Jane White, a talented actress of African-American descent, was born on October 30, 1922, in New York City. She pursued her education at Smith College and The New School, laying the foundation for her future success.
In 1945, White made her Broadway debut in the thought-provoking production of Strange Fruit, a performance that was followed by a string of notable roles in various stage productions, including Razzle Dazzle, The Insect Comedy, The Climate of Eden, Take a Giant Step, Jane Eyre, and The Power and The Glory.
Her impressive stage career reached new heights in 1959 when she originated the role of Queen Aggravain in the acclaimed musical Once Upon a Mattress, sharing the spotlight with Carol Burnett and Joseph Bova.
In addition to her extensive work on stage, White also made significant contributions to television, including a 1979 stint on the soap operas The Edge of Night, A World Apart, and Search for Tomorrow. Notably, she was one of the first African-American actresses to play a role under contract on soap operas, originating the role of Lyndia Holliday, R. N. on The Edge of Night.
In 1998, White brought her remarkable talent to the big screen, playing the role of Lady Jones, a schoolteacher, in the movie adaptation of Toni Morrison's celebrated novel Beloved.
