Ethel Waters

Actor

Ethel Waters

Born October 31, 1896 in Chester, Pennsylvania, USADied September 1, 197715 films

Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, although she began her career in the 1920s singing blues.

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Her best-known recordings includes, "Dinah", "Birmingham Bertha", "Stormy Weather" "Hottentot Potentate", and "Cabin in the Sky", as well as her version of the spiritual, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow". Waters was the second African American to be nominated for an Academy Award.

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The best way into Ethel Waters's work
Cabin in the Sky posterFirst watchCabin in the Sky19436.5as Petunia JacksonA leading role in one of the best-rated films of their career.When compulsive gambler Little Joe Jackson dies in a drunken fight, he awakens in purgatory, where he learns that he will be sent back to Earth for six months to prove that he deserves to…View film

Essential films

Ranked by role, acclaim and reach
Pinky poster7.1Pinky1949

Filmography

15 films as actor
  1. 2006Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.1
  2. 1959The Sound and the FuryDilsey
  3. 1958The Heart Is a RebelGladys
  4. 1956Saturday Spectacular: Manhattan TowerSunday School Teacher
  5. 1956Carib GoldMom
  6. 1952The Member of the WeddingBerenice Sadie Brown
  7. 1949PinkyDicey Johnson
  8. 1945Soundies Festival
  9. 1943Stage Door CanteenEthel Waters
  10. 1943Cabin in the SkyPetunia Jackson
  11. 1942CairoCleona Jones
  12. 1942Tales of ManhattanEsther
  13. 1934Bubbling OverEthel Peabody
  14. 1933Rufus Jones for PresidentMother of Rufus
  15. 1929On With the Show!Ethel