[1] Like many black actresses of her generation, Curtis was often cast as a maid or cook, often uncredited bit parts,[2] in films during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

[3] Her credited appearances included roles in The Wages of Sin (1938), Second Chorus (1940), Mom and Dad (1945),[4] The Lawton Story (1949),[5] Native Son (1951),[6] Oiltown USA (1953), and Queen Bee (1955).

[7] Among her many uncredited roles, she appeared with Our Gang in Unexpected Riches (1942) and Tale of a Dog (1944), and clowned with Shemp Howard in Pick a Peck of Plumbers (1944).

[8] On television, Curtis appeared in episodes of Death Valley Days (1953),[9] The Life of Riley (1953), The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951, 1953, 1955), Four Star Playhouse (1955), Stories of the Century (1955), Cavalcade of America (1955), The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1957), Wide Country (1963), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1963),[10] and Ben Casey (1964).

[11] She also worked as a singer with fellow Amos 'n Andy performer Jester Hairston,[12] and headed the concert committee of the historic First A. M. E. Church in Los Angeles.