Hattie McDaniel Biography

Fast Facts

• Became the first African-American woman to sing on the radio in the U․S․ when she was invited to perform on Denver's KOA radio station in 1925
• Became the first African-American to win an Academy Award when she won Best Supporting Actress in 1940 for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind․"
• Entertained American troops during World War II and promoted the sale of war bonds
• Was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975
• Began performing in minstrel shows while she was still in high school and later left school in 1910 to train full-time with her father's minstrel troupe
• Made her screen acting debut in "The Impatient Maiden" in 1932
• Joined Professor George Morrison's orchestra in 1920 and toured the vaudeville circuit for several years
• Began acting in the 1930s after two of her siblings convinced her to move to Los Angeles, where they were picking up minor roles
• Best known for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind" and as Aunt Tempy in "Song of the South․"
• Got her big break when she sang a duet with Will Rogers in the John Ford film "Judge Priest" in 1934