Gertrude Jeannette was an American actress and producer who is best known for her performances in Shaft, Nothing But a Man, and Cotton Comes to Harlem. She was also the first woman to work as a licensed taxi driver in New York City.
Personal and Family Life
Gertrude Jeannette was born on November 28, 1914, in Urbana, Arkansas. Her father, Willis Lawrence Hadley, was a teacher on a Native American reservation, while her mother, Salley Getrude Crawford Hadley, was a homemaker. She was married to Joe Jeanette until his death in 1958 and had one child.
Career Highlights
Jeannette was a prominent figure in the American Negro Theater and participated in numerous Broadway productions. Despite facing challenges, including being blacklisted during the Red Scare in the 1950s, she wrote five plays and founded the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players in Harlem, where she actively mentored many African-American actors.
Death and Legacy
Gertrude Jeannette passed away on April 4, 2018, in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. She left behind a significant legacy in both theater and film, remembered for her contributions to the arts and her role in breaking barriers for women, especially in the field of taxi driving.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing But a Man | 1964-12-27 | Mrs. Dawson |
| Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist | 1998-01-01 | Self |
| The Legend of Nigger Charley | 1972-03-16 | Theo |
| Shaft | 1971-06-25 | Old Lady |
| To Be Young, Gifted and Black: The World of Lorraine Hansberry in Her Own Words | 1969-03-02 | |
| Black Girl | 1972-11-09 | Sister Jenkins |