Ethel Waters - Actor Profile

Ethel Waters

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
24Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 31, 1896
Birth Place: Chester, Pennsylvania, USA

About Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, although she began her career in the 1920s singing blues. Her best-known recordings includes, "Dinah", "Birmingham Bertha", "Stormy Weather" "Hottentot Potentate", and "Cabin in the Sky", as well as her version of the spiritual, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow". Waters was the second African American to be nominated for an Academy Award. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ethel Waters, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Ethel Waters Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ethel Waters reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 24 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ethel Waters's work falls within the Music genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 42% of Ethel Waters's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Heart is a Rebel, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ethel Waters Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ethel Waters's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ethel Waters has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2006 Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.1 - Flop Similar →
2003 Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1999 Blues Masters Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1975 Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1975 Black Shadows on a Silver Screen Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
1973 The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1959 The Sound and the Fury Dilsey Hit Similar →
1958 The Heart is a Rebel Gladys Super Hit Similar →
1956 Saturday Spectacular: Manhattan Tower Sunday School Teacher Flop Similar →
1956 Carib Gold Mom Average Similar →
1952 The Member of the Wedding Berenice Sadie Brown Average Similar →
1949 Pinky Dicey Johnson Hit Similar →
1945 Soundies Festival - Flop Similar →
1943 The Voice That Thrilled the World Self (segment 'On with the Show!') (archive footage) Average Similar →
1943 Stage Door Canteen Ethel Waters Average Similar →
1943 Cabin in the Sky Petunia Jackson Hit Similar →
1942 Cairo Cleona Jones, Marcia's Maid Average Similar →
1942 Tales of Manhattan Esther Average Similar →
1939 Let My People Live - Hit Similar →
1934 Gift of Gab Herself Flop Similar →
1934 Bubbling Over Ethel Peabody Flop Similar →
1933 Rufus Jones for President Mother of Rufus Hit Similar →
1929 On With the Show! Ethel Average Similar →

Ethel Waters - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ethel Waters?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ethel Waters is "The Heart is a Rebel" with a rating of 8.0/10.

How many movies has Ethel Waters acted in?

Ethel Waters has been featured in at least 24 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ethel Waters?

Other notable films include "Pinky", "Rufus Jones for President", and "The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli".

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