This child of former slaves went on to become a major Hollywood actress and the first Oscar-winning African American, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Gone with the Wind alongside Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable.

When McDaniel was barred from the film's premiere at Loew’s Grand Theater in Atlanta due to Georgia's segregation laws, Clark Gable threatened to boycott the event. California's welcome for the 1940 Academy Awards at the Ambassador Hotel was only slightly more evolved: McDaniel was allowed to attend the event (despite the hotel's no-blacks policy) but had to cross the room from a segregated table at the rear to accept her award that evening. it should be noted that it took the Academy another twenty-four years to award another person of color an Oscar for Acting. That honor went to Sidney Poitier for his performance in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. On another sad note, McDaniel couldn’t even attend the premiere of her own film, due to racial segregation laws in Alabama. Clark Gable threatened to boycott the event but McDaniel urged him to go anyway.

Asked by Susanna Henke · Last updated 5 years ago · 0 views