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.
as Gussie
as Rose
as Mrs. Teale(1 ep)
as The Cook
as Osia
as Mattie Mae
as Willamay
as Maid
as Bonnie Drew
as Louise(5 eps)
as Artamesa
as Mammy
as Mattie, Jackie's Maid
as Beulah(39 eps)
as Selma
as Jackie's Mother
as Cleo, Marsha's Maid (uncredited)
as Bertha
as Chloe
as Laundry Woman
as Gussie
as Aunt Lindy
as Martha
as Martha, Kay's Maid
as Rosie
as Hannah
as Bedelia
as Opal
as Sam the Deckhand
as Magnolia Brown / Chloe
as Louise Beavers (uncredited)
as Birdie
as Cleo
as Niagara
as Willie
as Cleo
as Petunia, the Maid
as Ruby (uncredited)
as Mamie
as Maum Maria
as Pansy
as Aunt Emmeline
as Stella
as Mammy Lou
as Clotilda
as Beulah
as Ophelia
as Celestine
as Clementine
as Woman Talking to Police (uncredited)
as Ivory
as Aunt Lindy
as Aunt Tina
as Mother Barton
as Lily (uncredited)
as Cassey
as Hyacinth
as Jenny
as Sally Weston
as Clairce
as Gloria
as Millie
as Mammy
as Mamie
as Toinette
as Cornelia
as Florabelle
as Nellie LaFleur
as Miranda
as Mauree
as Delilah Johnson
as Heliotrope
as Maid
as Sarah - Mary's Maid (uncredited)
as Camille
as Lily
as Azais's Maid
as Derwent's Client - Black Mother of 12 Wanting a Divorce (uncredited)
as Millie
as Prisoner
as Maid
as Flo - Sadie's Maid
as Sally
as Suzy - Peter's Cook (uncredited)
as Crystal
as Pansy
as Crystal
as Lily
as Abby (Uncredited)
as Loretta
as Anastasia
as Ophelia
as Maid (scenes deleted)
as Maid
as Margot's Maid
as Mary's Maid Anna (uncredited)
as Elite Club Attendant (uncredited)
as Hannah
as Minnie
as Mandy
as Hotel Maid (uncredited)
as Magnolia (uncredited)
as Minnie
as Pansy (uncredited)
as Julie, Daisy's Maid (Uncredited)
as Pearl
as Lucy
as Mammy
as Mammy Lou (uncredited)
as Rascal's Sweetheart at Visitor's Center (uncredited)
as Rosetta
as Louise (Uncredited)
as Amanda
as Mary's Maid Bonita
as Kay's Maid Levinnia
as Mattie, Natalie's maid
as Washroom Attendant (uncredited)
as Maid (uncredited)
as Maid (Uncredited)
as The Maid (uncredited)
as Ada, Janet's Maid
as Lulu
as Beautician (uncredited)
as Ivory
as September
as Hattie
as Maid
as Auntie Jenny
as Laura's Maid
as Maid (uncredited)
as Maid (uncredited)
as Convict (uncredited)
as Angela
as Judy the Maid
as Rose
as Amelia - The Mannequins' Maid (uncredited)
as Maid
as Nellie - Hester's Maid
as Messalina
as Maid (uncredited)
as Black Revivalist
as Cora
as Easter
as Maid (uncredited)
as Magnolia
as Magnolia
as Maid
as Black Cat Cafe Patron (uncredited)
as Hannah
as Julia
as Farina's mother
