Olga James, the singer and actress who starred alongside Harry Belafonte in Otto Preminger’s 1954 musical classic Carmen Jones, passed away on January 25 at the age of 95 at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles. Her family announced her passing through Deadline.
Olga James was an American actress and singer best known for her role in Otto Preminger’s classic 1954 musical film Carmen Jones. Born in Washington, D.C., on September 16, 1929, James grew up with a passion for music and the performing arts. She pursued formal training at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she honed her vocal talents.
James made her mark in Hollywood with her breakout role as Cindy Lou in Carmen Jones, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical inspired by Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. Starring alongside legends such as Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte, she portrayed the sweet and innocent fiancée of Joe (Belafonte’s character), offering a stark contrast to the fiery Carmen. Despite the film’s immense success, Black actresses faced limited opportunities in Hollywood at the time, and James transitioned primarily to music and stage work.
James also starred alongside Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1956 Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful. On television, she portrayed Verna Kincaid in The Bill Cosby Show (1969-1971), playing the sister-in-law of Bill Cosby’s main character.
In addition to her film career, James was a gifted vocalist who performed in concerts and on television. Her musical talents were recognized early in her career, and she became a respected figure in the entertainment industry, especially within African American artistic circles. She also made guest appearances on television.
Olga James, #CarmenJones Actress & Singer, dies at 95. She also starred on Broadway alongside Sammy Davis Jr. in #MrWonderful. James attended the Juilliard School of Music and was trained as an opera singer. She was married to famed musicians Cannonball Adderley & Len Chandler. pic.twitter.com/V6JydPVPPF
— TCM fan 💖Classic Movies & Television🎦 📺📚🤒 ♿️ (@thetalentguru) February 4, 2025
James was married to Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, the renowned jazz saxophonist, until his passing in 1975. Their marriage linked her to the world of jazz, and she remained active in the music community, supporting various artistic and cultural endeavors.
Despite maintaining a lower profile in later years, James’ contributions to film and music left a lasting legacy. She broke barriers for African American actresses in Hollywood and helped pave the way for future generations of Black performers.
In 1990, James married singer and civil rights activist Len Chandler, who passed away in 2023. At the time of her death, she went by her full name, Olga James Adderle-Chandler, according to Deadline.
