Hattie McDaniel Changed Hollywood Forever
Take a look back at the revolutionary Oscar-winner's life in photos.
Hattie McDaniel was truly an icon. The actress, best known for her performance as "Mammy" in the film Gone with the Wind, broke barriers throughout her life. She was the first person of color to win an Academy Award, the first black actor to star in a radio or television program, and the first black woman to sing on American radio. In being "the first" for countless endeavors, the actress experienced hardships—racism and prejudice were incredibly prevalent and McDaniel was often confined to the part of maid or servant because of her race. Throughout her life, McDaniel appeared in over 300 films, but received screen credits for only 83. In her Academy Award acceptance speech, she stated, "I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry." And, indeed, while there was (and is) still much work to be done, McDaniel changed Hollywood forever.
In the new Netflix series Hollywood, Queen Latifah plays McDaniel and conveys parts of the struggle she experienced in Hollywood. In light of this new portrayal, we decided to look back at the real McDaniel's life, and some of the roles that made her famous.
1934
McDaniel bathed actresses Jean Parker and Marion Davies in the movie, Operator 13. Throughout her career, McDaniel was often confined to the role of a maid or servant because of her race.
1935
In a still from the movie The Little Colonel, McDaniel is shown with actresses Evelyn Venable and Shirley Temple.
1936
McDaniel was featured in the promotional materials for Show Boat, a film starring Allan Jones and Irene Dunne. McDaniel had a featured role as "Queenie" in the musical movie.
1936
In a still from Show Boat, McDaniel performed with actors Irene Dunne, Paul Robeson, and Helen Morgan.
1939
In a still from Gone with the Wind, Mammy (McDaniel) tightens Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh)'s corset. The drama, directed by Victor Fleming, became one of the most famous movies of all time and has consistently in been in the top ten of the American Film Institute's best American films.
1939
In another scene from Gone with the Wind, McDaniel and Leigh act out an exchange between Mammy and Scarlett. McDaniel won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her performance in the film.
1939
In this Gone with the Wind scene, Mammy comforts Scarlett. Vivien Leigh also won an Academy Award for her work in the film.
1940
McDaniel posed with her plaque for Best Supporting Role by an Actress, given at the 12th Annual Banquet of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
1940
McDaniel was presented her Academy Award by actress Fay Bainter. McDaniel was the first person of color to win an Oscar.
1940
Another portrait of McDaniel with her landmark Academy Award.
1941
McDaniel acted alongside Bette Davis in the drama, The Great Lie.
1944
McDaniel was featured in promotional materials for the comedy film, Hi, Beautiful.
1946
McDaniel once again played a maid in the 1946 romantic comedy, Margie, starring Jeanne Crain. The film was a box office hit, ranking in the top 15 highest-grossing films of that year.
1946
McDaniel was featured in more promotional materials for Margie.
1947
In McDaniel's final performance, she played the title role in the comedy series, Beulah. Beulah made McDaniel the first black actor to ever star in her own radio show. The show later ran on television and became the first sitcom to star an African American actress.
1948
McDaniel is shown in character, filming Beulah. The show became ABC television's first hit situation comedy.
1948
Here, McDaniel cooks in character for Beulah, when the show ran on television. Tragically, during the show's run, McDaniel learned she had breast cancer, and became too ill to work by spring 1952. She died in October of that year.
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