Olga James, ’50s & ’60s Actress and Singer in ‘Carmen Jones,’ Dies at 95

American singer Olga James, London, August 10th 1959
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Olga James, the talented singer, actress and nightclub performer who captivated audiences in Carmen Jones, has passed away at the age of 95. Her niece, actress and acting teacher Janet Adderley confirmed that James died on January 25, 2025, at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles due to complications from a fall in which she broke her pelvis.

Born on February 16, 1929, in Washington, D.C., James was immersed in music from an early age. Her father was a saxophonist, and her mother was a dancer, though after their separation, she was raised by her grandparents. She displayed prodigious musical talent and was admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music, where she trained as an opera singer.

Her big break came in 1954 when she was cast as Cindy Lou in Carmen Jones, Otto Preminger’s bold, all-Black film adaptation of the Oscar Hammerstein musical. The role of Cindy Lou, the jilted sweetheart of Harry Belafonte’s Joe, showcased not only her acting ability but also her striking vocals. Critics praised her “high-voltage voice,” and her performances of “You Talk Jus’ Like My Maw,” “My Joe” and “He Got His Self Another Woman” were standout moments in the film. She recalled in later years how, during her audition, she sang an aria for Preminger at New York’s Alvin Theatre, leaving the entire room in applause.

Cindy Lou (Olga James) mourns the loss of her love in the film Carmen Jones

John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

James’ performance in Carmen Jones propelled her into the spotlight. She became a sought-after nightclub performer, gracing stages across the country. In 1955, she made her first television appearance, singing at halftime during a Harlem Globetrotters-Washington Generals game. Broadway soon followed, with James taking on the role of Ethel Pearson, the supportive fiancée of Sammy Davis Jr.’s character, in the hit musical Mr. Wonderful. The show ran for 383 performances and featured a cast that included Jack Carter and a young Chita Rivera.

Throughout her career, James continued to explore new avenues in entertainment. She had a recurring role as Verna Kincaid, the sister-in-law of Bill Cosby’s character, on The Bill Cosby Show (1969-1971) and lent her voice to the animated series Sealab 2020 in 1972.

In her personal life, James was married to jazz saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley from 1962 until his untimely passing in 1975. Later, she found love again with folk singer and civil rights activist Len Chandler, to whom she was married from 1990 until his death in 2023.

James is survived by several nieces and nephews, many of whom have followed in her footsteps and formed their own acting and/or singing careers.

1950s Musicals
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1950s Musicals

November 2020

Bright and brassy, toe-tapping musicals from the 1950s

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