. When the play toured in other countries, Hilda kept her role. She also sang in Paris nightclubs. She used the name Julie Riccardo for her singing.
Moving to Film and Facing Challenges
In 1947, Hilda met and married actor Richard Angarola. This happened during the play's tour in Britain. The couple came back to the United States in the 1950s. Hilda started a promising film career.
In 1950, Hilda received great reviews in London. She performed in a play called The Gentle People. This was at the Embassy Theatre.
Her first movie role was with boxing champion Joe Louis. She played his wife in The Joe Louis Story (1953). In 1954, she played Anne in Black Widow. This was a thriller movie. But her film career was cut short. She became a victim of the Hollywood blacklist. This was a time when some people in Hollywood were unfairly stopped from working.
In 1955, the U.S. government did not give her a passport. They also canceled her tour to entertain soldiers in Europe. This was because of ideas that she might have been linked to a political group. This decision caused her to lose many chances. Her film career ended. In 1960, she wrote an article. It was called "I'm No Benedict Arnold." In it, she shared her side of the story.
Continuing Stage and Public Work
In 1958, Hilda played Blanche Du Bois in an off-Broadway play. It was called A Streetcar Named Desire. She played the same role the next year. This was in a summer play in Wisconsin.
In 1959, Hilda created a one-woman show. She performed poetry readings for colleges. She hoped to create a theater company. It would be made of Black professional actors.
Hilda continued her stage career. She acted in plays like The Madwoman of Chaillot. She also performed on Broadway in The Cool World (1960) and Tambourines to Glory (1963). She played Miss Ayres on the TV show The Nurses. She also hosted her own radio show. It was called Ladies Day on New York City's WOV.
Hilda also became active in political movements. She worked for the New York State Human Rights Commission. She later achieved her dream of becoming a teacher. She earned a master's degree in education. This was from the City College of New York.
Hilda Simms' Passing
Hilda Simms passed away in Buffalo, New York. She was 75 years old. She died from pancreatic cancer.
