Hattie McDaniel's brother, Sam McDaniel, had twice as many film roles as his famous sister

Three actors in the family

Hattie McDaniel, renowned for her portrayal of Mammy in Gone with the Wind, holds a significant place in film history. As the first African American actor to win an Oscar, she broke barriers and paved the way for diversity in Hollywood. While Hattie's career spanned hundreds of television and movie roles, her older brother, Sam McDaniel, had a more extensive screen presence.

If you enjoy old black and white films and television series, you have undoubtedly seen Sam's face, but perhaps did not know his history. Hattie's big brother appeared in over 200 movies and television shows as a butler, porter, server, doorkeeper, valet, and busboy. He and another sister, Etta McDaniel, were both in Dracula's Son, recently on Sveghoolie on MeTV.

Sacrifice paved the way for actors today

These brave African American actors took on stereotypical roles and paved the way for doors of opportunity to open for people of color in later years. Some people scoff at those first Black entertainers for taking menial roles. I see them as adapting to the era in which they lived and becoming larger-than-life figures who were so much more than the characters they played.

They put their all into their characters and showed the world their skills. Hattie and Etta were maids and nannies, but they did it with grace and dignity. Hattie's role as a Mammy is what won her an Oscar. Think of the many actors of all races who did not have as many roles as Sam and Hattie.

A talented group of siblings

There were 13 McDaniel children, but these three excelled during segregation. Hattie could nto sit with her white co-stars of Gone With the Wind during the Awards ceremony and could not stay in the same hotels. Clark Gable, who portrayed Rhett Butler in GWTW, fought for equal rights for McDaniel, with whom he was good friends.

Etta McDaniel onyl had 13 film roles. She was the native woman who screamed in the 1933 version of King Kong.

Some are offended at how she bulged her eyes, something Sam did in a few of hsi films. I see it more as their personal nature rather than racist stereotypes. Remember, these actors chose their roles, so I stand by whatever they did to entertain us.

Sam was born on January 28, 1886, in Wichita, Kansas, the older brother of Hattie and Etta. Their parents were formerly enslaved people. Their mother, Susan Holobert, was a gospel singer, and their father, Henry McDaniel, fought in the Civil War with the 122nd USCT

The McDaniel family had a traveling minstrel show. After the death of brother Otis in 1916, the troupe began to lose money. In 1931, McDaniel found work in Los Angeles with sisters Hattie, Etta and Orlena. Sam was working on KNX radio program called The Optimistic Doughnut Hour, and he was able to get his sister a spot.

Sam McDaniel made history

Sam McDaniel made history as the only African American to grace the I Love Lucy Show. He remains an enigma in his personal life as there is no record of his marital status or whether he had children, but his film roles are widely celebrated.

He made several memorable appearances on the Amos & Andy Show and left his mark in films such as The Adventures of Mark Twain, Ma and Pa Kettle, The Babe Ruth Story, Johnny Trouble, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Sam McDaniel's illustrious career spanned nearly three decades, from 1929 to 1960, but was overshadowed by his younger sister Hattie McDaniel's Gone With the Wind role. He passed away at the age of 76 on September 24, 1962, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, after a battle with throat cancer.