Olga James was an American singer and actress best known for her role in the film Carmen Jones.
12 Facts About Olga James
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Olga James's later acting credits include a role in the Broadway musical Mr Wonderful and a recurring role on The Bill Cosby Show.
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Olga James's father was a saxophonist and her mother was a dancer on the Chitlin Circuit.
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Olga James's parents separated during her childhood and her mother remarried.
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Olga James was raised by her grandparents until she was admitted into Juilliard in New York City, then she went to live with her mother in Newark, New Jersey.
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Olga James played the part of Cindy Lou, fiancee of Joe, played by Harry Belafonte.
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Olga James, who was referred to as the sepia Leslie Caron, was managed by Harlem Globetrotters owner Abe Saperstein.
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In 1956, Olga James made her Broadway debut opposite of Sammy Davis Jr.
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Olga James saw Adderley four years later in Los Angeles before she embarked on an international tour in 1960.
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Between 1969 and 1971, Olga James had a reoccurring role on The Bill Cosby Show.
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Olga James was married to first husband, jazz musician Julian "Cannonball" Adderley from 1962 until his death in 1975 and second husband, folk musician, Len Chandler until his death in 2023.
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Olga James died in Los Angeles on January 25,2025, at the age of 95 from complications of a fall.