 |
Butterfly McQueenAmerican actress
Date of Birth: 07.01.1911
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Butterfly McQueen
Butterfly McQueen, born Thelma McQueen, was an American actress known for her iconic role as Prissy in the film "Gone with the Wind." She was born in 1911 in Tampa, Florida. From a young age, Thelma aspired to become a nurse, but a teacher in high school suggested she consider a career in acting. She joined the dance group called the "Venezuela Jones Negro Youth Group," where she earned the nickname "Butterfly" after performing a dance from the ballet "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She eventually changed her name to Butterfly as she disliked her given name.
Acting Career
Butterfly McQueen's first major role was in the 1939 film "Gone with the Wind," where she played the eccentric maid, Prissy. This role became her most famous, although she also had a minor role in George Cukor's film "The Women." During World War II, McQueen performed in a popular radio show alongside Jack Benny, which gained significant popularity among soldiers. In the late 1940s, she appeared in two films, "Mildred Pierce" and "Duel in the Sun," although she was not credited for her performances. Frustrated with racial stereotypes in the film industry, McQueen decided to retire from acting in 1947.
Later Life and Activism
In the 1950s, Butterfly McQueen appeared in the television show "Beulah" from 1950 to 1952. In 1969, she made a guest appearance on the show "The Dating Game." However, as acting opportunities dwindled in the 1960s, McQueen decided to pursue higher education. She attended City College of the City University of New York and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jurisprudence in 1975. In 1979, she made her final on-screen appearance in the show "ABC Afterschool Special," for which she received an Emmy award.
Butterfly McQueen never married or had children. She spent her summers in New York and winters in her country home in Georgia. On December 22, 1995, she tragically died from burns sustained in a fire accident at an elderly care facility in Augusta Regional Medical Center. McQueen was an atheist and dedicated her life to breaking stereotypes about the role of religion in people's lives. She was an active supporter of the organization "Freedom From Religion Foundation" (FFRF).
