Nina Mae McKinney

Nina Mae McKinney
McKinney in costume, 1929 film Hallelujah
Born
Nannie Mayme McKinney

(1912-06-12)June 12, 1912
DiedMay 3, 1967(1967-05-03) (aged 54)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesNina McKinney,
The Black Garbo
OccupationActress
Years active19271967
Spouse
James "Jimmy" Monroe
(m. 1931; div. 1938)

Nina Mae McKinney (June 12, 1912 May 3, 1967) was an American actress who worked internationally during the 1930s and in the postwar period in theatre, film and television, after beginning her career on Broadway and in Hollywood. Dubbed "The Black Garbo" in Europe because of her striking beauty, McKinney was both one of the first African-American film stars in the United States and one of the first African-Americans to appear on British television.