BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

Hugh Gaddy · Wednesday, June 10th 2009 at 1:35AM · 223 views

Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel, The First Black American To Win An Academy Award, Was Born On June 10, 1895 In Wichita, Kansas. On February 29, 1940 Hattie McDaniel Won The Oscar For Best Supporting Actress For Her Role As Mammy In The 1939 Film, Gone With The Wind. McDaniel Began Her Career On The Vaudeville Circuit. An Excellent Blues Singer, She Was The First Black Woman To Sing On Radio. She Starred In The Beulah Series On Both Radio And Television. During The 1930's And 1940's, McDaniel Acted In Over 70 Films. Her Roles Were Nearly All The Same---The Supportive And Outspoken "Mammy" Type, Which She Perfected In Gone With The Wind. When Asked About Her Limited Movie Roles McDaniel Said "I'd Rather Play A Maid Than Be One." McDaniel Has Two Stars On The Hollywood Walk of Fame: One For Her Contributions To Radio At 6933 Hollywood Boulevard, And One For Motion Pictures At 1719 Vine Street. In 1975, She Was Inducted Into The Black Filmmakers Hall Of Fame, And In 2006 Became The First Black Oscar Winner Honored With A US Postage Stamp. Hattie McDaniel Died At Age 57, On October 26, 1952 "In Order For Black History To Live We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy. Jr.

BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

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