Hilda Offley
Hilda Offley | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1894 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 1968 (aged 73–74) New York City, USA |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse | Creighton Thompson (m. 1916-1968, her death) |
Hilda Offley (June 27, 1894 - March 1968) was an American actress, known for her supporting roles in race films and her work in African American stage productions during the 1930s and 1940s. She appeared in several notable all-Black cast films, including Keep Punching (1939) as Mrs. Jackson, Sepia Cinderella (1947) as Mama Keyes, and Miracle in Harlem (1948) as Aunt Hattie. Her film work contributed to the era's race film genre, which featured African American performers and was catered to black audiences.
Early life and career
Hilda Offley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 27, 1894. Little is known about her family or her educational background before her career. In the 1930s and 1940s, she starred in various theatre productions.[1] She was also one of the four members of the "Lafayette Players" at the Lafayette theatre in New York.[2] Her film career was rather short, consisting of three independently produced race films: Keep Punching (1939), Sepia Cinderella (1947), and Miracle in Harlem (1948).
Personal life
Hilda Offley married Creighton Thompson on May 28, 1916. Their marriage lasted until Offley's death in May 1968, spanning over 51 years.
Filmography
Stage[1]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Ol' Man Satan | First David Temptress |
| 1936 | Walk Together Chillun | Martha Ray Browne |
| 1937 | The Long Voyage Home | Freda |
| 1938 | Androcles and the Lion | Megaera |
| 1940 | Big White Fog | Ellen Mason |
| 1946 | Lysistrata | Old Women's Chorus |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Sepia Cinderella | Mama Keyes |
| 1948 | Miracle in Harlem | Aunt Hattie |
References
- ^ a b https://playbill.com/person/hilda-offley-vault-0000040423
- ^ Brent (2018-02-06). "New Deal of the Day: Remembering the New Deal during Black History Month: African Americans in the Federal Theatre Project". New Deal of the Day. Retrieved 2026-03-30.