Louise Beavers
(1902 - 1962)She had such a kind looking face and sweet disposition that viewers felt a "connection" with her, almost as if she were family. She added a humanity to stereotypical roles that almost broke down racial barriers. Louise Beavers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 8, 1902 and started her performing career as a singer in a minstrel show. She had a beautiful voice and sang in some of her films. Prior to her Hollywood film career she worked as a real-life maid for actress Leatrice Joy. This led to her playing the same, stereotypical role in many films. She was one of the most frequently employed black actors of her day. Two oddities regarding her screen persona were: she did not have a southern accent and had to develop one; she was not a fat person and had to keep up her weight for her roles. Her talents were monumental but wasted in these stereotyped roles. Among her over 130 films were: "The Gold Diggers 1923" (1923) in a Bit Part, her film debut; "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1927); "Coquette" (1929) as Julia; "Freaks" (1932) as a Maid; "She Done Him Wrong" (1933) with Mae West, as Pearl; "Imitation of Life" (1934) as Aunt Delilah and there were no Oscar supporting actor categories that year or she might have nabbed one; "West of the Pecos" (1935) as Mauree; "General Spanky" (1936) with Spanky McFarland and Our Gang, as Comelia; "Brother Rat" (1938) as a Maid, Jenny; "No Time for Comedy" (1940) with James Stewart, as Clementine, an Actress and Maid; "Belle Starr" (1941) as Mammy Lou; "Tennessee Johnson" (1942) as Addie; one of my favorites of her roles "Holiday Inn" (1942) as Mamie; "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" (1948) with Cary Grant, as Gussie; "The Jackie Robinson Story" (1950) as Jackie's Mother; "Tammy and the Bachelor" (1957) as Osia and "All the Fine Young Cannibals" (1960) as Rose, her last film role. On TV she appeared as "Beulah" from 1952-53 replacing Ethel Waters. She also appeared on "Star Stage" (1955) in the episode "Cleopatra Collins." She died of a heart attack on October 26, 1962 in Hollywood, California at age 60.
From Great Character Actors, Page 2.
|
