Louise Beavers and Mary Pickford.

Film and television actress Louise Beavers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was part of an act called “Lady Minstrels” before moving to Los Angeles to begin her film career in the silent films, “Gold Diggers” (1923) and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” (1927). Beavers appeared in more than 100 films between 1929 and 1960, playing the role most available to the few African American actresses able to work steadily in Hollywood: maid to the white female star. However, in the 1934 adaptation of “Imitation of Life” in 1934, Beavers and Claudette Colbert both played characters dealing with “the demands of single parenthood and careers.” Like her cousin, Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company co-founder, George Beavers, Jr., Louise Beavers was a prominent and active member of the African American community in Los Angeles. She was involved in community functions, from the People’s Independent Church, where she helped develop the theater program of the Young People’s Lyceum, to the 1939 public ceremonies celebrating the development of the all-black resort, Val Verde County Park. In the 1940s, as a resident of the affluent enclave in the West Adams district of Los Angeles known as “Sugar Hill,” Louise Beavers also played a role in history. Beavers’s neighbors included actors Hattie McDaniel, Ethel Waters, Joel Fluellen and Frances Williams; businessmen Norman O. Houston and Horace Clark; musicians Ben Carter, Pearl Bailey and Juan Tizon. When an association of white homeowners brought suit against black property owners in the area, claiming they were in violation of the city’s racially restrictive covenant system, and demanding that the city enforce the covenants, attorney Loren Miller led the class action suit against the whites. The California Superior Court issued a judgment on December 6, 1945 stating that the black plaintiffs were accorded full rights guaranteed under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This helped pave the way for Shelley v. Kramer, the 1948 Supreme Court decision that legally blocked enforcement of racial housing covenants. Louise Beavers’s career culminated in the television roles “Beulah” (1952 –1953) and as the housekeeper on “The Danny Thomas Show” (1953-1954). In 1976, she was inducted posthumously into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

Mary Pickford Born April 8, 1892 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Died May 29, 1979 in Santa Monica, California, USA (complications from cerebral hemorrhage) Birth Name Gladys Marie Smith Height 5' 0½" (1.54 m) Mary Pickford was born Gladys Louise Smith in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Elsie Charlotte (Hennessy) and John Charles Smith. She was of English and Irish descent. Pickford began in the theater at age seven. Then known as "Baby Gladys Smith", she toured with her family in a number of theater companies. In 1907, she adopted a family name Pickford and joined the David Belasco troupe, appearing in the long-running The Warrens of Virginia". She began in films in 1909 with the 'American Mutoscope & Biograph [us]', working with director D.W. Griffith. For a short time in 1911, to earn more money, she joined the IMP Film Co. under Carl Laemmle. She returned to Biograph in 1912, then, in 1913 joined the Famous Players Film Company under Adolph Zukor. She then joined First National Exhibitor's Circuit in 1918. In 1919, she co-founded United Artists with D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin and then-future husband, Douglas Fairbanks. Spouse (3) Charles 'Buddy' Rogers (26 June 1937 - 29 May 1979) ( her death) ( 2 children) Douglas Fairbanks (1920 - 1936) (divorced) Owen Moore (7 January 1911 - 2 March 1920) ( divorced) Trivia (59) One of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Arguably the silent era's most renowned female star. Film historian Ethan Katz goes so far as to call her "the most popular star in screen history." Her mansion Pickfair was sold ten months after her death for $5,362,000; later sold to Pia Zadora in January 1988 for just under $7 million. Stage producer David Belasco gave Mary her stage name in 1908. Her real name, Gladys Marie Smith, was not right for an actress on his stage. "Marie" became "Mary". "Pickford" was her mother's maiden name. Years later, a huge fan who traced her family tree found that the name "Mary Pickford" occurred several times in her mother's family going back to the 12th century. Formed United Artists company with Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Charles Chaplin. The first artist to have her name in marquee lights. The first international star. She died of complications from cerebral hemorrhage at Santa Monica Hospital, CA. Her third husband, Buddy, was at her bedside. Following her death, she was interred in the Garden of Memory at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA. Daughter of actress Charlotte Smith.