Tommie Moore

Tommie Moore (December 2, 1917 – August 17, 2004) was an American actress whose work spanned theater, film, and television. Born Pretty Tomiwitta Moore in Pasadena, California, she acquired the unusual given name because her father had hoped for a son he planned to call Thomas. She later shortened her name professionally, though she was occasionally credited under the original form, Tomiwitta Moore. As a child she performed on stage in Pasadena before eventually making her way to New York with the intention of attending dramatic school.

Rather than pursuing formal training upon arriving in New York, Moore took a position as a page girl at the Cotton Club, where her duties included escorting W.C. Handy on and off the stage. Her theatrical career developed from there, and in 1946 she toured in the starring role of a production of Claudia. That same year she departed the Claudia tour to join the original Broadway production of Beggar's Holiday, in which she played the role of Tawdry Audrey. The role required her to run across the stage in a two-handkerchief bathing suit. Beggar's Holiday featured music by Duke Ellington.

In 1950, Moore traveled to Paris to perform in Orson Welles' production of The Blessed and the Damned, appearing as part of a chorus of three alongside Eartha Kitt and Helena Hughes. That production also featured music by Duke Ellington, connecting it thematically to her earlier Broadway work.

Moore's film career began in the late 1930s with smaller roles in pictures including Gangsters on the Loose (1937) and Spirit of Youth (1938). She went on to appear in Mystery in Swing (1940) as Mae Carroll and Broken Strings (1940) as Mary, followed by That Man of Mine (1946) as Honey Diamond. Uncredited appearances during this period included Stormy Weather (1943) and Cabin in the Sky (1943). Her most noted film performance came with The Green-Eyed Blonde (1957), in which she played Trixie Budlong. A Variety review identified her as a standout in the film, and Ebony magazine published a profile of her around the time of its release. That same year she also appeared in Band of Angels as Dollie.

On television, Moore appeared in episodes of The Amos 'n Andy Show and Bourbon Street Beat. In her personal life, she was engaged to postal worker George Gray and was involved with the Red Cross.