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What Happened to Hattie McDaniel’s Oscar?

By Gerry W. Beyer

Hattie McDaniel

In 1940, Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in “Gone With the Wind.” Upon her death, she bequeathed her award to Howard University where it was displayed for several years before disappearing. Possible explanations for the disappearance of this historic award, valued at $550,000, include:

  • Students took it in protest to McDaniel’s role in the movie
  • The plaque was moved for safekeeping and was never returned to its display case
  • A professor walked away with it
  • It was stolen and then sold to a collector

The academy refuses to create replacement awards for heirs who have come into possession of an award after the recipient’s death. Instead, the academy sent a framed photo of McDaniel and some commemorative McDaniel postage stamps to Howard University. Some people remain optimistic that the Oscar will eventually be found.

See J. Freedom du Lac, And Hattie McDaniel’s Oscar Went to…?, The Washington Post, May 26, 2010.

Special thanks to Alfred Brophy (Professor of Law, UNC School of Law) for bringing this to my attention.   

Posted in:
Film and Wills