1902-03-08 Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Louise Beavers (March 8, 1902 – October 26, 1962) was an American film and television actress. Beavers appeared in dozens of films and two hit television shows from the 1920s until 1960, most often cast in the role of a maid, servant, or slave. She was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, one of the four African-American sororities. Beavers was a breakthrough actress for black women and became known as a symbol of a "mammy" on the screen. A mammy archetype "is the portrayal within a narrative framework or other imagery of a black domestic servant, generally good-natured, often overweight, and loud". Louise Beavers started her career in the 1920s. At the time, black people in films were limited to acting in only very few roles, usually as slaves or domestic help. She played the "mammy" in many of the movies she acted in. She started to gain more attention in the acting world after she played the role of Julia in Coquette, which starred Mary Pickford. In this film she played the black maid and mother figure to a young white woman. She once received a review which stated: "Personally, Miss Beavers is just splendid, just as fine as she appears on screen, but she also has a charm all her own, which needs no screen role for recognition. She has a very pleasing personality, one that draws people to her instantly and makes them feel that they are meeting a friend instead of a Hollywood Star." Beavers had an attractive personality, and often played roles in which she helps a white protagonist mature in the course of the movie. In 1934, Beavers played Delilah in Imitation of Life in a dramatic role. Her character again plays a black maid, but instead of the usual stereotypical comedic or purely functional role, Delilah's story line is a secondary parallel plot. The public reacted positively to Beavers' performance. It was not only a breakthrough for Beavers, but was also "the first time in American cinema history that a black woman's problems were given major emotional weight in a major Hollywood motion picture". Some in the media recognized the unfairness of Hollywood's double standard regarding race. For example, California Graphic Magazine wrote, "the Academy could not recognize Miss Beavers. She is black!" As Beavers' career grew, some criticized her for the roles she accepted, alleging that such roles institutionalized the view that blacks were subservient to whites. Beavers dismissed the criticism. She acknowledged the limited opportunities available, but said: "I am only playing the parts. I don't live them." As she became more famous, Beavers began to speak against Hollywood's portrayal and treatment of black Americans, both during production and after promoting the films. Beavers became active in public life, seeking to help support African Americans. In later life, Beavers was plagued by health issues, including diabetes. She died on October 26, 1962, at the age of 60, following a heart attack. Beavers was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1976.
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All the Fine Young Cannibals | Rose | 1960-09-15 |
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The Facts of Life | Gussie | 1960-11-14 |
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The Goddess | The Cook | 1958-06-24 |
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Tammy and the Bachelor | Osia | 1957-06-14 |
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Teenage Rebel | Willamay | 1956-11-01 |
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You Can't Run Away from It | Maid | 1956-10-30 |
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Good-bye, My Lady | Bonnie Drew | 1956-05-12 |
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Never Wave at a WAC | Artamesa | 1953-01-28 |
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I Dream of Jeanie | Mammy | 1952-06-15 |
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Colorado Sundown | Mattie, Jackie's Maid | 1952-02-08 |
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My Blue Heaven | Selma | 1950-09-15 |
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The Jackie Robinson Story | Jackie's Mother | 1950-05-16 |
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Tell It to the Judge | Cleo, Marsha's Maid (uncredited) | 1949-11-18 |
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Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House | Gussie | 1948-03-25 |
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Good Sam | Chloe | 1948-09-01 |
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For the Love of Mary | Bertha | 1948-09-01 |
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A Southern Yankee | Laundry Woman | 1948-08-05 |
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Banjo | Lindy | 1947-05-15 |
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Young Widow | Rosie | 1946-03-01 |
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Lover Come Back | Martha, Kay's Maid | 1946-06-21 |
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Lover Come Back | Martha | 1946-06-21 |
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Delightfully Dangerous | Hannah | 1945-03-31 |
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South of Dixie | Magnolia Brown / Chloe | 1944-06-23 |
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Barbary Coast Gent | Bedelia | 1944-09-01 |
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Dixie Jamboree | Sam the Deckhand | 1944-08-15 |
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Dixie Jamboree | Opal | 1944-08-15 |
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Good Morning, Judge | Cleo | 1943-05-07 |
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All by Myself | Willie | 1943-06-11 |
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Du Barry Was a Lady | Niagara | 1943-08-13 |
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There's Something About a Soldier | Birdie | 1943-11-30 |
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Top Man | Cleo | 1943-09-17 |
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Reap the Wild Wind | Maum Maria | 1942-03-26 |
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Young America | Pansy | 1942-02-06 |
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Seven Sweethearts | Petunia, the Maid | 1942-11-13 |
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Holiday Inn | Mamie | 1942-01-01 |
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The Big Street | Ruby, Gloria's Maid (Uncredited) | 1942-08-13 |
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The Vanishing Virginian | Aunt Emmeline | 1942-02-01 |
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Virginia | Ophelia | 1941-01-28 |
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Sign of the Wolf | Beulah | 1941-03-25 |
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Belle Starr | Mammy Lou | 1941-09-12 |
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Shadow of the Thin Man | Stella | 1941-11-21 |
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Kisses for Breakfast | Clotilda | 1941-07-05 |
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Primrose Path | Woman Talking to Police (uncredited) | 1940-03-22 |
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Women Without Names | Ivory | 1940-03-14 |
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I Want a Divorce | Celestine | 1940-09-20 |
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Parole Fixer | Aunt Lindy | 1940-02-02 |
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No Time for Comedy | Clementine | 1940-09-14 |
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The Lady's from Kentucky | Aunt Tina | 1939-04-27 |
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Reform School | Mother Barton | 1939-04-27 |
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Made for Each Other | Lily (uncredited) | 1939-02-10 |
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Life Goes On | Sally Weston | 1938-04-01 |
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Scandal Street | Clairce | 1938-02-11 |
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Brother Rat | Jenny | 1938-10-29 |
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The Headleys at Home | Hyacinth | 1938-11-01 |
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Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus | Cassey | 1938-12-02 |
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Love in a Bungalow | Millie | 1937-06-27 |
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Wings Over Honolulu | Mammy | 1937-05-16 |
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Make Way for Tomorrow | Mamie | 1937-05-09 |
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The Last Gangster | Gloria | 1937-11-12 |
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Wives Never Know | Florabelle | 1936-09-18 |
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General Spanky | Cornelia | 1936-12-11 |
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Rainbow on the River | Toinette | 1936-12-18 |
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Bullets or Ballots | Nellie LaFleur | 1936-06-06 |
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Annapolis Farewell | Miranda | 1935-08-23 |
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Merry Wives of Reno | Derwent's Client - Black Mother of 12 Wanting a Divorce (uncredited) | 1934-04-18 |
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The Woman Condemned | Sally | 1934-04-03 |
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Gambling Lady | Suzy - Peter's Cook (uncredited) | 1934-03-08 |
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I Believed in You | Prisoner | 1934-04-09 |
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Imitation of Life | Delilah Johnson | 1934-11-23 |
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West of the Pecos | Mauree | 1934-12-27 |
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Bedside | Pansy | 1934-01-27 |
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Strictly Fresh Yeggs | Maid | 1934-04-06 |
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Dr. Monica | Sarah - Mary's Maid (uncredited) | 1934-06-23 |
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I've Got Your Number | Crystal | 1934-02-24 |
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A Modern Hero | Azais's Maid | 1934-04-21 |
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Cheaters | Lily | 1934-05-11 |
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Palooka | Crystal | 1934-01-26 |
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I Give My Love | Maid | 1934-07-17 |
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Beggar's Holiday | Heliotrope | 1934-08-17 |
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Glamour | Millie | 1934-04-09 |
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The Merry Frinks | Camille | 1934-05-26 |
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Registered Nurse | Flo - Sadie's Maid | 1934-04-06 |
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Only Yesterday | Abby (Uncredited) | 1933-11-01 |
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Her Bodyguard | Margot's Maid | 1933-07-21 |
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The Phantom Broadcast | Minnie | 1933-03-14 |
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Hunting Trouble | Lucy | 1933-02-08 |
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Her Splendid Folly | Anastasia | 1933-10-07 |
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Hold Your Man | Elite Club Attendant (uncredited) | 1933-06-30 |
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A Shriek in the Night | Maid | 1933-07-22 |
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Central Airport | Hotel Maid (uncredited) | 1933-04-15 |
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Pick-up | Magnolia (uncredited) | 1933-03-24 |
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Girl Missing | Julie, Daisy's Maid (Uncredited) | 1933-03-04 |
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What Price Innocence? | Hannah | 1933-06-24 |
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The Midnight Patrol | Maid (scenes deleted) | 1933-08-03 |
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In the Money | Lily | 1933-11-06 |
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The Story of Temple Drake | Minnie | 1933-05-06 |
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42nd Street | Pansy (uncredited) | 1933-03-11 |
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Bombshell | Loretta | 1933-10-13 |
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Notorious But Nice | Ophelia | 1933-08-04 |
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The Big Cage | Mandy | 1933-05-01 |
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Midnight Mary | Mary's Maid Anna (uncredited) | 1933-06-30 |
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She Done Him Wrong | Pearl | 1933-02-09 |
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The Dark Horse | Kay's Maid Levinnia | 1932-06-16 |
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Night World | Maid (uncredited) | 1932-05-04 |
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The Greeks Had a Word for Them | Beautician (uncredited) | 1932-02-03 |
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What Price Hollywood? | Mary's Maid Bonita | 1932-06-24 |
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Young America | Maid (Uncredited) | 1932-04-17 |
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Doctor X | Louise (Uncredited) | 1932-08-03 |
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The Strange Love of Molly Louvain | Washroom Attendant (uncredited) | 1932-05-28 |
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It's Tough to Be Famous | Ada, Janet's Maid | 1932-04-02 |
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Unashamed | Amanda | 1932-07-02 |
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Street of Women | Mattie, Natalie's maid | 1932-06-04 |
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The Expert | Lulu | 1932-03-05 |
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Too Busy to Work | Mammy | 1932-12-02 |
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You're Telling Me | The Maid (uncredited) | 1932-04-16 |
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Divorce In The Family | Rosetta | 1932-08-27 |
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Wild Girl | Mammy Lou (uncredited) | 1932-11-09 |
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Hell's Highway | Rascal's Sweetheart at Visitor's Center (uncredited) | 1932-09-23 |
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Reckless Living | Maid | 1931-10-20 |
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Six Cylinder Love | 1931-05-10 | |
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Ladies of the Big House | Ivory | 1931-12-26 |
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Good Sport | September | 1931-12-12 |
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Party Husband | Laura's Maid | 1931-06-06 |
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Don't Bet on Women | Maid (uncredited) | 1931-02-15 |
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Girls About Town | Hattie | 1931-11-07 |
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Sundown Trail | Auntie Jenny | 1931-09-11 |
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Millie | Maid (uncredited) | 1931-02-06 |
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Second Choice | Maid (uncredited) | 1930-01-04 |
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Recaptured Love | Maid | 1930-07-07 |
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True to the Navy | Maid (uncredited) | 1930-05-25 |
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Safety in Numbers | Messalina | 1930-05-30 |
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Bright Lights | Angela | 1930-09-21 |
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Back Pay | Nellie - Hester's Maid | 1930-06-01 |
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Knights Before Christmas | 1930-11-15 | |
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She Couldn't Say No | Cora | 1930-02-15 |
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Wide Open | Easter | 1930-02-01 |
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Outside the Law | Judy the Maid | 1930-09-18 |
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Our Blushing Brides | Amelia - The Mannequins' Maid (uncredited) | 1930-07-19 |
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Paid | Convict (uncredited) | 1930-12-30 |
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Manslaughter | Rose | 1930-07-22 |
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Honey | Black Revivalist | 1930-03-29 |
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Barnum Was Right | Maid | 1929-09-22 |
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Coquette | Julia | 1929-03-30 |
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Glad Rag Doll | Hannah | 1929-05-04 |
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Election Day | Farina's mother | 1929-01-12 |
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Wall Street | Magnolia | 1929-12-01 |
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Thunderbolt | Black Cat Cafe Patron (uncredited) | 1929-06-20 |
