The Academy’s Typecasting Problem for Black Actors
How biographical themes have been the norm for black Oscar noms
African American actors are vocal about unfair wages, but Hollywood also typecasts during award season.
Despite 21 black acting Academy Award wins, black actors are primarily recognized for biographical and racially focussed thematic roles.
In the early 20th century, black actors took oppressive roles. If you look back at Classic Hollywood films, black actors mostly landed supporting roles as maids and butlers.
Hattie McDaniel was the first black actress to win an Academy Award, and she won for playing a maid. She had to accept her win in a segregated hotel. Towards the mid-century, black actors started to have lead roles, but only a few. In the 50s and 60s, Sidney Poitier was the first black male actor to be nominated. The Defiant Ones dealt with interracial tension and winning Best Actor in a Leading Role for Lilies of the Field made him the token black actor for the Civil Rights era.
