Old Hollywood Stars Who Were Forced to Live a Double Life

Hazel Scott was a dazzling pianist, singer, and actress who could play classical music and jazz with equal force. She appeared in films such as The Heat’s On and later became the first Black American to host a television program, but she refused Hollywood’s usual rules from the start.

Scott rejected offers to play singing maids and insisted on appearing as herself in elegant clothing. During The Heat’s On, she halted production when Black women were given dirty aprons for a wartime scene. The costumes were changed, but her protest reportedly helped end her film career.