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.
Acted in 146
1960s
- 1960
All the Fine Young Cannibals
Rose
1950s
- 1959
The Swamp Fox
TV
- 1958
The Goddess
The Cook
- 1957
The Hostess with the Mostes'
Mattie Mae
- 1956
You Can't Run Away from It
Maid
Good-bye, My Lady
Bonnie Drew
- 1953
- 1952
Colorado Sundown
Mattie, Jackie's Maid
- 1950
My Blue Heaven
Selma
1940s
- 1949
Tell It to the Judge
Cleo, Marsha's Maid (uncredited)
- 1948
For the Love of Mary
Bertha
A Southern Yankee
Laundry Woman
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
Gussie
- 1947
Banjo
Aunt Lindy
- 1946
Lover Come Back
Martha, Martha, Kay's Maid
Young Widow
Rosie
- 1945
Delightfully Dangerous
Hannah
- 1944
Barbary Coast Gent
Bedelia
Dixie Jamboree
Opal, Sam the Deckhand
South of Dixie
Magnolia Brown / Chloe
- 1943
There's Something About a Soldier
Birdie
Top Man
Cleo
All by Myself
Willie
Good Morning, Judge
Cleo
- 1942
Seven Sweethearts
Petunia, the Maid
The Big Street
Ruby (uncredited)
Young America
Pansy
The Vanishing Virginian
Aunt Emmeline
- 1941
Kisses for Breakfast
Clotilda
Sign of the Wolf
Beulah
Virginia
Ophelia
- 1940
I Want a Divorce
Celestine
No Time for Comedy
Clementine
Primrose Path
Woman Talking to Police (uncredited)
Women Without Names
Ivory
Parole Fixer
Aunt Lindy
1930s
- 1939
The Lady's from Kentucky
Aunt Tina
Reform School
Mother Barton
- 1938
Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus
Cassey
The Headleys at Home
Hyacinth
Brother Rat
Jenny
Life Goes On
Sally Weston
Scandal Street
Clairce
- 1937
Love in a Bungalow
Millie
Wings Over Honolulu
Mammy
- 1936
Rainbow on the River
Toinette
General Spanky
Cornelia
Wives Never Know
Florabelle
- 1935
Annapolis Farewell
Miranda
- 1934
West of the Pecos
Mauree
Imitation of Life
Delilah Johnson
Beggar's Holiday
Heliotrope
I Give My Love
Maid
Dr. Monica
Sarah - Mary's Maid (uncredited)
The Merry Frinks
Camille
Cheaters
Lily
A Modern Hero
Azais's Maid
Merry Wives of Reno
Derwent's Client - Black Mother of 12 Wanting a Divorce (uncredited)
Glamour
Millie
I Believed in You
Prisoner
Registered Nurse
Flo - Sadie's Maid
The Woman Condemned
Sally
Gambling Lady
Suzy - Peter's Cook (uncredited)
I've Got Your Number
Crystal
Bedside
Pansy
Palooka
Crystal
- 1933
Only Yesterday
Abby (Uncredited)
Her Splendid Folly
Anastasia
Notorious But Nice
Ophelia
The Midnight Patrol
Maid (scenes deleted)
Her Bodyguard
Margot's Maid
Midnight Mary
Mary's Maid Anna (uncredited)
Hold Your Man
Elite Club Attendant (uncredited)
What Price Innocence?
Hannah
The Story of Temple Drake
Minnie
The Big Cage
Mandy
Central Airport
Hotel Maid (uncredited)
Pick-up
Magnolia (uncredited)
The Phantom Broadcast
Minnie
Girl Missing
Julie, Daisy's Maid (Uncredited)
She Done Him Wrong
Pearl
- 1932
Too Busy to Work
Mammy
Wild Girl
Mammy Lou (uncredited)
Hell's Highway
Rascal's Sweetheart at Visitor's Center (uncredited)
Divorce In The Family
Rosetta
Unashamed
Amanda
What Price Hollywood?
Mary's Maid Bonita
The Dark Horse
Kay's Maid Levinnia
Street of Women
Mattie, Natalie's maid
The Strange Love of Molly Louvain
Washroom Attendant (uncredited)
Night World
Maid (uncredited)
Young America
Maid (Uncredited)
The Expert
Lulu
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Beautician (uncredited)
- 1931
Ladies of the Big House
Ivory
Good Sport
September
Girls About Town
Hattie
Sundown Trail
Auntie Jenny
Party Husband
Laura's Maid
Six Cylinder Love
Movie
Don't Bet on Women
Maid (uncredited)
Millie
Maid (uncredited)
- 1930
Paid
Convict (uncredited)
Bright Lights
Angela
Outside the Law
Judy the Maid
Manslaughter
Rose
Recaptured Love
Maid
Back Pay
Nellie - Hester's Maid
Safety in Numbers
Messalina
True to the Navy
Maid (uncredited)
Honey
Black Revivalist
She Couldn't Say No
Cora
Wide Open
Easter
Second Choice
Maid (uncredited)
1920s
- 1929
Wall Street
Magnolia
Nix on Dames
Magnolia
Barnum Was Right
Maid
Thunderbolt
Black Cat Cafe Patron (uncredited)
Glad Rag Doll
Hannah
Coquette
Julia
Election Day
Farina's mother