Singer. She began her career as a stage actress. In 1921, she was signed to Columbia Records after being “discovered” performing in the play “Put and Take.” Soon after making her 1921 recording debut, Edith made history by becoming one of the first African American actresses allowed to perform on the white Vaudeville circuit. In the late 1920’s, she performed with Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club in New York City and she performed with Louis Armstrong and his band. She continued performing with many big name entertainers throughout the 1930’s including Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson and Cab Calloway. She made her motion picture debut in a non-singing role in the film, I’m Still Alive, in 1940. About this same time, Edith took a role on the radio program “Amos ‘n Andy” in the role of Kingfish’s mother-in-law, a role she would play for several years. In 1944, she appeared in the Humphrey Bogart film, To Have and Have Not. Edith’s biggest break came in 1947 when she signed a contract with the Quaker Oats Company to play the role of Aunt Jemima. She toured the United States portraying Aunt Jemima throughout the 1950’s and the 1960’s. She finally quit playing Aunt Jemima in 1965 after receiving much criticism from the African American community. After working for the Negro Actors Guild, Edith’s musical career experienced a revival in the 1970’s. She toured and recorded several albums during this time period. She quit the music business again in the early 1980’s due to bad health. Edith Wilson died in 1981.
Singer. She began her career as a stage actress. In 1921, she was signed to Columbia Records after being “discovered” performing in the play “Put and Take.” Soon after making her 1921 recording debut, Edith made history by becoming one of the first African American actresses allowed to perform on the white Vaudeville circuit. In the late 1920’s, she performed with Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club in New York City and she performed with Louis Armstrong and his band. She continued performing with many big name entertainers throughout the 1930’s including Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson and Cab Calloway. She made her motion picture debut in a non-singing role in the film, I’m Still Alive, in 1940. About this same time, Edith took a role on the radio program “Amos ‘n Andy” in the role of Kingfish’s mother-in-law, a role she would play for several years. In 1944, she appeared in the Humphrey Bogart film, To Have and Have Not. Edith’s biggest break came in 1947 when she signed a contract with the Quaker Oats Company to play the role of Aunt Jemima. She toured the United States portraying Aunt Jemima throughout the 1950’s and the 1960’s. She finally quit playing Aunt Jemima in 1965 after receiving much criticism from the African American community. After working for the Negro Actors Guild, Edith’s musical career experienced a revival in the 1970’s. She toured and recorded several albums during this time period. She quit the music business again in the early 1980’s due to bad health. Edith Wilson died in 1981.
Gravesite Details
Headstone was placed by the Killer Blues Headstone Project
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