Banned from her film's Atlanta premiere. Banned from the cast table at the Oscars. Banned
from a burial in her cemetery of choice. Today, Hattie McDaniel is a beloved Hollywood
icon, but her life was a different story. Born in 1893 to formerly enslaved parents, Hattie
McDaniel made her mark in history when she won the 1940 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Even so, the star's life was far from easy. As a Black woman, McDaniel's career was
fraught with bigotry and intolerance. She began performing while she was still in
high school. By the 1920s, she was touring the vaudeville circuit and appearing in minstrel
shows. McDaniel made her way to Los Angeles in the 1930s, where she quickly gained a reputation for
portraying defiant servants in Hollywood films. "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." Although she experienced backlash
for taking on stereotypical roles, the actress proudly stated that, "I'd rather play a maid than be one." In 1937, McDaniel was cast as Mammy in Gone
with the Wind after Bing Crosby suggested her to producer David O. Selznick. Ultimately, the
film changed her life and cemented her place in cinema history. On February 29, 1940, McDaniel
became the first African-American to win an Oscar. "Yes, I know. You never expected to see me." Because of the color of her skin, she was
nearly barred from attending the award ceremony. In the end, she was able to go as long
as she sat away from her white co-stars, Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. "It ain't fittin'. It just ain't fittin'." Upon receiving her award, McDaniel said, "I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit
to my race and to the motion picture industry." Gone with the Wind was one of the most successful
productions in Hollywood history. It racked up eight competitive Academy Awards plus two honorary
Oscars. The film was the top box office earner for some 30 years, even with an almost four-hour
running time. However, McDaniel's Oscar win did little to enhance her career. Although she
believed it would lead her to better, less archetypal roles, that was not the case. According
to Vanity Fair, she lacked the support of the Black community, as they believed the parts she
took were degrading. Ultimately, she was unable to find film work and made the decision to return
to radio, where she'd worked in the early 1930s. In 1947, McDaniel once again made history when she
became the first Black star on The Beulah Show. "Don't let nobody tell you that I'm in the
market for a husband. 'Course I would be but they don't sell husbands in the market." Sadly, this was the beginning of the end for
the actress. She fell ill not long after the show's premiere. McDaniel had a heart attack and
was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. On October 26, 1952, 59-year-old Hattie McDaniel died. Her last wishes were to be buried at
the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and for her Oscar to be donated to Howard University — a
prestigious, historically Black institution. Hollywood Forever was founded in 1899 and is
located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. The cemetery is known for being the
final resting place of numerous stars, including Rudolph Valentino. In 1939, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery was
purchased by Jules Roth. He prohibited people of color from being buried on the grounds,
and thus he refused McDaniel's final request. As a result, she was buried at
the Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, where her funeral was attended by thousands. Roth died in 1998, after which Hollywood
Forever was purchased by Tyler Cassity. Cassity asked McDaniel's family if they
wanted to move her remains to the cemetery, but they declined. Instead, they chose to
erect a pink granite memorial in her honor. The memorial was unveiled in October 1999
— nearly 50 years after McDaniel's death. The obelisk reads, "Aunt Hattie, you
are a credit to your craft, your race, and to your family." The quote is from
Edgar Goff, McDaniel's grandnephew. As for her other final request, her Oscar did
eventually make it to Howard University. However, the award was lost sometime in the 1960s
and remains unaccounted for to this day. Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus, even more Grunge videos about
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