Sonya Wilde's big claim to celebrity was her starring role in the 1960 movie I Passed For White.
The screenplay was based on a novel by Mary Hastings Bradley, better known for her books about Africa,her war reporting during WW II for Collier's magazine, and her mystery and travel books and stories.
The main character was Reba Lee, a beautiful, accomplished Chicago girl who was African American, but who had very light skin. She moves to New York City, meets and marries a wealthy young man played by the dashing James Franciscus. He, and the other people in her new life, are not aware of her racial background.
At this time in U.S. history, segregation reigned. When her background is revealed, the couple divorce and Reba moves back to Chicago.
The story would make present-day audiences' skin crawl; hence the movie is not often mentioned. Nevertheless, Sonya Wilde did a fine job in this role, though it was her one big movie hit. She also appeared in two 1961 episodes of the TV show Perry Mason.
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