• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Immunocompromised Care
    • Top Blacks in Healthcare
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / / Hattie McDaniel: Hollywood’s First Black Movie Star You Didn’t Know

Hattie McDaniel: Hollywood’s First Black Movie Star You Didn’t Know

Hattie McDanielIn light of 2016’s 88th Annual Academy Awards controversy with no nominees of color being recognized, we turn back the clock and look at actress Hattie McDaniel, the first Black woman ever to win an Oscar at the 12th Annual Academy Awards over 65 years ago. Many think that Hattie was just content playing the “mammy” or servant role, but there are sides of Hattie that you may not know.

In addition to acting, McDaniel was a professional singer-songwriter, comedian, stage actress, radio performer, and television star. She was the first black woman to sing on the radio in the U.S. During her career, McDaniel appeared in over 300 films, although she received screen credits for only nearly 80 of them.

READ: Pam ‘Foxy Brown’ Grier Is Tougher Than Rape, Cancer, And Hollywood

In fact, McDaniel has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood: one at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard for her contributions to radio and one at 1719 Vine Street for motion pictures. In 1975, she was inducted posthumously into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

Hattie McDaniel

In her acceptance speech at the 12th Annual Academy Awards on February 29, 1940, Hattie’s words were brief and to the point:

You May Also Like
Learn About Merck's Research Studies for Patients with Colorectal Cancer

“Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, fellow members of the motion picture industry and honored guests: This is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I want to thank each one of you who had a part in selecting me for one of their awards, for your kindness. It has made me feel very, very humble; and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything that I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you.”

McDaniel received a plaque-style Oscar, approximately 5 1/2 x 6 inches, the type awarded to all Best Supporting Actors and Actresses at that time. McDaniel and her escort were required to sit at a segregated table for two

HattieMcDaniel Walk of fameMcDaniel was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, one of four African-American Greek letter sororities in the United States at the time. During World War II, she served as chairman of the “Negro Division” of the Hollywood Victory Committee, providing entertainment for soldiers stationed at military bases. (The military was segregated, and black entertainers were not allowed to serve on white entertainment committees.) She elicited the help of her friend, actor Leigh Whipper, and other black entertainers for her committee. She also made numerous personal appearances at military hospitals, threw parties, and performed at United Service Organizations (USO) shows and war bond rallies to raise funds to support the war on behalf of the Victory Committee.

She joined actor Clarence Muse, one of the first black members of the Screen Actors Guild, in an NBC radio broadcast to raise funds for Red Cross relief programs for Americans that had been displaced by devastating floods and gained a reputation for generosity, lending money to friends and strangers alike.

You May Also Like
Real Housewives Star Describes Terrifying Medical Experience!

McDaniel died at age 57 on October 26, 1952, of breast cancer in the hospital on the grounds of the Motion Picture House in Woodland Hills.

Detailed in Hattie’s will was her wish to be buried in the Hollywood Cemetery, which is where many other stars were buried. But Hollywood Cemetery refused to allow her to be buried there, because it didn’t bury the bodies of black people. Her second choice was Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery, where she lies today.

In 1999, Tyler Cassidy, the new owner of the Hollywood Cemetery that had renamed it…

Continue Reading

The Latest In

Actress Marsai Martin Diagnosed with Ovarian Cysts: “Pain is Not Normal”

We've seen actress Marsai Martin has literally grow up on screen right before our eyes. From her sassy, intelligent role on the hit show "Black-ish" to her boss moves when she, at age 13, became an executive producer of her read more about Actress Marsai Martin Diagnosed with Ovarian Cysts: “Pain is Not Normal”
heart failure device

Which Heart Failure Device Is Right For You?

The treatment options for heart failure will vary depending on how badly your heart has been affected. If your heart’s function is significantly affected, your doctor might suggest getting an implant. Since there are different devices available, it’s good to read more about Which Heart Failure Device Is Right For You?
sugar cravings

5 Ways to Tackle Your Sugar Cravings Instantly!

Do you find yourself guilty of craving something sweet after a meal? You often find yourself saying “Now I need something sweet.” If that's the case, you're not alone! The urge for sugar is a common experience for many. However, read more about 5 Ways to Tackle Your Sugar Cravings Instantly!
down syndrome

What to Expect When Raising a Black Child with Down Syndrome

If you find yourself on the incredible journey of raising a child with Down Syndrome, rest assured that you're not alone. In the United States, for every 700 births, one baby enters the world with Down Syndrome, and that number read more about What to Expect When Raising a Black Child with Down Syndrome
how to stop your toddler from hitting

Black Moms: How To Stop Your Toddler From Hitting

Aggressive behavior, including hitting, can be a normal part of your toddler's development. Here's why it happens and what you can do about it. Why Toddlers Hit Toddlers are delightful because they learn rapidly, become independent, and want to do read more about Black Moms: How To Stop Your Toddler From Hitting
HIV/AIDS status

Do You Know Your HIV/AIDS Status?

Have you had your Flu shot this year? What was your last total cholesterol and LDL level ? Have you had your scheduled mammogram to screen for Breast cancer? Have you had a colonoscopy or Cologuard to screen for colon read more about Do You Know Your HIV/AIDS Status?

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

Benefits of Oil Pulling

benefits of oil pulling

Pregnancy and Fibroids? 6 Facts Black Women Need To Know

Pregnancy and Fibroids

Relieve Bunion Pain Without Surgery

bunion pain

Actress Marsai Martin Diagnosed with Ovarian Cysts: “Pain is Not Normal”

Actress Marsai Martin Diagnosed with Ovarian Cysts: “Pain is Not Normal”

5 Ways to Tackle Your Sugar Cravings Instantly!

sugar cravings
Find a Culturally Sensitive Doctor

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Resource Centers

  • Clinical Trials
  • Wellness on the Yard
  • Cancer
  • Immunocompromised Care
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.