Mildred Joanne Smith

Mildred Joanne Smith (May 16, 1921 – July 19, 2015) was an American actress, singer, magazine editor and teacher. In her brief acting career, she performed in a number of Broadway shows and in only one film, No Way Out, alongside Sidney Poitier.

Early life and career Raised in Struthers, Ohio, Smith performed in fourteen Broadway theatre productions during the 1940s, including Men to the Sea, Mamba's Daughters, Forward the Heart, and A Long Way From Home. She also played Alfred Drake's love interest in the Broadway production of Beggar's Holiday. All of Smith's 1940s Broadway shows were short-lived, but her performances received excellent reviews.

In 1950, Smith made her feature film début in the drama No Way Out, portraying Cora Brooks, the wife of Sidney Poitier's character, Dr. Luther Brooks. Despite receiving again positive reviews for her performance, she was not offered any further film roles.

After recovering from the accident, Smith continued on her singing career, performing alongside artists like Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in the London production of "Cockles and Champagne."