Remembering Olga James: The Iconic Star of ‘Carmen Jones’ Passes Away at 95

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Actress, singer, and nightclub performer Olga James, famously known for her role as the spurned lover of Harry Belafonte’s character in the groundbreaking film musical “Carmen Jones,” directed by Otto Preminger, has passed away at the age of 95.

On January 25th, James passed away at a care home in Los Angeles due to issues stemming from a fall that resulted in a broken pelvis. His niece, the actress and drama coach Janet Adderley, confirmed this to The Hollywood Reporter.

James additionally played the role of Sammy Davis Jr.’s showbiz entertainer’s fiancee in the Broadway musical “Mr. Wonderful” during 1956 and 1957, and she reappeared as Verna Kincaid, the sister-in-law of Bill Cosby’s high school gym teacher character, on his self-titled NBC sitcom from 1969 to 1971.

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James also acted as Sammy Davis Jr.’s showbiz entertainer’s fiancee in the Broadway musical “Mr. Wonderful” between 1956 and 1957, and she made multiple appearances as Verna Kincaid, a character related to Bill Cosby’s high school gym teacher role on his NBC sitcom from 1969 to 1971.

As a music enthusiast with a background from Juilliard School of Music and a trained opera singer, I found myself cast as the tormented Cindy Lou in the iconic 1954 film “Carmen Jones” by 20th Century Fox, directed in CinemaScope. The role saw me losing my troubled lover Joe (Belafonte) to the captivating title character, Dorothy Dandridge.

James is famous for his “high-voltage” singing voice, as one critic put it. He performs songs such as “You Talk Jus’ Like My Maw” (alongside Belafonte, whose voice was substituted), “My Joe” – where he shines particularly when searching for him, and “He Got His Self Another Woman.

The movie, like the 1943 stage musical that was adapted from Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera, Carmen, showcased Pearl Bailey, Brock Peters, Diahann Carroll, and Joe Adams. This film marked another all-Black musical production in Hollywood since the releases of Stormy Weather and Cabin in the Sky in 1943.

James was born in Washington D.C. on the 16th of February, 1929. Her dad played the saxophone, while her mom was a dancer. Following their separation, she grew up under the care of her grandparents. Eventually, she gained admission to Juilliard.

Upon completing her studies, she joined an opera troupe that took part in a music and arts event in Paris and later traveled with Smart Affairs, an elite Black variety show produced by impresario Larry Steele, once she got back to America.

Under the supervision of Abe Saperstein, the owner of the basketball team Harlem Globetrotters, James, who was multilingual in Italian, French, and German, performed an aria during her audition for Preminger’s production of “Carmen Jones” at the Alvin Theatre in New York. After her performance, everyone applauded, as she later recounted in Foster Hirsch’s 2007 book, “Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King.

As the newest addition to our gaming team, I joined after Belafonte and Bailey. The character I was given wasn’t too far from who I am – a down-to-earth, rustic girl. I guess you could say I slipped into the role of the ‘little ingenue’ quite easily.

In 1955, Carmen Jones helped propel her into the spotlight as a popular nightclub performer. During this time, she also made her debut on television, singing at half-time during a Globetrotters versus Washington Generals basketball game, which was orchestrated by Saperstein.

James took on the role of the supportive character, Ethel Pearson, in the production titled “Mr. Wonderful“. This show had a remarkable run of 383 performances and featured not only him but also acting greats like Jack Carter and Chita Rivera.

In due course, she became the spouse of Brian Kincaid from The Bill Cosby Show and lent her voice to a character on the 1972 NBC Saturday morning children’s program Sealab 2020, which was produced by Hanna-Barbera.

Adams was married to the renowned jazz alto saxophonist, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, from 1962 till his passing in August 1975, at the age of 46. He also married folk singer and civil rights activist, Len Chandler, starting from 1990, until his death in August 2023, aged 88.

Besides Janet, the survivors also encompass Nat Adderley Jr., who is both an arranger and pianist, as well as another niece named Alison. In addition, there are her great nieces: Akina, a talented singer-songwriter, and Alana, who partners with her mother in acting schools. Furthermore, the survivors include William, a great-great nephew, and Amelia, a great-great niece.

Rhett Bartlett contributed to this report.

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2025-02-04 17:55