Butterfly McQueen - Cast

Register to mark this movie seen or favorite and personalize your experience

Butterfly McQueen

Butterfly McQueen

Thelma "Butterfly" McQueen was an American actress. Originally a dancer, McQueen first appeared in film in 1939 as Prissy, Scarlett O'Hara's maid, in the film Gone with the Wind. She was unable to attend the movie's premiere because it was held at a whites-only theater. Often typecast as a maid, she said: "I didn't mind playing a maid the first time, because I thought that was how you got into the business. But after I did the same thing over and over, I resented it. I didn't mind being funny, but I didn't like being stupid.] She continued as an actress in film in the 1940s, and then moved to television acting in the 1950s. McQueen was appearing on the Broadway stage in the comedy What a Life in 1938 when she was spotted by Kay Brown, talent scout for David O. Selznick, then in pre-production for Gone With the Wind (eventually released in 1939). Brown recommended that McQueen audition for the film. After Selznick saw her screen test, he never considered anyone else and McQueen was cast in the role that would become her most identifiable – "Prissy", a simple-minded house maid. She uttered the famous words: "Oh, Miss Scarlett! I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies!" Her distinctive, high-pitched voice was noted by a critic who described it as "the itsy-little voice fading over the far horizon of comprehension". While the role is well known to audiences, McQueen did not enjoy playing the part and felt it was demeaning to African-Americans.

Casted
  • Gone with the Wind

    Played Prissy

    Average Rating
    7.9
    4234 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 15, 1939
    87 years ago
  • The Mosquito Coast

    Played Ma Kennywick

    Average Rating
    6.4
    497 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 26, 1986
    39 years ago
  • Mildred Pierce

    Played Lottie (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.6
    426 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 20, 1945
    81 years ago
  • Duel in the Sun

    Played Vashti

    Average Rating
    6.3
    180 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 31, 1946
    80 years ago
  • The Women

    Played Lulu (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.1
    169 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 01, 1939
    87 years ago
  • Since You Went Away

    Played WAC Sergeant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    50 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 30, 1944
    82 years ago
  • Cabin in the Sky

    Played Lily

    Average Rating
    6.5
    46 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 24, 1943
    84 years ago
  • Flame of Barbary Coast

    Played Beulah, Flaxen's Maid

    Average Rating
    5.3
    20 votes
    Release Date
    May 28, 1945
    82 years ago
  • Polly

    Played Miss Priss

    Average Rating
    8.2
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 12, 1989
    36 years ago
  • The Phynx

    Played Butterfly McQueen

    Average Rating
    3.2
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 06, 1970
    56 years ago
  • Killer Diller

    Played Butterfly

    Average Rating
    4.9
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1948
    79 years ago
  • Amazing Grace

    Played Clarine

    Average Rating
    6.6
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 30, 1974
    52 years ago
  • Affectionately Yours

    Played Butterfly

    Average Rating
    4.0
    5 votes
    Release Date
    May 10, 1941
    86 years ago
  • I Dood It

    Played Annette

    Average Rating
    3.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 01, 1943
    83 years ago
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

    Played Blind Negress

    Average Rating
    6.7
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 10, 1986
    40 years ago
  • The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

    Played Self

    Average Rating
    8.0
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 01, 1988
    38 years ago
Close
Join Discord Discord logo
Follow on X X logo