Hattie McDaniel

Date of Birth: June 10, 1893

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: October 26, 1952

Biography

Hattie McDaniel was an American actress, singer-songwriter, and comedian. Born on June 10, 1893, in Wichita, Kansas, she became best known for her role as Mammy in the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This made her the first African American to win an Oscar. McDaniel’s career began in radio, where she became one of the first African American women to sing on the radio in the United States. Her transition to film came in the early 1930s, and she quickly became a sought-after character actress, often portraying maids and other supporting roles. Despite the limited and often stereotypical roles available to African American actors at the time, McDaniel’s talent and charisma made her a beloved figure in Hollywood. In addition to her acting career, McDaniel was a civil rights activist and an advocate for racial equality. She faced criticism from some quarters for the roles she accepted, but she used her platform to challenge racial barriers and pave the way for future generations of African American actors. McDaniel passed away on October 26, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Hattie McDaniel

1. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award.

2. She was one of the first African American women to sing on the radio in the United States.

3. McDaniel has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one for her contributions to radio and one for her contributions to film.

4. She was a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, one of the four historically Black sororities.

5. McDaniel was heavily involved in the fight against racial segregation in Hollywood and was an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hattie McDaniel

1. “I’d rather play a maid than be one.”

2. “Faith is the black person’s federal reserve system.”

3. “I am loathe to work on something when I am not committed to the project.”

4. “I did my best, and God did the rest.”

5. “You can best fight any existing evil from the inside.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her career, Hattie McDaniel’s net worth was estimated to be around $10,000, a significant sum for an African American entertainer in the early 20th century. Adjusted for inflation, this would be approximately $100,000 today.