Contents
Hattie McDaniel
Becoming the first Black performer to win an Academy Award.
Show Boat · Gone with the Wind
- Born
- 10 June 1893
- Birthplace
- Wichita, Kansas, United States
- Died
- 26 October 1952
More people
Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel was an American actor, singer and radio performer. She worked within a film industry that restricted Black roles, gaining recognition while navigating demeaning stereotypes and segregation.
Early life
Performing family
Grew up in Kansas and Colorado in a family of entertainers.
Early stage work
Sang and performed in touring shows before moving into radio.
Career
- 1920s
Stage and radio
Developed a professional entertainment career.
- 1931
Hollywood move
Moved to Los Angeles and began film work.
- 1940s–1950s
Broadcasting
Combined film appearances with the radio and television comedy Beulah.
Selected work
Show Boat
Played Queenie in the musical adaptation.
Gone with the Wind
Played Mammy and won the Supporting Actress Oscar.
Beulah
Played the title role on radio.
Beyond work
Industry barriers
Her Oscar recognition did not remove segregation or restrictive casting.
Award legacy
Bequeathed her Oscar to Howard University.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
