Search results
People also ask
Who was the first black actor to win an Academy Award?
Who are the best black male actors of all time?
Who is the greatest black actor in film history?
Did white actors play a role in blackface?
A list of 100 black actors who have made a mark on the big screen, created by a user named ruffcoaley. See the names, photos, and brief biographies of Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, and more.
A list of 50 African-American actors and actresses ranked by popularity and achievements, created by a user on IMDb. See the names, photos, biographies and film credits of Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and more.
- Denzel Washington. Antwone Fisher, Book of Eli, American Gangster. 4,275 votes. With a career crammed with powerful performances, Denzel Washington carries an unmatched depth in his dramatic roles, notably in films like Training Day, for which he scored an Oscar.
- Morgan Freeman. Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Million Dollar Baby. 3,572 votes. Beloved for his velvety-firm voice and commanding presence, Morgan Freeman is a fixture of American cinema, renowned for his roles in Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby.
- Samuel L. Jackson. Pulp Fiction, The Avengers, Django Unchained. 3,139 votes. Keeping tongues wagging with his dynamic performances and character versatility, Samuel L. Jackson, has candidly marked his territory in Hollywood with films like Pulp Fiction and the Star Wars series.
- Laurence Fishburne. The Matrix, Man of Steel, Boyz in the Hood. 2,070 votes. Laurence Fishburne, known for his role as Morpheus in the Matrix series, brings a gravitational pull on the screen that's hard to ignore.
- Denzel Washington. Mount Vernon, New York, USA. 5,693 votes. Denzel Washington is a powerhouse actor who has consistently delivered award-winning performances throughout his illustrious career.
- Morgan Freeman. Memphis, Tennessee, USA. 5,053 votes. Morgan Freeman is an iconic actor known for his deep, calming voice and his ability to portray complex characters with ease.
- Samuel L. Jackson. Washington, D.C., USA. 4,305 votes. Samuel L. Jackson is a larger-than-life actor whose charismatic on-screen presence frequently steals the spotlight.
- Laurence Fishburne. Augusta, Georgia, USA. 2,821 votes. Laurence Fishburne is an accomplished actor who has demonstrated his range in a variety of film genres.
- Cicely Tyson
- Hattie Mcdaniel
- Angela Bassett
- Spike Lee
- Sidney Poitier
- Chadwick Boseman
- Denzel Washington
- Ethel Waters
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Halle Berry
Cicely Tyson is an entertainment icon, a living legend with a career spanning more than six decades. The first Black person to star in a prime-time drama in the '60s, Tyson has made history numerous times with her acting performances and her ability to break records and pave the way for Black women in entertainment. In 2018, she became the first Bl...
Hattie McDaniel showed true strength and hope as a Black woman in Hollywood in the 1940s. Because of the color of her skin, McDaniel was forced to sit in the backroom inside the Academy Awards' segregated venue when she became the first Black person to win an Oscar for the film "Gone With the Wind." She was not allowed to attend the film's premiere...
Angela Bassett is another notable name in Black Hollywood, well known for her role portraying Tina Turner in the emotional classic "What's Love Got to Do With It." Since then, she's appeared and starred in countless films representing Black culture, such as "Waiting to Exhale" and "Black Panther." Bassett has also portrayed some of the most iconic ...
Spike Lee has made his fair share of marks in the film industry as a writer, director, producer, and actor. He made his directorial debut with "She's Gotta Have It" in 1986, but in 1989, "Do the Right Thing" placed Lee on the map as a notable filmmaker and actor internationally. Since then, he's gone on to make numerous films that tell the story of...
One of the most prominent names to have paved the way for all Black actors in Hollywood, Sidney Poitier has been continually honored for his endeavors throughout his career as an actor, director, and author. Known as the Godfather to Black Hollywood, Poitier broke color barriers in the United States and became the first Black actor to win an Academ...
Chadwick Boseman did a lot for Black history with his dynamic portrayals of African American figures throughout his tragically short acting career. He has portrayed historical figures such as Jackie Robinson in "42," James Brown in "Get Up," and Supreme CourtJustice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall." Boseman became a household name when he starred as...
The second Black man to win a best actor Academy Award, for his performance in "Training Day" in 2001, Denzel Washington has made his mark in entertainment history and broke barriers with his powerful performances. He has been described as an actor who reconfigured "the concept of classic movie stardom" by film historian Donald Bogle. Some of his m...
Ethel Waters began her career in the 1920s, singing the blues in the midst of the Great Migration. She became the first Black woman to integrate into Broadway and was well known to play by her own rules. Waters was the first Black person to star in her own television series, "The Ethel Waters Show" on NBCin 1939, and the first to be nominated for a...
Before she was an opinionated moderator on "The View," Whoopi Goldberg established herself as an all-around award winner, joining the small group of "EGOT" winners, or people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. Goldberg won a best actress Golden Globe in 1985 for "The Color Purple," a Grammy Award for best comedy album in 1986, a B...
In 2002, Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress, for her work in "Monster's Ball." To this day, Berry remains the first and only Black actress to take home an Oscar in the leading category. The leading lady of "Catwoman" recently claimed the win is one of her biggest heartbreaks, as no other Black woman has ever w...
A list of the most respected and influential black actors in Hollywood, from Sidney Poitier to Will Smith. See their biographies, filmographies, awards and photos on IMDb.
Jun 13, 2022 · Learn about the achievements and contributions of 52 Black actors who broke barriers and paved the way for future generations in Hollywood, TV, and Broadway. From Cicely Tyson to Denzel Washington, these actors have starred in iconic roles, won awards, and faced challenges and discrimination.
