Olga James

Acting

16 Feb 1929

† 25 Jan 2025

Washington, D.C., United States of America

Biography

Olga James Adderley-Chandler (February 16, 1929 – January 25, 2025) was born into a musical family – her father played the saxaphone, her mother was a dancer – James would attend Julliard in New York City where she studied opera. She made her professional debut in 1952 in Paris, performing in the opera Four Saints in Three Acts. After returning to America, James was hired to perform in the all-Black revue at Atlantic City’s Club Harlem. It was while performing in the revue that she got an audit...