McDaniel, Hattie (1895-1952), was the first African American to win an Academy Award. McDaniel won the 1939 Oscar as best supporting actress for her performance as Mammy, Scarlett O’Hara’s maid, in Gone with the Wind.
McDaniel was born on June 10, 1895, in Wichita, Kansas. She began her show business career about 1910, traveling with her family’s minstrel show. McDaniel toured as a vaudeville singer during the 1920’s. She moved to Hollywood in 1931 to pursue a career in motion pictures and appeared in her first major film in 1932, The Golden West. McDaniel appeared in many movies in the 1930’s and 1940’s, usually playing a maid or cook. Her films included I’m No Angel (1933), Show Boat (1936), Nothing Sacred and Saratoga (both 1937), In This Our Life (1942), and Song of the South (1946).
McDaniel starred in the radio comedy program “Beulah” from 1947 to 1952 before poor health forced her to leave the show. Although she filmed several episodes for the television version of “Beulah,” the programs were never telecast. McDaniel died on Oct. 26, 1952.
See also Gone with the Wind .
