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Louise Beavers

Biography: 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.

Place of Birth: Not available

Birthday: March 08, 1902

Deathday: October 26, 1962

Popularity:

7.22

Known For

42nd Street

1933-03-11

Overview: A producer puts on what may be his last Broadway show, and at the last moment a chorus girl has to replace the star.

Genres: Comedy Drama Romance

Original Language: en

Release Date: 1933-03-11

Popularity:

7.22

Rating:

Votes: 183

Louise Beavers

Known For

42nd Street

The Goddess

A Shriek in the Night

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Holiday Inn

Bullets or Ballots

The Story of Temple Drake

The Last Gangster

Shadow of the Thin Man

The Jackie Robinson Story

Du Barry was a Lady

She Done Him Wrong

Bombshell

A Southern Yankee

Reap the Wild Wind

The Facts of Life

The Midnight Patrol

Imitation of Life

Made for Each Other

Midnight Mary

Belle Starr

Night World

What Price Hollywood?

Coquette

Teenage Rebel

The Dark Horse

Girls About Town

Bedside

Colorado Sundown

Millie

No Time for Comedy

Wild Girl

Reckless Living

Sign of the Wolf

She Couldn't Say No

Girl Missing

Young Widow

The Expert

Kisses for Breakfast

It's Tough to Be Famous

Wide Open

The Woman Condemned

Election Day

Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus

In the Money

I Want a Divorce

Lover Come Back

Strictly Fresh Yeggs

Virginia

Unashamed

Women Without Names

Cheaters

Knights Before Christmas

Banjo

Beggar's Holiday

The Greeks Had a Word for Them

Back Pay

My Blue Heaven

I've Got Your Number

Love in a Bungalow

Good Sport

For the Love of Mary

Ladies of the Big House

Her Splendid Folly

Make Way for Tomorrow

Palooka

Too Busy to Work

Good-bye, My Lady

Safety in Numbers

Brother Rat

Bright Lights

Glamour

The Merry Frinks

True to the Navy