Louise Beavers

Louise Beavers

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.
Known For: Acting
Birthday: 1902-03-08
Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Also Known As: Louise Beaver

Movies List of Louise Beavers

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42nd Street

42nd Street

1933 Movie
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The Goddess

The Goddess

1958 Movie
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A Shriek in the Night

A Shriek in the Night

1933 Movie
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Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn

1942 Movie
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Bullets or Ballots

Bullets or Ballots

1936 Movie
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The Last Gangster

The Last Gangster

1937 Movie
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Du Barry was a Lady

Du Barry was a Lady

1943 Movie
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Bombshell

Bombshell

1933 Movie
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She Done Him Wrong

She Done Him Wrong

1933 Movie
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Reap the Wild Wind

Reap the Wild Wind

1942 Movie
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The Facts of Life

The Facts of Life

1960 Movie
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The Midnight Patrol

The Midnight Patrol

1933 Movie
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Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life

1934 Movie
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Made for Each Other

Made for Each Other

1939 Movie
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Midnight Mary

Midnight Mary

1933 Movie
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Belle Starr

Belle Starr

1941 Movie
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Coquette

Coquette

1929 Movie
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Teenage Rebel

Teenage Rebel

1956 Movie
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The Dark Horse

The Dark Horse

1932 Movie
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Girls About Town

Girls About Town

1931 Movie
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Bedside

Bedside

1934 Movie
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Colorado Sundown

Colorado Sundown

1952 Movie
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Millie

Millie

1931 Movie
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No Time for Comedy

No Time for Comedy

1940 Movie
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Wild Girl

Wild Girl

1932 Movie
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Sign of the Wolf

Sign of the Wolf

1941 Movie
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She Couldn't Say No

She Couldn't Say No

1930 Movie
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Young Widow

Young Widow

1946 Movie
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The Expert

The Expert

1932 Movie
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Kisses for Breakfast

Kisses for Breakfast

1941 Movie
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Wide Open

Wide Open

1930 Movie
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The Woman Condemned

The Woman Condemned

1934 Movie
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In the Money

In the Money

1933 Movie
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Election Day

Election Day

1929 Movie
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I Want a Divorce

I Want a Divorce

1940 Movie
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Lover Come Back

Lover Come Back

1946 Movie
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Virginia

Virginia

1941 Movie
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Unashamed

Unashamed

1932 Movie
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Women Without Names

Women Without Names

1940 Movie
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Banjo

Banjo

1947 Movie
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My Blue Heaven

My Blue Heaven

1950 Movie
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Back Pay

Back Pay

1930 Movie
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I've Got Your Number

I've Got Your Number

1934 Movie
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For the Love of Mary

For the Love of Mary

1948 Movie
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Good Sport

Good Sport

1931 Movie
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Her Splendid Folly

Her Splendid Folly

1933 Movie
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Too Busy to Work

Too Busy to Work

1932 Movie
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Make Way for Tomorrow

Make Way for Tomorrow

1937 Movie
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Good-bye, My Lady

Good-bye, My Lady

1956 Movie
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Palooka

Palooka

1934 Movie
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Brother Rat

Brother Rat

1938 Movie
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Safety in Numbers

Safety in Numbers

1930 Movie
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Bright Lights

Bright Lights

1930 Movie
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Glamour

Glamour

1934 Movie
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The Merry Frinks

The Merry Frinks

1934 Movie
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True to the Navy

True to the Navy

1930 Movie
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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

1934 Movie
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Divorce In The Family

Divorce In The Family

1932 Movie
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Parole Fixer

Parole Fixer

1940 Movie
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Our Blushing Brides

Our Blushing Brides

1930 Movie
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Merry Wives of Reno

Merry Wives of Reno

1934 Movie
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Street of Women

Street of Women

1932 Movie
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Wings Over Honolulu

Wings Over Honolulu

1937 Movie
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Dixie Jamboree

Dixie Jamboree

1944 Movie
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Dixie Jamboree

Dixie Jamboree

1944 Movie
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Rainbow on the River

Rainbow on the River

1936 Movie
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Girl Missing

Girl Missing

1933 Movie
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Primrose Path

Primrose Path

1940 Movie
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Don't Bet on Women

Don't Bet on Women

1931 Movie
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A Modern Hero

A Modern Hero

1934 Movie
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Good Morning, Judge

Good Morning, Judge

1943 Movie
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All by Myself

All by Myself

1943 Movie
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Sundown Trail

Sundown Trail

1931 Movie
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Notorious But Nice

Notorious But Nice

1933 Movie
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General Spanky

General Spanky

1936 Movie
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The Big Street

The Big Street

1942 Movie
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Gambling Lady

Gambling Lady

1934 Movie
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Honey

Honey

1930 Movie
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Paid

Paid

1930 Movie
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Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt

1929 Movie
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Dr. Monica

Dr. Monica

1934 Movie
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Manslaughter

Manslaughter

1930 Movie
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Central Airport

Central Airport

1933 Movie
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Hell's Highway

Hell's Highway

1932 Movie
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Hold Your Man

Hold Your Man

1933 Movie
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Pick-up

Pick-up

1933 Movie
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West of the Pecos

West of the Pecos

1934 Movie
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What Price Hollywood?

What Price Hollywood?

1932 Movie
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Good Sam

Good Sam

1948 Movie
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Glad Rag Doll

Glad Rag Doll

1929 Movie
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Hunting Trouble

Hunting Trouble

1933 Movie
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Barbary Coast Gent

Barbary Coast Gent

1944 Movie
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Party Husband

Party Husband

1931 Movie
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Never Wave at a WAC

Never Wave at a WAC

1953 Movie
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What Price Innocence?

What Price Innocence?

1933 Movie
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Scandal Street

Scandal Street

1938 Movie
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Annapolis Farewell

Annapolis Farewell

1935 Movie
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Her Bodyguard

Her Bodyguard

1933 Movie
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Barnum Was Right

Barnum Was Right

1929 Movie
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Wives Never Know

Wives Never Know

1936 Movie
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Young America

Young America

1942 Movie
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Top Man

Top Man

1943 Movie
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Outside the Law

Outside the Law

1930 Movie
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South of Dixie

South of Dixie

1944 Movie
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I Give My Love

I Give My Love

1934 Movie
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Only Yesterday

Only Yesterday

1933 Movie
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The Phantom Broadcast

The Phantom Broadcast

1933 Movie
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Tell It to the Judge

Tell It to the Judge

1949 Movie
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Reform School

Reform School

1939 Movie
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Seven Sweethearts

Seven Sweethearts

1942 Movie
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You're Telling Me

You're Telling Me

1932 Movie
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Doctor X

Doctor X

1932 Movie
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Wall Street

Wall Street

1929 Movie
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Second Choice

Second Choice

1930 Movie
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The Big Cage

The Big Cage

1933 Movie
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Young America

Young America

1932 Movie
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The Headleys at Home

The Headleys at Home

1938 Movie
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I Dream of Jeanie

I Dream of Jeanie

1952 Movie
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A Southern Yankee

A Southern Yankee

1948 Movie
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Night World

Night World

1932 Movie
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Strictly Fresh Yeggs

Strictly Fresh Yeggs

1934 Movie
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Cheaters

Cheaters

1934 Movie
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Love in a Bungalow

Love in a Bungalow

1937 Movie
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Reckless Living

Reckless Living

1931 Movie
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Beggar's Holiday

Beggar's Holiday

1934 Movie
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Six Cylinder Love

Six Cylinder Love

1931 Movie
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Life Goes On

Life Goes On

1938 Movie