Cleo Desmond

Cleo Desmond
Born	Minnie Matilda Hatfield April 25, 1880 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	October 6, 1958 (aged 78) San Diego, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress

Cleo Desmond (born Minnie Matilda Hatfield, April 25, 1880 – October 6, 1958) was an American actress and vaudeville performer who had a long career on the stage and screen.^[1]

She began acting and performing at a young age, appearing in plays and in vaudeville acts as early as 1903 under the stage name Cleo Desmond. She gained nationwide attention as a member of the Lafayette Players. She and Andrew S. Bishop drew adoring fans to their theatrical performances.^[2]

She eventually won some film roles and was cast in several of Oscar Micheaux's films.^[1][3][4]

Selected filmography

• Mokey (1942)
• Mr. Washington Goes to Town (1941)
• Am I Guilty? (1940)
• Spirit of Youth (1938)
• The Millionaire (1927)
• Deceit (1923)
• The Easiest Way (1917)

References

1. Peterson, Bernard L. (2001). Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816-1960. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313295348.
2. Hill, Errol; Hatch, James V. (July 17, 2003). A History of African American Theatre. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521624435 – via Google Books.
3. Simms ̓blue Book and National Negro Business and Professional Directory. James N. Simms. 1923.
4. Hill, Errol (2000-04-01). The Theatre of Black Americans: A Collection of Critical Essays. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781476841571.