Tommie Moore

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.

Early life

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]

Career

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.

Personal life

She was engaged to postal worker George Gray^[17] and was involved with the Red Cross.^[18]

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 (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)