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Overview

Date of Birth:

31 October 1896, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA more

Date of Death:

1 September 1977, Chatsworth, California, USA more

Mini Biography:

The child of a teenage rape victim, Ethel Waters grew up in the slums... more

Trivia:

Won a Joseph Jefferson Award as Best Guest Artist in a Locally Produced... more

STARmeter:

Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination more

NewsDesk:
(2 articles)

Passage Theatre's 7th Annual Solo Flights Continues with "Ethel Waters, His Eye is on the Sparrow" Mar. 14 - 15
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 8 March 2009, 8:48 PM, PDT)
The Human Race Theater Opens His Eye Is On The Sparrow
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 17 February 2009, 10:35 AM, PST)

Filmography

Jump to filmography as: Soundtrack, Actress, Self, Archive Footage

			Year	Gross (USD)	Rating
1.	Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990)	(performer: "Jeepers Creepers")	1990	-	6.6 (1,251)

2.	Heart of Midnight (1988)	(performer: "Baby, What Else Can I Do")	1988	-	5.1 (427)

3.	That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)	(performer: "Taking a Chance on Love")	1976	-	7.3 (870)

4.	"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962)	(1 episode, 1972)	1972	-	8.3 (462)
	AKAs: The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title) 1 TV episode: "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: (1972-10-27)" (performer: "Cabin in the Sky")
5.	"The Barbara McNair Show" (1969)	(1 episode, 1970)	1970	-	8.4 (6)
	1 TV episode: "The Barbara McNair Show: (1970-04-19)" (writer: "Partners with God") (performer: "Partners with God", "Crying Holy Unto the Lord")
6.	"The Hollywood Palace" (1964)	(1 episode, 1969)	1969	-	9.5 (45)
	1 TV episode: "The Hollywood Palace: (#6.22)" (performer: "Bread and Gravy", "Supper Time")
7.	"Route 66" (1960)	(1 episode, 1961)	1961	-	8.0 (233)
	1 TV episode: "Route 66: Goodnight Sweet Blues (#2.3)" (performer: "Good Night, Sweet Blues")
8.	"The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" (1956)	(1 episode, 1959)	1959	-	4.8 (8)
	AKAs: The Ford Show 1 TV episode: "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: (#3.31)" (performer: "Cabin in the Sky", "Downhearted Blues", "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe", "St. Louis Blues")
9.	"Matinee Theatre" (1955)	(1 episode, 1957)	1957	-	7.2 (12)
	1 TV episode: "Matinee Theatre: Sing for Me (#3.5)" (performer: "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child")
10.	Carib Gold (1957)	(performer: "Carib Gold")	1957	-	-

11.	"The Steve Allen Show" (1956)	(1 episode, 1956)	1956	-	9.3 (68)
	AKAs: The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "The Steve Allen Show: (#2.11)" (performer: "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe", "Taking a Chance on Love")
12.	The Member of the Wedding (1952)	(performer: "His Eye Is on the Sparrow")	1952	-	7.3 (451)

13.	"The Milton Berle Show" (1948)	(1 episode, 1951)	1951	-	7.3 (19)
	AKAs: Texaco Star Theater (USA: alternative title) The Buick-Berle Show (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "The Milton Berle Show: (#3.24)" (performer: "Heat Wave", "Memories of You")
14.	"Toast of the Town" (1948)	(1 episode, 1949)	1949	-	8.4 (100)
	AKAs: The Ed Sullivan Show (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "Toast of the Town: (#3.3)" (performer: "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe", "Stormy Weather")
15.	Let's Sing a Song from the Movies (1948)	(performer: "Am I Blue?")	1948	-	-

16.	Stage Door Canteen (1943)	(performer: "Quick Sands" (1943))	1943	-	6.5 (632)

17.	Cabin in the Sky (1943)	(performer: "Li'l Black Sheep", "Taking a Chance on Love", "Honey in the Honeycomb") ("Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe", "Cabin in the Sky")	1943	-	7.2 (891)

18.	The Voice That Thrilled the World (1943)	(performer: "Am I Blue")	1943	-	6.6 (46)

19.	Cairo (1942)	(performer: "Il bacio (The Kiss)", "Chi mi frena (The Sextet)" (1835), "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" (1912), "There's No Place Like Home (Home, Sweet Home)" (1823), "Buds Won't Bud" (1937)) ("Buds Won't Bud" (1937))	1942	-	6.1 (76)

20.	Gift of Gab (1934)	(performer: "I Ain't Gonna Sin No More")	1934	-	5.4 (26)

21.	Bubbling Over (1934)	(performer: "Taking Your Time", "Darkies Never Dream")	1934	-	5.7 (8)

22.	Rufus Jones for President (1933)	(performer: "Am I Blue?", "Underneath the Harlem Moon", "Lullaby")	1933	-	6.3 (46)

23.	On with the Show! (1929)	(performer: "Am I Blue?", "Birmingham Bertha")	1929	-	6.6 (85)

			Year	Gross (USD)	Rating
1.	"Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law" (1971)	Aunt Harriet (1 episode, 1972)	1972	-	7.6 (47)
	1 TV episode: "Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law: Run, Carol, Run (#1.17)" Aunt Harriet
2.	"Daniel Boone" (1964)	Rachel (1 episode, 1970)	1970	-	7.5 (214)
	1 TV episode: "Daniel Boone: Mamma Cooper (#6.16)" Rachel
3.	"Vacation Playhouse" (1963)	Carrie (1 episode, 1967)	1967	-	7.4 (8)
	1 TV episode: "Vacation Playhouse: You're Only Young Twice (#5.1)" Carrie
4.	"The Great Adventure" (1963)	Rit (1 episode, 1963)	1963	-	8.6 (33)
	1 TV episode: "The Great Adventure: Go Down, Moses (#1.6)" Rit
5.	"Route 66" (1960)	Jenny Henderson (1 episode, 1961)	1961	-	8.0 (233)
	1 TV episode: "Route 66: Goodnight Sweet Blues (#2.3)" Jenny Henderson
6.	"Whirlybirds" (1957)	Sarah (1 episode, 1959)	1959	-	8.0 (64)
	AKAs: Copter Patrol (USA: syndication title) 1 TV episode: "Whirlybirds: The Big Lie (#3.10)" Sarah
7.	The Sound and the Fury (1959)	Dilsey	1959	-	6.5 (228)

8.	The Heart Is a Rebel (1958)	Gladys	1958	-	5.9 (8)

9.	"Matinee Theatre" (1955)	(1 episode, 1957)	1957	-	7.2 (12)
	1 TV episode: "Matinee Theatre: Sing for Me (#3.5)"
10.	Carib Gold (1957)	Mom	1957	-	-

11.	Saturday Spectacular: Manhattan Tower (1956) (TV)	Sunday School Teacher	1956	-	-

12.	"Playwrights '56" (1955)	Dilsey (1 episode, 1955)	1955	-	7.1 (7)
	AKAs: Pontiac Playwrights '56 (USA: alternative title) The Playwright Hour 1 TV episode: "Playwrights '56: The Sound and the Fury (#1.6)" Dilsey
13.	"General Electric Theater" (1953)	Mother (1 episode, 1955)	1955	-	8.1 (72)
	AKAs: G.E. Theater (USA: informal short title) G.E. True Theater (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "General Electric Theater: Winner by Decision (#4.6)" Mother
14.	"Climax!" (1954)	Aunt Kate (1 episode, 1955)	1955	-	7.8 (40)
	AKAs: Climax Mystery Theater (USA: alternative title) 1 TV episode: "Climax!: The Dance (#1.30)" Aunt Kate
15.	The Member of the Wedding (1952)	Berenice Sadie Brown	1952	-	7.3 (451)

16.	Pinky (1949)	Pinky's Granny	1949	-	7.2 (628)

17.	Cabin in the Sky (1943)	Petunia Jackson	1943	-	7.2 (891)

18.	Cairo (1942)	Cleona Jones, Marcia's Maid	1942	-	6.1 (76)

19.	Tales of Manhattan (1942)	Esther	1942	-	7.4 (580)

20.	Gift of Gab (1934)	Ethel	1934	-	5.4 (26)

21.	Bubbling Over (1934)	Ethel Peabody	1934	-	5.7 (8)

22.	Rufus Jones for President (1933)	Mother of Rufus	1933	-	6.3 (46)

23.	On with the Show! (1929)	Ethel Walters	1929	-	6.6 (85)

			Year	Gross (USD)	Rating
1.	"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962)	Herself (2 episodes, 1972)	1972	-	8.3 (462)
	AKAs: The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title) 2 TV episodes: "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: (1972-10-27)" Herself "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: (1972-05-10)" Herself
2.	Johnny Carson Presents the Sun City Scandals '72 (1972) (TV)	Herself	1972	-	9.6 (16)

3.	"The Pearl Bailey Show" (1971)	Herself (1 episode, 1971)	1971	-	-
	1 TV episode: "The Pearl Bailey Show: (1971-02-13)" Herself
4.	"This Is Your Life" (1971)	Herself (1 episode, 1971)	1971	-	7.0 (26)
	1 TV episode: "This Is Your Life: Pearl Bailey" Herself
5.	"The Barbara McNair Show" (1969)	Herself (1 episode, 1970)	1970	-	8.4 (6)
	1 TV episode: "The Barbara McNair Show: (1970-04-19)" Herself
6.	"The Hollywood Palace" (1964)	Herself - Singer (1 episode, 1969)	1969	-	9.5 (45)
	1 TV episode: "The Hollywood Palace: (#6.22)" Herself - Singer
7.	"The Joey Bishop Show" (1967)	Herself (1 episode, 1968)	1968	-	7.3 (19)
	1 TV episode: "The Joey Bishop Show: (1968-04-17)" Herself
8.	"The New Steve Allen Show" (1961)	Herself (1 episode, 1962)	1962	-	7.5 (9)
	1 TV episode: "The New Steve Allen Show: (1962-09-13)" Herself
9.	"House Party" (1952)	Herself (1 episode, 1962)	1962	-	7.0 (24)
	AKAs: Art Linkletter's House Party (USA: complete title) The Linkletter Show (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "House Party: (1962-06-14)" Herself
10.	"Project XX" (1954)	Herself (1 episode, 1961)	1961	-	-
	1 TV episode: "Project XX: The World of Billy Graham" Herself
11.	"The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" (1956)	Herself (1 episode, 1959)	1959	-	4.8 (8)
	AKAs: The Ford Show 1 TV episode: "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: (#3.31)" Herself
12.	"The Mike Wallace Interview" (1957)	Herself (1 episode, 1959)	1959	-	-
	1 TV episode: "The Mike Wallace Interview: Ethel Waters" Herself
13.	"The Steve Allen Show" (1956)	Herself - Singer (1 episode, 1956)	1956	-	9.3 (68)
	AKAs: The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "The Steve Allen Show: (#2.11)" Herself - Singer
14.	"The Dave Garroway Show" (1953)	Herself (2 episodes, 1953-1954)	1954	-	-
	2 TV episodes: "The Dave Garroway Show: (#1.39)" Herself "The Dave Garroway Show: (#1.4)" Herself
15.	"Person to Person" (1953)	Herself (1 episode, 1954)	1954	-	8.8 (28)
	1 TV episode: "Person to Person: (#1.15)" Herself
16.	"This Is Show Business" (1949)	Herself (5 episodes, 1950-1952)	1952	-	-
	AKAs: This Is Broadway (first episodes title) 5 TV episodes: "This Is Show Business: (1952-12-07)" Herself "This Is Show Business: (1951-03-11)" Herself "This Is Show Business: (1950-06-11)" Herself "This Is Show Business: (1950-05-28)" Herself "This Is Show Business: (1950-03-05)" Herself
17.	"The Jackie Gleason Show" (1952)	Herself (1 episode, 1952)	1952	-	9.2 (42)
	AKAs: The Honeymooners: The Lost Episodes (USA: rerun title) 1 TV episode: "The Jackie Gleason Show: (1952-11-01)" Herself
18.	"General Electric Guest House" (1951)	Herself (2 episodes, 1951)	1951	-	-
	AKAs: Guest House 2 TV episodes: "General Electric Guest House: (1951-08-26)" Herself "General Electric Guest House: (1951-07-22)" Herself
19.	"What's My Line?" (1950)	Mystery Guest (1 episode, 1951)	1951	-	8.9 (268)
	1 TV episode: "What's My Line?: (1951-08-12)" Mystery Guest
20.	"Songs for Sale" (1950)	Herself (1 episode, 1951)	1951	-	-
	1 TV episode: "Songs for Sale: (1951-07-21)" Herself
21.	"The Milton Berle Show" (1948)	Herself (1 episode, 1951)	1951	-	7.3 (19)
	AKAs: Texaco Star Theater (USA: alternative title) The Buick-Berle Show (USA: new title) 1 TV episode: "The Milton Berle Show: (#3.24)" Herself
22.	"Toast of the Town" (1948)	Herself / Herself - Singer (2 episodes, 1949-1950)	1950	-	8.4 (100)
	AKAs: The Ed Sullivan Show (USA: new title) 2 TV episodes: "Toast of the Town: (#4.4)" Herself "Toast of the Town: (#3.3)" Herself - Singer
23.	"The Perry Como Show" (1948)	Herself (1 episode, 1950)	1950	-	7.6 (24)
	AKAs: Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (USA: new title) The Chesterfield Supper Club 1 TV episode: "The Perry Como Show: (1950-02-05)" Herself
24.	"The Borden Show" (1947)	Herself (1 episode, 1947)	1947	-	-
	1 TV episode: "The Borden Show: Ethel's Cabin" Herself
25.	Stage Door Canteen (1943)	Herself	1943	-	6.5 (632)


1.	Bicentennial Nigger (2006)

2.	"Broadway: The American Musical"
	1 TV episode: I Got Plenty o' Nuttin': 1929-1942 (2004)
3.	"Great Performances"
	1 TV episode: The Great American Songbook (2003)
4.	The Nightclub Years (2001) (TV)	Herself

5.	Blues Masters (1999) (V)

6.	Classified X (1998) (TV)	Herself

7.	"American Masters"
	1 TV episode: Vaudeville (1997) Herself
8.	"Entertainment Tonight"
	1 TV episode: Episode dated 16 May 1990 (1990) (uncredited) Mother of Rufus
9.	That's Black Entertainment (1990)	Herself

10.	The Ladies Sing the Blues (1989)	Herself

11.	That's Dancing! (1985)	Herself (clip from "Rufus Jones for President")

12.	"The Mike Douglas Show"
	1 TV episode: Episode dated 25 October 1977 (1977) Herself
13.	That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)	Clip from 'Cabin in the Sky'

14.	"Toast of the Town"
	1 TV episode: Episode #11.39 (1958) Herself
15.	Let's Sing a Song from the Movies (1948)

16.	New Orleans (1947)	(uncredited) Clip from 'Rufus Jones for President'

17.	The Voice That Thrilled the World (1943)	(uncredited) Herself (segment "On with the Show!")

Additional Details

Other Works:

Starred on the CBS radio series The American Revue, which ran from October 22, 1933 to February 25, 1934. The 30 minute program went out Sunday nights at 7 p.m. from WABC (now WCBS) in New York City and also featured comedian George Beatty and the Jack Denny Orchestra. The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra also appeared on the show for a time. more

Publicity Listings:

5 Print Biographies more

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Family more

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title | Variety | African American | Non Fiction more

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