Louise Beavers Photo

Louise Beavers

Acting

0.5 Popularity Mar 08, 1902 (60 years old) 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 nati...

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.

Filmography 152

1960
The Facts of Life Movie

as Gussie

1959
Bourbon Street Beat TV

as Mrs. Teale

1958
The Goddess Movie

as The Cook

1957
1956
Teenage Rebel Movie

as Willamay

1956
1956
Good-bye, My Lady Movie

as Bonnie Drew

1953
1953
Never Wave at a WAC Movie

as Artamesa

1952
I Dream of Jeanie Movie

as Mammy

1952
Colorado Sundown Movie

as Mattie, Jackie's Maid

1950
The Beulah Show TV

as Beulah

1950
My Blue Heaven Movie

as Selma

1950
The Jackie Robinson Story Movie

as Jackie's Mother

1949
Tell It to the Judge Movie

as Cleo, Marsha's Maid (uncredited)

1948
For the Love of Mary Movie

as Bertha

1948
Good Sam Movie

as Chloe

Photos 1

Louise Beavers Photo

Personal Details

Known For Acting
Gender Female
Birthday March 08, 1902 (60 years old)
Died October 26, 1962
Place of Birth Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Also Known As Louise Beaver
Years Active 1929 - 1970
Popularity 0.5
Career Stats
152 Total Credits
147 Movie Roles
5 TV Roles
1 Photos