Olga James, a prominent operatic soprano and actress, died on January 25 in Los Angeles at the age of 95. Her passing occurred in an assisted living facility, as confirmed by her niece, Janet Adderley.
James is best known for her roles in the mid-1950s, particularly as Harry Belafonte’s love interest in the film Carmen Jones and as Sammy Davis Jr.’s partner in the Broadway show Mr. Wonderful.
Her career began with performances in an opera company in France and a popular musical revue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. A significant break came when her manager, Abe Saperstein, arranged an audition for the film adaptation of Carmen Jones, based on Oscar Hammerstein II’s 1943 Broadway musical.
In the film, set in the American South during World War II, James played Cindy Lou, a character whose boyfriend, Joe, is seduced by Carmen. Notably, she provided her own singing for the role, while the voices of her co-stars were dubbed.
Despite her initial success, James spent much of her later career away from the spotlight, focusing on performances outside of mainstream media. Her contributions to both film and theater remain significant in the history of American musical arts.
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