Tommie Moore (December 2, 1917August 17, 2004) was an actress in theater, film, and television. She was born Pretty Tomiwitta Moore and shortened her name, though she was sometimes credited as Tomiwitta Moore.

Early life

Moore was a native of

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commerci ...

, where she performed on the stage as a child. She was given the name "Tomiwitta" because her father had wanted a boy to name "Thomas"."Movie Features Blossoming Star: Tommie Moore gets 'gratifying' role in film story of modern correction school." ''Ebony''. Nov 1957, Vol. 13, Issue 1, p 93-96.

Career

She traveled to New York to go to dramatic school, but instead became a page girl at the

Cotton Club The Cotton Club was a 20th-century nightclub in New York City. It was located on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue from 1923 to 1936, then briefly in the midtown Theater District until 1940. The club operated during the United States' era of P ...

. One of her job duties was to escort W.C. Handy on and off the stage. Moore toured in the starring role in a touring production of '' Claudia'' in 1946. She left ''Claudia'' for the original theatrical production of ''

Beggar's Holiday ''Beggar's Holiday'' is a musical with a book and lyrics by John La Touche and music by Duke Ellington. History and background The project originated with black scenic designer Perry Watkins, who envisioned a jazz-driven adaptation of John G ...

'' the same year playing Tawdry Audrey. In the production, she had to run across the stage in a two-handkerchief bathing suit. She performed as part of the chorus of three (with

Eartha Kitt Eartha Mae Kitt (née Keith; January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American singer and actress. She was known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of "C'est si bon" and the Christmas novelty song "Santa Baby" ...

and Helena Hughes) in

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is among the greatest and most influential film ...

' production of ''The Blessed and the Damned'' in Paris in 1950. Both ''Beggar's Holiday'' and ''The Blessed and the Damned in Paris'' had music by

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

. In her film career, she received positive notice for her role in '' The Green-Eyed Blonde'' (1957); a ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' review called her a "standout" and ''

Ebony Ebony is a dense black/brown hardwood, coming from several species in the genus '' Diospyros'', which also includes the persimmon tree. A few ''Diospyros'' species, such as macassar and mun ebony, are dense enough to sink in water. Ebony is fin ...

'' magazine profiled her around the time of the film's release. She appeared on television shows '' The Amos 'n Andy Show'' and ''

Bourbon Street Beat ''Bourbon Street Beat'' is a private detective television series that aired on the ABC network from October 5, 1959, to July 4, 1960, starring Richard Long as Rex Randolph and Andrew Duggan as Cal Calhoun, with Arlene Howell as detective agen ...

''.

Personal life

She was engaged to postal worker George Gray and was involved with the Red Cross.

Filmography

*'' Mystery in Swing'' (1940) as Mae Carroll *'' Broken Strings'' (1940) as Mary *'' That Man of Mine'' (1946) as Honey Diamond *'' The Green-Eyed Blonde'' (1957) as Trixie Budlong *''

Band of Angels ''Band of Angels'' is a 1957 American psychological drama film set in the American South before and during the American Civil War, based on the 1955 novel of the same title by Robert Penn Warren. It starred Clark Gable, Yvonne De Carlo and Sid ...

'' (1957) as Dollie

Smaller roles

*'' Gangsters on the Loose'' (1937) *'' Spirit of Youth'' (1938) (uncredited) *'' Stormy Weather'' (1943) (uncredited) *'' Cabin in the Sky'' (1943) (uncredited)

References

External links

*
Tommie Moore
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Moore, Tommie 1917 births 2004 deaths Actors from Pasadena, California American film actresses 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American women