Remembering the pioneering actress, singer, and comedian Hattie McDaniel
In 1940, she made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first African American to receive an Oscar for her role in “Gone with the Wind”
Remembering the pioneering actress, singer, and comedian Hattie McDaniel
The pioneering actress, singer, and comedian Hattie McDaniel was born on June 10, 1893, in Wichita, Kansas. She broke barriers in the entertainment industry, becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award.
Hattie McDaniel was the youngest of 13 children born to formerly enslaved parents. Her family moved to Denver, Colorado, where she grew up and attended Denver East High School. McDaniel showed an early talent for singing and performing, joining her family’s minstrel show.
In the 1920s, she began her professional entertainment career, touring with vaudeville shows and performing on the radio. Her big break came when she landed a spot on the radio show “The Optimistic Do-Nut Hour,” becoming one of the first African American women to sing on American radio.
McDaniel moved to Los Angeles in the early 1930s to pursue a film career. She started with small roles, often playing maids or other stereotypical characters, but her talent and presence shone through. Her performance in the 1934 film “Judge Priest,” directed by John Ford, garnered attention and led to more significant roles.
Hattie McDaniel’s most notable role came in 1939 when she was cast as Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.” Her portrayal of the loyal but strong-willed house servant earned her critical acclaim. In 1940, she made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first African American to receive an Oscar. Her acceptance speech was a poignant moment, acknowledging the racial barriers she had overcome and expressing hope for future opportunities for African Americans in Hollywood.
Other significant films in McDaniel’s career included “Alice Adams” (1935), “Show Boat” (1936), and “In This Our Life” (1942). Despite being typecast in servile roles, she brought dignity and depth to her characters, challenging the stereotypes of the time.
Despite her Oscar win, McDaniel continued to face racial discrimination in Hollywood. She often found herself limited to playing maids and servants, roles that were the only ones available to African American actors during that era. In the 1940s, she transitioned to radio, starring in the CBS radio show “The Beulah Show,” where she played the title character, a wise and witty maid.
McDaniel reprised her role as Beulah on television in the early 1950s but had to leave the show due to health issues.
Hattie McDaniel was married four times, though none of her marriages were long-lasting, and she did not have children. She was known for her generosity, often helping fellow African American actors in need. McDaniel was also active in her community and was a founding member of the Negro Actors Guild of America, an organization dedicated to improving opportunities and conditions for African American performers.
Hattie McDaniel passed away on October 26, 1952, at the age of 59, in Los Angeles, California, due to breast cancer. Her death marked the end of a trailblazing career that had opened doors for future generations of African American actors.
Despite facing significant racial barriers, she left a mark on Hollywood and paved the way for future African American actors and actresses. Her Oscar win remains a historic milestone, and her contributions to film, radio, and television are celebrated to this day. McDaniel’s courage and perseverance continue to inspire, reminding us of the importance of diversity and representation in the arts.
Look back at a clip from the 1939 classic “Gone With The Wind” featuring Hattie McDaniel as Mammy, a role that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
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