Here are some images of Hattie McDaniel, the trailblazing actress and singer whose impact still resonates today.
Hattie McDaniel – Trailblazer & Icon
Profile Highlights
Full Name & Life
- Born June 10, either 1893 or 1895, in Wichita, Kansas; she passed away on October 26, 1952, in California.
- Daughter of parents who had been enslaved; her father was a Civil War veteran.
Career Beginnings & Entertainment Milestones
- Left school as a teenager to perform in minstrel and vaudeville shows. In 1924, she became one of the first Black women to sing on U.S. radio.
- Moved to Los Angeles in the early 1930s, landing minor film roles—often uncredited—typically as maids or servants.
Academy Award & “Gone with the Wind”
- In 1940, Hattie McDaniel made history as the first African American to win an Academy Award, taking home the Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939).
- At the segregated Oscars ceremony held at the Ambassador Hotel, she was forced to sit at a separate table, away from her white co-stars.
- She delivered a moving, heartfelt acceptance speech—one she co-wrote—saying, “I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry.
Radio, Television & Advocacy
- In 1947, starred on The Beulah Show, becoming the first Black woman to lead her own radio program, which later transitioned to television.
- Actively engaged in civil rights; notably campaigned against racially restrictive housing covenants in Los Angeles.
Battling Segregation—Even Beyond Life
- McDaniel’s wish to be buried in the esteemed Hollywood Forever Cemetery was denied due to segregation; she was instead interred at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery.
- Her award—a plaque honoring her Oscar—was donated to Howard University by her will but later went missing. In 2023, the Academy announced plans to present a replacement award to Howard during a ceremony titled “Hattie’s Come Home.”
Later Honors & Legacy
- Posthumously honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (for radio and film).
- Became the first Black Oscar winner featured on a U.S. postage stamp (2006) and was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010.
- Cynthia Erivo’s 2025 Oscars gown paid tribute to McDaniel’s trailblazing legacy.
- Recognized among 25 iconic women in movie history for breaking barriers in Hollywood.
Quick Snapshot
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | June 10, 1893 or 1895 – Wichita, Kansas |
| Died | October 26, 1952 – California |
| Firsts | First Black woman on U.S. radio; first Black Oscar winner; first to lead her own radio/TV show |
| Oscar Achievement | Best Supporting Actress, Gone with the Wind (1939) |
| Rights Advocacy | Fought segregated housing practices |
| Final Requests Denied | Denied burial in Hollywood cemetery due to race |
| Significant Honors | Hollywood Walk of Fame (x2), postage stamp, Hall of Fame inductions |
| Recent Tribute | Replacement Oscar presented to Howard University; featured as inspiration in pop culture |
Hattie McDaniel’s journey was a mix of historic triumphs and oppressive obstacles. She shattered ceilings despite facing systemic racism, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.
