Black Actors With Multiple Critics Circle Wins, but No Oscar

Some of the most acclaimed performances in recent years have come from Black actors whose work swept regional and national critics groups. These wins span organizations across the United States and abroad, recognizing unforgettable turns in independent films and major studio releases alike.

Despite this broad recognition, these actors have yet to take home an Academy Award. Their resumes include lead and supporting roles, festival standouts, audience favorites, and breakthrough performances that continue to earn year end honors from critics circles.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett has earned multiple critics circle awards across a career that features landmark roles in biopics and blockbuster franchises. Her performances in films like ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, ‘Black Panther’, and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ drew consistent recognition from city and regional critics groups.

She has received multiple Oscar nominations but has not won the statuette. Her body of work also includes acclaimed turns in ‘Malcolm X’, ‘Boyz n the Hood’, and ‘Music of the Heart’, with critics prizes reflecting both leading and supporting performances.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle has collected critics circle wins for a range of films that span biographical drama and hard hitting thrillers. Honors for ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and earlier work such as ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ appear frequently in regional critics’ archives.

He remains without an Oscar win, though he has been nominated by the Academy. Additional praise followed roles in ‘Traffic’, ‘Out of Sight’, and ‘Miles Ahead’, with critics organizations repeatedly citing his versatility in both lead and supporting categories.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba earned multiple critics circle awards for ‘Beasts of No Nation’, where city and regional groups highlighted his performance in year end tallies. Additional recognition has followed work in films like ‘Mandela Long Walk to Freedom’ and ‘The Harder They Fall’.

Elba has not won an Oscar. His film credits include major studio releases as well as festival premieres, and critics circles have often cited his supporting roles alongside lead turns across independent and genre projects.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan gathered critics circle wins for breakthrough and performance categories tied to ‘Fruitvale Station’ and ‘Creed’. His work has also been recognized by several regional organizations for films like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Just Mercy’.

He has not won an Academy Award. Jordan’s filmography includes studio franchises and independent dramas, with critics’ groups frequently acknowledging both his lead performances and his contributions to ensemble casts.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman received widespread critics circle recognition for performances in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and ‘Da 5 Bloods’. Regional organizations honored him in lead and supporting categories during the same awards season.

He did not win an Oscar. Earlier portrayals in ’42’, ‘Get on Up’, and ‘Marshall’ also drew attention from critics groups, rounding out a film career that consistently resonated with reviewers and year end voters.

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo captured multiple critics circle wins for ‘Da 5 Bloods’, where reviewers across major cities cited his lead performance. Awards from regional organizations added to earlier recognition for films like ‘Clockers’ and ‘The Cider House Rules’.

He remains without an Academy Award. Lindo’s film work spans crime dramas and historical pieces, and critics circles have repeatedly singled out his roles for year end honors and best of lists.

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright earned critics circle wins tied to ‘American Fiction’, which appeared on numerous year end ballots. Earlier film work such as ‘Basquiat’ and ‘Syriana’ also drew notice from regional critics organizations.

Wright has not won an Oscar. His filmography includes ‘The Batman’, ‘The Goldfinch’, and ‘The French Dispatch’, with critics circles frequently recognizing both his lead and supporting screen performances.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown received multiple critics circle awards for his supporting turn in ‘American Fiction’. Regional organizations highlighted his film work during year end announcements and critics prizes.

He has not won an Academy Award. Brown’s feature roles complement an extensive television career, and critics groups have continued to recognize his contributions to ensembles and supporting categories on the film side.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo earned multiple critics circle wins for ‘Rustin’, where regional organizations cited his portrayal of a historic figure. Additional recognition has followed film appearances in titles such as ‘Zola’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’.

He has not won an Oscar. Domingo’s work has been acknowledged by various critics groups for both lead and supporting performances, reflecting a steady presence in independent films and awards season conversations.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor amassed critics circle awards for ’12 Years a Slave’, with city and regional groups honoring his lead performance. Earlier films like ‘Dirty Pretty Things’ and ‘Kinky Boots’ also brought him recognition from reviewers.

He has not won an Academy Award. Ejiofor’s film roles extend to ‘The Martian’ and ‘Doctor Strange’, and critics organizations have continued to include his performances in annual winner lists and ballots.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard has received multiple critics circle wins spanning different periods of her career. Performances in films such as ‘Cross Creek’, ‘Passion Fish’, and ‘Clemency’ have been highlighted by regional critics groups.

She has not won an Oscar. Woodard’s film work covers independent dramas and studio releases, and critics circles continue to recognize her contributions in both leading and supporting roles.

David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo picked up critics circle awards for ‘Selma’, where regional organizations honored his portrayal in lead categories. He has also drawn recognition for films like ‘A United Kingdom’ and ‘Queen of Katwe’.

He does not have an Academy Award. Critics groups have repeatedly included his performances among annual winners and nominees, reflecting a consistent presence in awards season coverage for film.

Danielle Deadwyler

Danielle Deadwyler earned a wide array of critics circle wins for ‘Till’, with regional organizations naming her in lead acting categories. Her performance was a frequent entry in year end winner lists across cities.

She has not won an Oscar. Additional film credits include ‘The Harder They Fall’ and ‘Station Eleven’ related projects, and critics groups have continued to recognize her screen work in seasonal awards.

Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Hounsou has multiple critics circle awards connected to films such as ‘In America’ and ‘Blood Diamond’. Regional organizations repeatedly cited his supporting work in annual selections.

He has not won an Academy Award. Hounsou’s filmography includes ‘Gladiator’, ‘Amistad’, and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, and critics circles have acknowledged his performances in both independent and major studio films.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr. secured critics circle wins for ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’, where regional groups recognized his breakthrough and performance achievements. His name appeared frequently in city critics announcements and year end honors.

He has not won an Oscar. Additional films include ‘Chevalier’ and ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’, with critics organizations continuing to highlight his roles in lead and ensemble contexts.

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