Louise Beavers
Known For: Acting
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: March 8, 1902
Day of Death: October 26, 1962 (61 years old)
Place of Birth: 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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Actor Delilah Johnson
Imitation of Life
Actor Pansy
Bedside
Actor Sally
The Woman Condemned
Actor Maid
Strictly Fresh Yeggs
Actor Lily
Cheaters
Actor Heliotrope
Beggar's Holiday
Actor Crystal
I've Got Your Number
Actor Crystal
Palooka
Actor Millie
Glamour
Actor Camille
The Merry Frinks
Actor Flo - Sadie's Maid
Registered Nurse
Actor Derwent's Client - Black Mother of 12 Wanting a Divorce (uncredited)
Merry Wives of Reno
Actor Azais's Maid
A Modern Hero
Actor Suzy - Peter's Cook (uncredited)
Gambling Lady
Actor Sarah - Mary's Maid (uncredited)
Dr. Monica
Actor Mauree
West of the Pecos
Actor Maid
I Give My Love
1933
Actor Pansy (uncredited)
42nd Street
Actor Maid
A Shriek in the Night
Actor Minnie
The Story of Temple Drake
Actor Pearl
She Done Him Wrong
Actor Loretta
Bombshell
Actor Maid (scenes deleted)
The Midnight Patrol
Actor Mary's Maid Anna (uncredited)
Midnight Mary
Actor Julie, Daisy's Maid (Uncredited)
Girl Missing
Actor Lily
In the Money
Actor Anastasia
Her Splendid Folly
Actor Ophelia
Notorious But Nice
Actor Hotel Maid (uncredited)
Central Airport
Actor Elite Club Attendant (uncredited)
Hold Your Man
Actor Magnolia (uncredited)
Pick-up
Actor Lucy
Hunting Trouble
Actor Hannah
What Price Innocence?
Actor Margot's Maid
Her Bodyguard
Actor Abby (Uncredited)
Only Yesterday
Actor Minnie
The Phantom Broadcast
Actor Mandy
The Big Cage
1932
Actor Maid (uncredited)
Night World
Actor Mary's Maid Bonita
What Price Hollywood?
Actor Kay's Maid Levinnia
The Dark Horse
Actor Mammy Lou (uncredited)
Wild Girl
Actor Lulu
The Expert
Actor Ada, Janet's Maid
It's Tough to Be Famous
Actor Amanda
Unashamed
Actor Beautician (uncredited)
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Actor Mammy
Too Busy to Work
Actor Rosetta
Divorce In The Family
Actor Mattie, Natalie's maid
Street of Women
Actor Rascal's Sweetheart at Visitor's Center (uncredited)
Hell's Highway
Actor Washroom Attendant (uncredited)
The Strange Love of Molly Louvain
Actor The Maid (uncredited)
You're Telling Me
Actor Louise (Uncredited)
Doctor X
Actor Maid (Uncredited)
Young America
1931
1930
Actor Cora
She Couldn't Say No
Actor Easter
Wide Open
Actor
Knights Before Christmas
Actor Nellie - Hester's Maid
Back Pay
Actor Messalina
Safety in Numbers
Actor Angela
Bright Lights
Actor Maid (uncredited)
True to the Navy
Actor Amelia - The Mannequins' Maid (uncredited)
Our Blushing Brides
Actor Black Revivalist
Honey
Actor Convict (uncredited)
Paid
Actor Rose
Manslaughter
Actor Judy the Maid
Outside the Law
Actor Maid (uncredited)
Second Choice
Actor Maid
Recaptured Love
