The Resume

(December 23, 1903-June 28, 1994)
Birth name is Fredericka Carolyn Washington
Acted in 'One Mile From Heaven (1937),' 'Ouanga (1936),' 'Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1934),' 'Emperor Jones (1933),' and 'Black & Tan (1929)'
Best known for her role as Peola in 'Imitation of Life (1934)'

Why she might be annoying:

She was hired by Josephine Baker at age 16 to be a cabaret dancer.
She had an affair with Paul Robeson, who was married.
She played a 19-year-old when she was 30.

Why she might not be annoying:

Despite having very fair skin, straight hair, and green eyes, Fredi refused to pass for white.
Because she would not deny her true ethnicity, her acting career suffered greatly.
Make-up was used to darken her skin for her role in 'Emperor Jones' so audiences would not think Paul Robeson was romancing a white woman.
People pitied her as the 'tragic mulatto' because she was too light-skinned and beautiful to play the stereotypical black roles of the day. Because she was black, she was not allowed to play a white person.
She was also an accomplished stage actress.
She sang with Duke Ellington's band.

Credit: Carnal Carnivale

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Actors Who Think They Can Dance
• Actors Who Think They Can Sing
• Adults Who Portray Teenagers
• Appeared in Black Face
• Bee Stung Lips
• Black and Beautiful
• Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Members and Honorees [1973-2005] (Ranked: 1975)
• City Namesakes
• Civil Rights Activists
• Green Eyes
• Husband Thieves
• I Died in 1994 (Ranked: 90)
• Look at Me, I've Been Caught Smoking
• Look at My Autographed Photo
• Names that are States
• Paul Robeson’s Leading Ladies
• Profiles 17001-17250 (Ranked: 17176)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 64.00% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 65 Votes: 35.38% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 38 Votes: 36.84% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 91 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 171 Votes: 48.54% Annoying