Tommie Moore (December 2, 1917 – August 17, 2004) was an actress in theater, film, and television. [1] She was born Pretty Tomiwitta Moore and shortened her name, though she was sometimes credited as Tomiwitta Moore.
Moore was a native of Pasadena, California, where she performed on the stage as a child. [2] She was given the name "Tomiwitta" because her father had wanted a boy to name "Thomas". [3]
She traveled to New York to go to dramatic school, but instead became a page girl at the Cotton Club. One of her job duties was to escort W.C. Handy on and off the stage. [4]
Moore toured in the starring role in a touring production of Claudia in 1946. [5] [6] She left Claudia [7] for the original theatrical production of Beggar's Holiday the same year [8] [9] playing Tawdry Audrey. [10] In the production, she had to run across the stage in a two-handkerchief bathing suit. [11]
She performed as part of the chorus of three (with Eartha Kitt and Helena Hughes) in Orson Welles' production of The Blessed and the Damned in Paris in 1950. [12] [13] [14] Both Beggar's Holiday and The Blessed and the Damned in Paris had music by Duke Ellington.
In her film career, she received positive notice for her role in The Green-Eyed Blonde (1957); [15] a Variety review called her a "standout" [16] and Ebony magazine profiled her around the time of the film's release. [3]
She appeared on television shows The Amos 'n Andy Show and Bourbon Street Beat.
She was engaged to postal worker George Gray [17] and was involved with the Red Cross. [18]
Tommie Moore (December 2, 1917 – August 17, 2004) was an actress in theater, film, and television. [1] She was born Pretty Tomiwitta Moore and shortened her name, though she was sometimes credited as Tomiwitta Moore.
Moore was a native of Pasadena, California, where she performed on the stage as a child. [2] She was given the name "Tomiwitta" because her father had wanted a boy to name "Thomas". [3]
She traveled to New York to go to dramatic school, but instead became a page girl at the Cotton Club. One of her job duties was to escort W.C. Handy on and off the stage. [4]
Moore toured in the starring role in a touring production of Claudia in 1946. [5] [6] She left Claudia [7] for the original theatrical production of Beggar's Holiday the same year [8] [9] playing Tawdry Audrey. [10] In the production, she had to run across the stage in a two-handkerchief bathing suit. [11]
She performed as part of the chorus of three (with Eartha Kitt and Helena Hughes) in Orson Welles' production of The Blessed and the Damned in Paris in 1950. [12] [13] [14] Both Beggar's Holiday and The Blessed and the Damned in Paris had music by Duke Ellington.
In her film career, she received positive notice for her role in The Green-Eyed Blonde (1957); [15] a Variety review called her a "standout" [16] and Ebony magazine profiled her around the time of the film's release. [3]
She appeared on television shows The Amos 'n Andy Show and Bourbon Street Beat.
She was engaged to postal worker George Gray [17] and was involved with the Red Cross. [18]