Born Name:  Hattie McDaniel

Born Date:  June 10, 1893

Born Place:  Wichita, Kansas

Died Date:  October 26, 1952

Died Place:  Los Angeles, California

Occupations:  Actress, singer-songwriter, comedian

Brief Biography:  Hattie McDaniel made history as the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, taking home the 1940 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her iconic portrayal of Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939).

Early Life and Vaudeville:
Born in Wichita, Kansas, to formerly enslaved parents, McDaniel grew up surrounded by a performing family. She began her career in the early 1920s touring on the Pantages Vaudeville circuit as a singer, dancer, and comedian. She famously toured with George Morrison's orchestra and was one of the first African American women to sing on the radio in 1925.

Hollywood and Breakthrough Roles:
When vaudeville declined, McDaniel moved to Los Angeles and transitioned to films. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, she appeared in over 300 films, though she was frequently typecast as a maid or domestic servant. Despite the restricted and often stereotypical roles, McDaniel was a charismatic and sharp comedic actress. Her booming voice, expressive delivery, and magnetic timing allowed her to steal scenes from major stars like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.

The Gone with the Wind Controversy:
Her most defining role was as the outspoken and strong-willed Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939). While it earned her the Academy Award, it also drew criticism from segments of the Black community who felt the role and the film glorified the slavery system and perpetuated racist stereotypes. McDaniel consistently defended her acting choices, famously stating regarding criticism over playing maids: "Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn't, I'd be making $7 a week being one."

Later Career:
McDaniel eventually broke ground in radio, becoming the first Black woman to star in her own radio series as the lead character in Beulah.