Maidie Norman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maidie Norman
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Maidie Norman photographed by Carl Van Vechten
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| Born |
Maidie Ruth Gamble
October 16, 1912 Villa Rica, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | May 2, 1998 (aged 85) San Jose, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Cremated |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Madie Norman |
| Alma mater | Bennett College Columbia University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1917–1988 |
| Spouse(s) | McHenry Norman (m.1937–197?; his death) Weldon D. Canada
(m. 1977–1998) |
| Children | 1 |
Maidie Ruth Norman (born October 16, 1912 – died May 2, 1998) was an American actress who worked in radio, on stage, in movies, and on television. She was also a teacher of African-American literature and theater.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Maidie Ruth Gamble was born on October 16, 1912, in Villa Rica, Georgia. Her parents were Louis and Lila Graham Gamble. She grew up in Lima, Ohio, and started studying drama and acting in Shakespeare plays when she was a child.
After finishing high school in Lima in 1930, she went to Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree there in 1934. Later, in 1937, she earned her master's degree in drama from Columbia University.
On December 22, 1937, she married McHenry Norman, a real-estate broker. She later used his last name, Norman, as her professional acting name.
Acting Career
Maidie Norman began her acting journey in radio shows like The Jack Benny Program and Amos 'n' Andy. In 1946, she started training at the Actors' Laboratory Theatre in Hollywood. Her first stage performance was in 1949 in a play called Deep Are the Roots.
Her first movie role was in The Peanut Man in 1947. At first, it was hard for her to find good roles for African-American women in movies. Many roles were for maids or housekeepers. Even when she played these characters, Norman refused to make them seem weak or follow old stereotypes. She once said, "In the beginning, I made a promise that I would play no role that took away the dignity of black women."
In 1951, Norman had her only main role in a movie, playing Martha Crawford in The Well. She also appeared in supporting roles in movies like Torch Song (1953) and Written on the Wind (1956). One of her most remembered roles was as Elvira Stitt, the housekeeper, in the 1962 horror film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. She acted alongside famous stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Norman later shared that the character of Elvira was first written as a very simple, obedient person. She actually rewrote some of Elvira's lines to make the character more respectful and strong.
During the 1960s and for the rest of her career, Norman mostly worked in television. She felt there were more chances for African-American actors in TV. She appeared in many popular TV shows, including The Loretta Young Show, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Dr. Kildare. In 1961, she was in the Los Angeles play A Raisin in the Sun.
In the 1970s and 1980s, she guest-starred on shows like Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Little House on the Prairie. Her last movie role was in Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami (1988). In the same year, she appeared in the TV show Amen and an episode of Simon & Simon.
Teaching Career
While she was a busy actress in the 1950s, Maidie Norman also traveled to colleges to give talks about African-American literature and theater. From 1955 to 1956, she taught at the University of Texas at Tyler. She was also a special artist-in-residence at Stanford University from 1968 to 1969.
In 1970, she created and taught a new course at UCLA about the history of African-American theater. This was the first course of its kind at UCLA that focused on African-American studies. Norman taught at UCLA until 1977. To honor her, UCLA later created the Maidie Norman Research Award for the best student essay about African-American film or theater.
Personal Life
Maidie Norman married McHenry Norman on December 22, 1937. They had one son, McHenry Norman III. They were married until McHenry's death. In 1977, Maidie married Weldon D. Canada, and they remained married until she passed away.
Death
Maidie Norman died from lung cancer on May 2, 1998, at her son's home in San Jose, California. Her funeral was held on May 12. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered at sea.
Honors and Awards
Maidie Norman received several honors for her work and contributions:
- In 1958, she was invited to be an official delegate for the Methodist Church at a conference about human relations.
- In 1977, she was recognized and added to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
- In 1985, the California Educational Theatre Association gave her a professional artist award.
- In 1992, her old college, Bennett College, gave her an honorary doctorate degree.
Images for kids
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Maidie Norman photographed by Carl Van Vechten
See also
In Spanish: Maidie Norman para niños
