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. 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 Andrew S. Bishop (1894–1959) was an actor on stage and screen. He and Cleo Desmond drew adoring fans to their theatrical performances. He starred in several of Oscar Michaux's African American films. He was part of the Anita Bush stock compan ...

drew adoring fans to their theatrical performances. She eventually won some film roles and was cast in several of

Oscar Micheaux Oscar Devereaux Micheaux (; January 2, 1884 – March 25, 1951) was an author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films. Although the short-lived Lincoln Motion Picture Company was the first movie company owned and controlled ...

's films.

Selected filmography

* ''

Mokey ''Mokey'' is a 1942 comedy-drama film released by MGM, directed by Wells Root and starring Donna Reed, Dan Dailey, and Robert Blake. Plot Cast * Dan Dailey as Herbert Delano * Donna Reed as Athena Delano * Robert Blake as Daniel "Mokey" D ...

'' (1942) * ''

Mr. Washington Goes to Town ''Mr. Washington Goes to Town'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by William Beaudine and Jed Buell, and starring F. E. Miller, Mantan Moreland and Maceo Bruce Sheffield. The film was marketed primarily to black audiences and written and fil ...

'' (1941) * ''

Am I Guilty? ''Am I Guilty?'' Is an American film released in 1940 directed by Samuel Neufeld for the Supreme Pictures Corporation. A. W. Hackel was the film's producer.; his Supreme Pictures, which had produced dozens of Western films, planned a series of fi ...

'' (1940) * ''

Spirit of Youth ''Spirit of Youth'' is a 1938 boxing film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring then-heavyweight world champion Joe Louis in a story with similarities to his own real life. (According to IMDb, the Spanish title is ''La vida de Joe Louis'', w ...

'' (1938) * '' The Millionaire'' (1927) * ''

Deceit Deception or falsehood is an act or statement that misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda and sleight o ...

'' (1923) * ''

The Easiest Way ''The Easiest Way'' is a 1931 American pre-Code MGM drama film directed by Jack Conway. Adapted from the 1909 play of the same name written by Eugene Walter and directed by David Belasco, the film stars Constance Bennett, Adolphe Menjou, Robe ...

'' (1917)

References

American film actresses American stage actresses Vaudeville performers 1880 births 1958 deaths Actresses from Philadelphia {{US-theat-actor-stub