Ethel Waters (1896–1977) was a trailblazing blues singer and actress who broke multiple barriers in entertainment, becoming the first African American to star in her own TV show and the first to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Her journey to stardom began when she performed at a local nightclub, which led to an invitation to join the Braxton and Nugent vaudeville troupe in Baltimore. Waters quickly made a name for herself after singing “St. Louis Blues,” becoming the first woman to perform the song publicly. This breakthrough helped launch her career as a recording artist and national touring act.
Waters continued to make history when she became the first African American woman to perform on Broadway, landing a starring role in Irving Berlin’s As Thousands Cheer. She quickly rose to the top of Broadway, earning one of the highest salaries in the industry, regardless of race. Her success on stage paved the way for a film career, including a role in the all-Black film Cabin in the Sky, starring Lena Horne and directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Beyond her on-screen success, Waters was also an advocate for actors’ rights. She served on the executive councils of the Actors Equity Association and the Negro Actors Guild of America. During World War II, she contributed to the Hollywood Victory Committee and performed on USO radio shows for the troops.
Waters’ accomplishments didn’t stop there. She was the second African American ever nominated for an Academy Award, the first African American woman to star in her own television show, and the first to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
Later in life, Waters became deeply religious and toured with evangelist Billy Graham during his crusades in the 1960s. Despite facing health challenges in her later years, Waters remained a beloved figure until her death on September 1, 1977.
Waters had a complex personal life. She was married three times, with her first marriage occurring when she was just 13. Though she identified as bisexual early in her career, she never publicly discussed her sexuality. During the 1920s, she lived with her girlfriend, Ethel Williams. Waters had a large LGBTQ+ fanbase, including renowned photographer Carl Van Vechten, who captured some of her most iconic portraits, now held in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
