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Make Room for Granddaddy
1970 · TV Show
Louise Beavers
1902-03-08
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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 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
The Facts of Life
1960 · Movie
as Gussie
All the Fine Young Cannibals
1960 · Movie
as Rose
Bourbon Street Beat
1959 · TV Show
as Mrs. Teale
The Swamp Fox
1959 · TV Show
The Goddess
1958 · Movie
as The Cook
Tammy and the Bachelor
1957 · Movie
as Osia
The Hostess with the Mostes'
1957 · Movie
as Mattie Mae
Teenage Rebel
1956 · Movie
as Willamay
Good-bye, My Lady
1956 · Movie
as Bonnie Drew
You Can't Run Away from It
1956 · Movie
as Maid
Never Wave at a WAC
1953 · Movie
as Artamesa
The Danny Thomas Show
1953 · TV Show
as Louise
Colorado Sundown
1952 · Movie
as Mattie, Jackie's Maid
I Dream of Jeanie
1952 · Movie
as Mammy
The Jackie Robinson Story
1950 · Movie
as Jackie's Mother
My Blue Heaven
1950 · Movie
as Selma
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The Beulah Show
1950 · TV Show
as Beulah
Tell It to the Judge
1949 · Movie
as Cleo, Marsha's Maid (uncredited)
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
1948 · Movie
as Gussie
A Southern Yankee
1948 · Movie
as Laundry Woman
For the Love of Mary
1948 · Movie
as Bertha
Good Sam
1948 · Movie
as Chloe
Banjo
1947 · Movie
as Lindy
Young Widow
1946 · Movie
as Rosie
Lover Come Back
1946 · Movie
as Martha, Martha, Kay's Maid
Delightfully Dangerous
1945 · Movie
as Hannah
Dixie Jamboree
1944 · Movie
as Opal, Sam the Deckhand
Barbary Coast Gent
1944 · Movie
as Bedelia
South of Dixie
1944 · Movie
as Magnolia Brown / Chloe
Follow the Boys
1944 · Movie
as Louise Beavers (uncredited)
Du Barry Was a Lady
1943 · Movie
as Niagara
Good Morning, Judge
1943 · Movie
as Cleo
All by Myself
1943 · Movie
as Willie
There's Something About a Soldier
1943 · Movie
as Birdie
Top Man
1943 · Movie
as Cleo
Holiday Inn
1942 · Movie
as Mamie
Reap the Wild Wind
1942 · Movie
as Maum Maria
The Big Street
1942 · Movie
as Ruby (uncredited)
The Vanishing Virginian
1942 · Movie
as Aunt Emmeline
Young America
1942 · Movie
as Pansy
Seven Sweethearts
1942 · Movie
as Petunia, the Maid
Shadow of the Thin Man
1941 · Movie
as Stella
Belle Starr
1941 · Movie
as Mammy Lou
Sign of the Wolf
1941 · Movie
as Beulah
Kisses for Breakfast
1941 · Movie
as Clotilda
Virginia
1941 · Movie
as Ophelia
No Time for Comedy
1940 · Movie
as Clementine
I Want a Divorce
1940 · Movie
as Celestine
Women Without Names
1940 · Movie
as Ivory
Parole Fixer
1940 · Movie
as Aunt Lindy
Primrose Path
1940 · Movie
as Woman Talking to Police (uncredited)
Made for Each Other
1939 · Movie
as Lily (uncredited)
The Lady's from Kentucky
1939 · Movie
as Aunt Tina
Reform School
1939 · Movie
as Mother Barton
Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus
1938 · Movie
as Cassey
Brother Rat
1938 · Movie
as Jenny
Life Goes On
1938 · Movie
as Sally Weston
Scandal Street
1938 · Movie
as Clairce
The Headleys at Home
1938 · Movie
as Hyacinth
The Last Gangster
1937 · Movie
as Gloria
Love in a Bungalow
1937 · Movie
as Millie
Make Way for Tomorrow
1937 · Movie
as Mamie
Wings Over Honolulu
1937 · Movie
as Mammy
Bullets or Ballots
1936 · Movie
as Nellie LaFleur
Rainbow on the River
1936 · Movie
as Toinette
General Spanky
1936 · Movie
as Cornelia
Wives Never Know
1936 · Movie
as Florabelle
Annapolis Farewell
1935 · Movie
as Miranda
Imitation of Life
1934 · Movie
as Delilah Johnson
Bedside
1934 · Movie
as Pansy
The Woman Condemned
1934 · Movie
as Sally
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Strictly Fresh Yeggs
1934 · Movie
as Maid
Cheaters
1934 · Movie
as Lily
Beggar's Holiday
1934 · Movie
as Heliotrope
I've Got Your Number
1934 · Movie
as Crystal
Palooka
1934 · Movie
as Crystal
Glamour
1934 · Movie
as Millie
The Merry Frinks
1934 · Movie
as Camille
Registered Nurse
1934 · Movie
as Flo - Sadie's Maid
Merry Wives of Reno
1934 · Movie
as Derwent's Client - Black Mother of 12 Wanting a Divorce (uncredited)
A Modern Hero
1934 · Movie
as Azais's Maid
Gambling Lady
1934 · Movie
as Suzy - Peter's Cook (uncredited)
Dr. Monica
1934 · Movie
as Sarah - Mary's Maid (uncredited)
West of the Pecos
1934 · Movie
as Mauree
I Give My Love
1934 · Movie
as Maid
I Believed in You
1934 · Movie
as Prisoner
42nd Street
1933 · Movie
as Pansy (uncredited)
A Shriek in the Night
1933 · Movie
as Maid
The Story of Temple Drake
1933 · Movie
as Minnie
She Done Him Wrong
1933 · Movie
as Pearl
Bombshell
1933 · Movie
as Loretta
The Midnight Patrol
1933 · Movie
as Maid (scenes deleted)
Midnight Mary
1933 · Movie
as Mary's Maid Anna (uncredited)
Girl Missing
1933 · Movie
as Julie, Daisy's Maid (Uncredited)
In the Money
1933 · Movie
as Lily
Her Splendid Folly
1933 · Movie
as Anastasia
Notorious But Nice
1933 · Movie
as Ophelia
Central Airport
1933 · Movie
as Hotel Maid (uncredited)
Hold Your Man
1933 · Movie
as Elite Club Attendant (uncredited)
Pick-up
1933 · Movie
as Magnolia (uncredited)
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Hunting Trouble
1933 · Movie
as Lucy
What Price Innocence?
1933 · Movie
as Hannah
Her Bodyguard
1933 · Movie
as Margot's Maid
Only Yesterday
1933 · Movie
as Abby (Uncredited)
The Phantom Broadcast
1933 · Movie
as Minnie
The Big Cage
1933 · Movie
as Mandy
Night World
1932 · Movie
as Maid (uncredited)
What Price Hollywood?
1932 · Movie
as Mary's Maid Bonita
The Dark Horse
1932 · Movie
as Kay's Maid Levinnia
Wild Girl
1932 · Movie
as Mammy Lou (uncredited)
The Expert
1932 · Movie
as Lulu
It's Tough to Be Famous
1932 · Movie
as Ada, Janet's Maid
Unashamed
1932 · Movie
as Amanda
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
1932 · Movie
as Beautician (uncredited)
Too Busy to Work
1932 · Movie
as Mammy
Divorce In The Family
1932 · Movie
as Rosetta
Street of Women
1932 · Movie
as Mattie, Natalie's maid
Hell's Highway
1932 · Movie
as Rascal's Sweetheart at Visitor's Center (uncredited)
The Strange Love of Molly Louvain
1932 · Movie
as Washroom Attendant (uncredited)
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You're Telling Me
1932 · Movie
as The Maid (uncredited)
Doctor X
1932 · Movie
as Louise (Uncredited)
Young America
1932 · Movie
as Maid (Uncredited)
Girls About Town
1931 · Movie
as Hattie
Millie
1931 · Movie
as Maid (uncredited)
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Reckless Living
1931 · Movie
as Maid
Good Sport
1931 · Movie
as September
Ladies of the Big House
1931 · Movie
as Ivory
Six Cylinder Love
1931 · Movie
Don't Bet on Women
1931 · Movie
as Maid (uncredited)
Sundown Trail
1931 · Movie
as Auntie Jenny
Party Husband
1931 · Movie
as Laura's Maid
She Couldn't Say No
1930 · Movie
as Cora
Wide Open
1930 · Movie
as Easter
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Knights Before Christmas
1930 · Movie
Back Pay
1930 · Movie
as Nellie - Hester's Maid
Safety in Numbers
1930 · Movie
as Messalina
Bright Lights
1930 · Movie
as Angela
True to the Navy
1930 · Movie
as Maid (uncredited)
Our Blushing Brides
1930 · Movie
as Amelia - The Mannequins' Maid (uncredited)
Honey
1930 · Movie
as Black Revivalist
Paid
1930 · Movie
as Convict (uncredited)
Manslaughter
1930 · Movie
as Rose
Outside the Law
1930 · Movie
as Judy the Maid
Second Choice
1930 · Movie
as Maid (uncredited)
Recaptured Love
1930 · Movie
as Maid
Coquette
1929 · Movie
as Julia
Election Day
1929 · Movie
as Farina's mother
Thunderbolt
1929 · Movie
as Black Cat Cafe Patron (uncredited)
Glad Rag Doll
1929 · Movie
as Hannah
Barnum Was Right
1929 · Movie
as Maid
Wall Street
1929 · Movie
as Magnolia
Nix on Dames
1929 · Movie
as Magnolia
