- Born
- Died
- Birth nameElisabeth Margaret Welsh
- Height1.63 m
- In British films of the 1930s and 1940s, American-born singer Elisabeth Welch made several memorable guest appearances in cabaret sequences, and starred opposite Paul Robeson in two features. Sophisticated, glamorous and charming, her appearances were a refreshing departure from the stereotype of black women perpetuated by Hollywood films of that time. One of her best screen roles was Beulah, the nightclub owner and hostess, in Ealing's Au coeur de la nuit (1945). After a long and distinguished career in West End musical theater, Elisabeth returned to the screen in 1979, making a memorable appearance as "A Goddess" in Derek Jarman's La tempête (1979), singing her theme song, "Stormy Weather".- IMDb mini biography by: Stephen Bourne
- SpouseLuke Smith Jr.(February 27, 1928 - June 20, 1936) (his death)
- Introduced many songs which became popular standards in her shows over the years including "Charleston," "Stormy Weather," "Far Away in Shanty Town" and her "scandalous" signature song "Love for Sale."
- A popular Paris nightclub singer after performing in the black revue "Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1928" and frequently played the Moulin Rouge.
- Made her final professional appearance in the 1996 British television documentary "Black Divas," singing "Stormy Weather" for the last time in public.
- Despite severe arthritis, she persevered in such 1970s musicals as "Pippin" and "Cindy-Eller," sometimes performing sitting down.
- During World War II she often joined artistic forces with such notables as John Gielgud, Edith Evans and Beatrice Lillie to perform for troops in Malta and Gibraltar.
- [when friend and co-star Paul Robeson tried to persuade her to make a stand for black people] I'm of mixed blood: African, Native American Indian, Scots and Irish, Paul, I can't make a stand for all of them. You must excuse me.
- [on co-star Paul Robeson] There were no lines he objected to in "Song of Freedom." In later years he was very nasty in that film "Sanders of the River." He said they had tricked him into that. I don't know how or why. That's his comment, but I have no evidence of it. He was a lovely man. We discussed politics naturally, but I'm not politically minded although I follow. And I have my own theories. He said you've got to be a citizen of the world because of this... (she points to the color of her skin.} I said I've got so many bloods in me, I'm part of the world. I don't stand up for one or the other, only for what's right... for decency. He wanted to convert me, but he was very gentle about it. I'll take anybody's arguments if they have a sense of humor with it. And, of course, he laughed so easily. We became great friends. I loved him, and he always came to see me when I was playing.
- I was brought up in a mixed neighborhood, 63rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, that was primarily Irish, secondly Italian, thirdly Negro, and then the mixes of all other European countries. I went to a mixed school, Julia Richman High. I've never thought of race. I'm lucky. It never hit me.
- My mother was Scottish, and I say what is the point of my taking out British citizenship? I'm half British anyhow. I regard myself as American, but I'm English in thought ans interest.
- (In a 1987 interview) Ivor Novello was a great romantic. I don't think he would be accepted particularly now because of what some people call his schmaltz. I call it love. He was in love with love.
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