9.0
9.0
Rainbow on the River
1936
as Toinette
Louise Beavers
Acting
Born:March 8, 1902
Died:October 26, 1962(aged 60)
Birthplace:Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Nationality:United States
Education:Pasadena High School
N/A
CommunityBiography
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 (145 movies)
7.7
7.7
Good-bye, My Lady
1956
as Bonnie Drew
7.5
7.5
Make Way for Tomorrow
1937
as Mamie
7.5
7.5
Banjo
1947
as Lindy
7.2
7.2
The Dark Horse
1932
as Kay's Maid Levinnia
7.0
7.0
Holiday Inn
1942
as Mamie
7.0
7.0
My Blue Heaven
1950
as Selma
7.0
7.0
Sundown Trail
1931
as Auntie Jenny
7.0
7.0
Imitation of Life
1934
as Delilah Johnson
7.0
7.0
A Modern Hero
1934
as Azais's Maid
7.0
7.0
Election Day
1929
as Farina's mother
7.0
7.0
True to the Navy
1930
as Maid (uncredited)
7.0
7.0
Tammy and the Bachelor
1957
as Osia
7.0
7.0
Shadow of the Thin Man
1941
as Stella
7.0
7.0
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
1948
as Gussie
6.9
6.9
42nd Street
1933
as Pansy (uncredited)
6.8
6.8
Midnight Mary
1933
as Mary's Maid Anna (uncredited)
6.8
6.8
Paid
1930
as Convict (uncredited)
6.8
6.8
Only Yesterday
1933
as Abby (Uncredited)
6.8
6.8
What Price Hollywood?
1932
as Mary's Maid Bonita
6.7
6.7
Night World
1932
as Maid (uncredited)
6.6
6.6
Bullets or Ballots
1936
as Nellie LaFleur
6.6
6.6
Primrose Path
1940
as Woman Talking to Police (uncredited)
6.5
6.5
Teenage Rebel
1956
as Willamay
6.5
6.5
The Story of Temple Drake
1933
as Minnie
6.5
6.5
The Midnight Patrol
1933
as Maid (scenes deleted)
6.4
6.4
Bombshell
1933
as Loretta
6.4
6.4
Reap the Wild Wind
1942
as Maum Maria
6.3
6.3
The Expert
1932
as Lulu
6.3
6.3
Girls About Town
1931
as Hattie
6.3
6.3
The Jackie Robinson Story
1950
as Jackie's Mother
6.3
6.3
Tell It to the Judge
1949
as Cleo, Marsha's Maid (uncredited)
6.3
6.3
The Last Gangster
1937
as Gloria
6.3
6.3
Unashamed
1932
as Amanda
6.2
6.2
Gambling Lady
1934
as Suzy - Peter's Cook (uncredited)
6.2
6.2
Du Barry Was a Lady
1943
as Niagara
6.2
6.2
Lover Come Back
1946
as Martha, Kay's Maid
6.1
6.1
Made for Each Other
1939
as Lily (uncredited)
6.1
6.1
Central Airport
1933
as Hotel Maid (uncredited)
6.1
6.1
Hold Your Man
1933
as Elite Club Attendant (uncredited)
6.0
6.0
Doctor X
1932
as Louise (Uncredited)
6.0
6.0
I Give My Love
1934
as Maid
6.0
6.0
The Big Cage
1933
as Mandy
6.0
6.0
Parole Fixer
1940
as Aunt Lindy
6.0
6.0
I've Got Your Number
1934
as Crystal
6.0
6.0
Good Sam
1948
as Chloe
6.0
6.0
Seven Sweethearts
1942
as Petunia, the Maid
6.0
6.0
Wall Street
1929
as Magnolia
6.0
6.0
The Vanishing Virginian
1942
as Aunt Emmeline
6.0
6.0
Sign of the Wolf
1941
as Beulah
6.0
6.0
Wild Girl
1932
as Mammy Lou (uncredited)
6.0
6.0
Ladies of the Big House
1931
as Ivory
6.0
6.0
Divorce In The Family
1932
as Rosetta
5.9
5.9
The Strange Love of Molly Louvain
1932
as Washroom Attendant (uncredited)
5.9
5.9
Hell's Highway
1932
as Rascal's Sweetheart at Visitor's Center (uncredited)
5.8
5.8
She Done Him Wrong
1933
as Pearl
5.8
5.8
For the Love of Mary
1948
as Bertha
5.7
5.7
Coquette
1929
as Julia
5.7
5.7
It's Tough to Be Famous
1932
as Ada, Janet's Maid
5.6
5.6
Thunderbolt
1929
as Black Cat Cafe Patron (uncredited)
5.6
5.6
Belle Starr
1941
as Mammy Lou
5.6
5.6
The Goddess
1958
as The Cook
5.6
5.6
The Big Street
1942
as Ruby, Gloria's Maid (Uncredited)
5.5
5.5
General Spanky
1936
as Cornelia
5.5
5.5
Notorious But Nice
1933
as Ophelia
5.5
5.5
Kisses for Breakfast
1941
as Clotilda
5.5
5.5
Manslaughter
1930
as Rose
5.5
5.5
Wings Over Honolulu
1937
as Mammy
5.4
5.4
Bedside
1934
as Pansy
5.3
5.3
Wide Open
1930
as Easter
5.3
5.3
All the Fine Young Cannibals
1960
as Rose
5.2
5.2
A Southern Yankee
1948
as Laundry Woman
5.2
5.2
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
1932
as Beautician (uncredited)
5.1
5.1
A Shriek in the Night
1933
as Maid
5.1
5.1
The Facts of Life
1960
as Gussie
5.0
5.0
Brother Rat
1938
as Jenny
5.0
5.0
Young America
1932
as Maid (Uncredited)
5.0
5.0
Safety in Numbers
1930
as Messalina
5.0
5.0
Recaptured Love
1930
as Maid
5.0
5.0
No Time for Comedy
1940
as Clementine
5.0
5.0
Party Husband
1931
as Laura's Maid
5.0
5.0
Millie
1931
as Maid (uncredited)
5.0
5.0
Honey
1930
as Black Revivalist
5.0
5.0
Barnum Was Right
1929
as Maid
4.8
4.8
There's Something About a Soldier
1943
as Birdie
4.8
4.8
Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus
1938
as Cassey
4.7
4.7
Delightfully Dangerous
1945
as Hannah
4.7
4.7
You Can't Run Away from It
1956
as Maid
4.7
4.7
Outside the Law
1930
as Judy the Maid
4.6
4.6
Girl Missing
1933
as Julie, Daisy's Maid (Uncredited)
4.6
4.6
Never Wave at a WAC
1953
as Artamesa
4.6
4.6
Barbary Coast Gent
1944
as Bedelia
4.6
4.6
Young Widow
1946
as Rosie
4.5
4.5
Dixie Jamboree
1944
as Sam the Deckhand
4.4
4.4
Street of Women
1932
as Mattie, Natalie's maid
4.4
4.4
The Woman Condemned
1934
as Sally
4.3
4.3
The Phantom Broadcast
1933
as Minnie
4.3
4.3
Dr. Monica
1934
as Sarah - Mary's Maid (uncredited)
4.1
4.1
Don't Bet on Women
1931
as Maid (uncredited)
4.1
4.1
Registered Nurse
1934
as Flo - Sadie's Maid
4.1
4.1
Women Without Names
1940
as Ivory
4.0
4.0
Bright Lights
1930
as Angela
4.0
4.0
Good Sport
1931
as September
4.0
4.0
Pick-up
1933
as Magnolia (uncredited)
4.0
4.0
Back Pay
1930
as Nellie - Hester's Maid
4.0
4.0
Too Busy to Work
1932
as Mammy
4.0
4.0
You're Telling Me
1932
as The Maid (uncredited)
4.0
4.0
Merry Wives of Reno
1934
as Derwent's Client - Black Mother of 12 Wanting a Divorce (uncredited)
3.7
3.7
The Merry Frinks
1934
as Camille
3.6
3.6
I Dream of Jeanie
1952
as Mammy
3.5
3.5
In the Money
1933
as Lily
3.3
3.3
Colorado Sundown
1952
as Mattie, Jackie's Maid
3.0
3.0
Palooka
1934
as Crystal
3.0
3.0
Reckless Living
1931
as Maid
3.0
3.0
What Price Innocence?
1933
as Hannah
2.7
2.7
Glamour
1934
as Millie
West of the Pecos
1934
as Mauree
Good Morning, Judge
1943
as Cleo
All by Myself
1943
as Willie
Life Goes On
1938
as Sally Weston
Hunting Trouble
1933
as Lucy
Glad Rag Doll
1929
as Hannah
The Lady's from Kentucky
1939
as Aunt Tina
Scandal Street
1938
as Clairce
Annapolis Farewell
1935
as Miranda
Her Bodyguard
1933
as Margot's Maid
The Hostess with the Mostes'
1957
as Mattie Mae
Wives Never Know
1936
as Florabelle
Reform School
1939
as Mother Barton
Strictly Fresh Yeggs
1934
as Maid
Knights Before Christmas
1930
Cheaters
1934
as Lily
Love in a Bungalow
1937
as Millie
Beggar's Holiday
1934
as Heliotrope
South of Dixie
1944
as Magnolia Brown / Chloe
Second Choice
1930
as Maid (uncredited)
Top Man
1943
as Cleo
She Couldn't Say No
1930
as Cora
Virginia
1941
as Ophelia
Six Cylinder Love
1931
The Headleys at Home
1938
as Hyacinth
Her Splendid Folly
1933
as Anastasia
I Believed in You
1934
as Prisoner
Young America
1942
as Pansy
I Want a Divorce
1940
as Celestine
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