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Olga James Dies: ‘Carmen Jones’ Star Was 95


Olga James costarred with Harry Belafonte in Otto Preminger's classic 1954 musical film 'Carmen Jones.'

Olga James, the singer and actor who costarred with Harry Belafonte in Otto Preminger’s classic 1954 musical film Carmen Jones, died January 25 at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles. Born February 16, 1929, in Washington D.C. 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. After returning to America, she was hired to perform in the all-Black revu e at Atlantic City’s Club Harlem.

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