Hattie McDaniel was an American actress, singer, and comedian, best known for her role as Mammy in the classic film Gone with the Wind. Born on June 10, 1893, in Wichita, Kansas, she became the first African American to win an Academy Award, receiving the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1940. Throughout her career, McDaniel appeared in numerous films and radio shows, often portraying strong, maternal characters. Despite facing racial discrimination, she broke barriers in Hollywood and became a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, advocating for African American representation in film and television.