Best African American Actors of All Time
African American performers have shaped every era of film and television through landmark roles, major awards, and enduring box office success. Their work spans studio blockbusters, intimate dramas, and prestige television that set new benchmarks for storytelling and representation. This list highlights achievements that can be measured through awards, historic firsts, longevity, and the impact of specific roles that continue to be studied and revisited.
Each profile focuses on concrete milestones such as Oscar wins and nominations, major series leads, era defining characters, and long running collaborations with influential directors and writers. You will also find franchise anchors, crossover careers in music and theater, and artists who opened doors through guild leadership and philanthropy connected to the screen industries.
Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier earned the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘Lilies of the Field’ and became a consistent box office draw with films like ‘In the Heat of the Night’, ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’, and ‘To Sir, with Love’. He was the first Black performer to win the Best Actor Oscar and later received an Honorary Academy Award for his contributions to American cinema.
Behind the camera he directed hits such as ‘Stir Crazy’ and worked with studios during a period when few Black filmmakers had access to directing opportunities. He served as a trailblazer for later generations through his choices of socially resonant roles and by negotiating lead billing and creative control on major releases.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington has two Academy Awards for acting with wins for ‘Glory’ and ‘Training Day’ and multiple nominations across decades. His collaborations include recurring work with directors like Spike Lee and Tony Scott and stage triumphs that earned him a Tony Award for ‘Fences’, which he later produced and starred in for the screen.
He has led franchises and historical dramas with titles such as ‘The Equalizer’, ‘Malcolm X’, ‘Remember the Titans’, and ‘Flight’. As a producer he has shepherded adaptations and projects for emerging talent while maintaining a consistent record of leading roles in prestige films.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Million Dollar Baby’ and earned nominations for ‘Street Smart’, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’, ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, and ‘Invictus’. His distinctive narration became part of the identity of documentaries and feature films including ‘March of the Penguins’.
His filmography bridges studio franchises and character driven dramas with roles in ‘Se7en’, ‘Unforgiven’, ‘The Dark Knight’, and ‘Now You See Me’. He has also appeared regularly on television and in theater, sustaining a career that spans more than five decades.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson received an Honorary Academy Award and is widely recognized for record breaking cumulative box office totals through roles across the ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Marvel’ series and collaborations with Quentin Tarantino that include ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Django Unchained’. His filmography features a high volume of releases with consistent audience reach.
He originated the role of Nick Fury across multiple ‘Avengers’ related titles and continued the character on television with ‘Secret Invasion’. He remains active in independent features while voicing animated projects such as ‘The Incredibles’, demonstrating range across formats.
Will Smith
Will Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘King Richard’ after earlier nominations for ‘Ali’ and ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’. He built one of the most reliable box office careers with franchises like ‘Men in Black’, ‘Bad Boys’, and stand alone hits such as ‘Independence Day’ and ‘I Am Legend’.
He transitioned from the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ to leading film roles without a gap, which positioned him as a four quadrant star through the late nineties and 2000s. He has also produced films and series under his company banner, developing projects for streaming and theatrical release.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘Ray’ and received a supporting nomination the same year for ‘Collateral’. His work includes music achievements with Grammy wins and charting albums that intersected with screen roles, creating a multi platform presence.
He anchored action and drama titles such as ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Just Mercy’, ‘Baby Driver’, and entries in the ‘Spider Man’ universe. He has also headlined and produced television projects while continuing feature work across genres.
Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali is a two time Academy Award winner for ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Green Book’. He became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar and has maintained a steady presence in prestige television with ‘True Detective’ and ‘House of Cards’.
He has been cast as Blade in the Marvel lineup and has balanced franchise commitments with independent films like ‘Swan Song’. His career includes stage and voice roles, and he has participated in audiobook and narrative podcast work linked to major studios.
Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘The Last King of Scotland’ and has earned prizes at Cannes and from the Screen Actors Guild. His filmography includes ‘Bird’, ‘The Crying Game’, ‘Arrival’, and entries in the ‘Star Wars’ universe where he plays Saw Gerrera across film, television, and games.
He founded Significant Productions to develop diverse stories and has produced projects that reached international festivals. His television work includes ‘Godfather of Harlem’ where he serves as lead and executive producer with extended multi season runs.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy won a Golden Globe for ‘Dreamgirls’ and received an Academy Award nomination for the same role. His early breakout on ‘Saturday Night Live’ led to box office runs with ‘Beverly Hills Cop’, ‘Coming to America’, ’48 Hrs’, and ‘The Nutty Professor’, each establishing durable catalog value.
He has voiced the character Donkey in the ‘Shrek’ series and returned to legacy titles with ‘Coming 2 America’. His stand up specials and music releases add to a cross media career while recent projects include biographical and holiday themed features for streaming platforms.
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne received an Academy Award nomination for ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and has multiple Emmy and Tony Awards, achieving the rare Triple Crown of Acting. His film roles range from ‘The Matrix’ series to ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’ where he appeared early in his career.
On television he has led shows like ‘Black ish’ and limited series such as ‘The Tuskegee Airmen’. He also produces for stage and screen and has narrated documentaries, contributing to educational and cultural programming.
Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and collected multiple Emmy wins across acting and producing categories. He portrays James Rhodes in the Marvel film series and continued the character on streaming in ‘Armor Wars’ development and related appearances.
His television work includes ‘House of Lies’ and ‘Black Monday’ with producer credits that extend to feature films and documentaries. He is active in ensemble casts and independent cinema, maintaining a presence at major festivals.
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes became a pioneering superhero lead with the ‘Blade’ trilogy, which demonstrated audience demand for comic adaptations in the late nineties. His filmography includes ‘New Jack City’, ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, and ‘Demolition Man’, covering action and sports themed stories.
He trained in martial arts, which informed choreography and fight design on screen. He has returned to ensemble comedies and streaming features while participating in producing and development for genre projects.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Cuba Gooding Jr. won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Jerry Maguire’. His career features sports and historical dramas such as ‘Radio’, ‘Men of Honor’, and ‘Pearl Harbor’, alongside television work in limited series formats.
He has appeared on stage and in television movies, expanding beyond theatrical releases. His early roles in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and ‘A Few Good Men’ established range in ensemble casts that continued across later projects.
Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan leads the ‘Creed’ series as Adonis Creed and served as director for a later installment, managing both in front of and behind the camera responsibilities. His portrayal of Erik Killmonger in ‘Black Panther’ became a central element in the film’s narrative impact and global reach.
He co founded Outlier Society, one of the first companies to adopt an inclusion rider, and has produced films and series for major streamers and studios. Early television roles in ‘The Wire’ and ‘Friday Night Lights’ provided a foundation for his transition to leading feature roles.
Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman headlined ‘Black Panther’ in a role that led to global box office milestones and significant cultural visibility for a superhero of African heritage. He portrayed historical figures in ’42’, ‘Get on Up’, and ‘Marshall’, creating a sequence of biographical performances within a short span.
He received a posthumous Academy Award nomination for ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and won multiple awards across critics groups for roles completed in his final years. His work continues through voice performances released after his passing, including ‘What If…?’ within the Marvel series.
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright won the Tony Award for ‘Angels in America’ and later won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the same role on television, completing a rare stage to screen achievement with the same character. He has earned Academy Award recognition with a nomination for ‘American Fiction’.
His credits include ‘Basquiat’, ‘Syriana’, and franchise roles in ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘James Bond’. He also starred in ‘Westworld’ and continues frequent collaborations with directors such as Wes Anderson in ‘The French Dispatch’ and ‘Asteroid City’.
Sterling K. Brown
Sterling K. Brown won Emmys for ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’ and ‘This Is Us’, becoming the first Black actor to win the lead drama actor Emmy in more than a decade at the time of his award. He has also earned Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards for ensemble and individual performance.
He has appeared in films including ‘Waves’, ‘Hotel Artemis’, and ‘Black Panther’. His producing work extends to network and streaming projects, and he has contributed voice roles to animated features and series.
Delroy Lindo
Delroy Lindo’s filmography includes ‘Malcolm X’, ‘Crooklyn’, and ‘Clockers’ in repeated collaborations with Spike Lee, followed by a lead turn in ‘Da 5 Bloods’. He has accumulated nominations from major critics groups and guilds and received widespread recognition for television work.
On television he led ‘The Good Fight’ and has appeared in limited series and streaming features. His stage work includes Broadway productions with award nominations that underscore a long career across mediums.
Andre Braugher
Andre Braugher won the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ and later added an Emmy for supporting work in ‘Thief’. He earned further awards and nominations for ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’, demonstrating range from dramatic leads to long running comedy ensembles.
He appeared in features such as ‘Glory’, ‘Primal Fear’, and ‘The Mist’, and maintained recurring roles in prestige television. His theater credits include Shakespeare productions and contemporary plays with critical recognition over multiple decades.
John David Washington
John David Washington moved from professional sports to acting with a lead role on ‘Ballers’ and then transitioned to film leads in ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and ‘Tenet’. He has continued with features like ‘Malcolm and Marie’ and ‘The Creator’, building a filmography that spans original stories and large scale science fiction.
He has performed on Broadway in ‘The Piano Lesson’ and has worked with directors including Spike Lee and Christopher Nolan. His projects include both theatrical releases and streaming premieres, reflecting current distribution models for studio and independent films.
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones earned a Tony Award early in his stage career and later built one of the most recognizable voices in film through roles in ‘Star Wars’ and ‘The Lion King’. His screen credits include ‘The Great White Hope’, ‘Field of Dreams’, and ‘Coming to America’, along with extensive work in television movies and series.
He has narrated documentaries and cultural programs for major broadcasters and recorded audiobooks for classic literature. His honors include a Kennedy Center Honor and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild that recognize his contributions across theater, film, and television.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett Jr. became the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’. He began on Broadway and transitioned to film and television with roles in ‘Roots’, ‘Enemy Mine’, and ‘Iron Eagle’, spanning prestige drama and action franchises.
He worked steadily across decades in television miniseries and movies while supporting arts education initiatives tied to his foundation. His later career included appearances in ‘Watchmen’ and independent features that premiered at festivals and on streaming platforms.
Paul Winfield
Paul Winfield earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Sounder’ and a Primetime Emmy Award for guest acting in drama. His feature work includes ‘The Terminator’, ‘Presumed Innocent’, and ‘Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan’, reflecting a range from family narratives to science fiction.
He appeared in television series and television films while narrating documentaries for public television. His roles often involved historical figures and legal or political storylines that required research based preparation and precise delivery.
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte starred in films such as ‘Carmen Jones’, ‘Odds Against Tomorrow’, and ‘Buck and the Preacher’ while maintaining a groundbreaking music career that reached the top of the album charts. He produced and headlined projects that expanded opportunities for Black talent in front of and behind the camera.
He served as a producer on ‘Beat Street’ and supported television specials that highlighted Black artists and civil rights history. His awards include a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for industry and advocacy work.
Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis balanced acting, writing, and directing with performances in ‘Do the Right Thing’, ‘Malcolm X’, and ‘The Client’. He collaborated frequently with Ruby Dee and contributed scripts and stage works that were adapted for screen projects.
His television career included recurring roles and specials along with documentary narration. He received the National Medal of Arts and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in recognition of his influence across media.
Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers became widely known for ‘Rocky’ and later expanded his filmography with ‘Predator’ and ‘Happy Gilmore’. He returned to a major franchise audience through television with ‘The Mandalorian’, where he also directed episodes in addition to acting.
Before acting he played professional football, which informed his athletic screen presence and action choreography. He guest starred across network and cable series and worked in voice acting for animation and games tied to established brands.
Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams starred in ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ and ‘Mahogany’ and joined a global franchise audience as Lando Calrissian in ‘Star Wars’. He continued that character through later entries and related media while appearing in television series and television films.
He worked in theater and visual art alongside screen roles and released a memoir that documented his career and collaborations. His voice roles include animation and video games, adding to a presence that spans multiple generations of viewers.
Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan received an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Green Mile’ and appeared in titles such as ‘Armageddon’, ‘The Whole Nine Yards’, and ‘Planet of the Apes’. His distinctive voice led to work in animation including ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and ‘Brother Bear’.
He transitioned from security work in the entertainment industry to acting and built a steady film and television career. His credits include guest roles on network shows and supporting turns in ensemble casts for studio releases.
Ving Rhames
Ving Rhames is known for playing Luther Stickell in the ‘Mission Impossible’ series across multiple installments. He won a Golden Globe for ‘Don King Only in America’ and delivered impactful supporting roles in ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Out of Sight’, and ‘Con Air’.
He has anchored television movies and miniseries while continuing recurring franchise work. His voice appearances include animated features and advertising campaigns that leverage his recognizable delivery.
Keith David
Keith David built a busy career in film, television, and voice acting with roles in ‘Platoon’, ‘They Live’, and ‘Crash’. He is a frequent narrator for documentaries and has voiced characters in animation and video games including ‘Gargoyles’ and entries in the ‘Halo’ series.
On television he appeared in ‘Greenleaf’ and numerous guest roles across procedural and comedy formats. He maintains a stage presence and records spoken word and audiobook projects connected to classic and contemporary texts.
Courtney B. Vance
Courtney B. Vance won a Tony Award for ‘Lucky Guy’ and an Emmy for ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’ for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran. His film work includes ‘Hamburger Hill’, ‘The Hunt for Red October’, and ‘Isle of Dogs’, showing both live action and voice roles.
He has led and produced series for streaming and cable while teaching and mentoring through arts organizations. His career includes recurring roles on ‘Law and Order Criminal Intent’ and appearances in limited series with strong critical response.
Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie joined the Marvel saga as Sam Wilson and assumed the mantle of Captain America through ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ and subsequent features. His filmography includes ‘The Hurt Locker’, ‘Detroit’, and ‘Outside the Wire’, combining independent drama and action driven stories.
He established a production company to develop projects for film and television and has filmed features in New Orleans that support local crews. His early stage work at Juilliard prepared him for a steady transition into major studio roles.
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo earned a Tony nomination for ‘The Scottsboro Boys’ and later received widespread recognition for ‘Euphoria’ on television. He portrayed Bayard Rustin in ‘Rustin’ and delivered acclaimed performances in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’.
He has writing and directing credits for theater and independent film and teaches master classes for actors and writers. His production company develops stories across formats while he continues to appear in limited series and feature films.
Brian Tyree Henry
Brian Tyree Henry became known for ‘Atlanta’ and received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Causeway’. His film work includes ‘Spider Man Into the Spider Verse’, ‘Godzilla vs Kong’, and ‘Bullet Train’, ranging from animation to large scale action.
He earned a Tony nomination for ‘Lobby Hero’ and continues to work on stage between screen projects. His television guest roles and limited series appearances add to a filmography that balances studio features and independent drama.
Lakeith Stanfield
Lakeith Stanfield’s features include ‘Get Out’, ‘Sorry to Bother You’, ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’, and ‘Knives Out’. He has appeared in television series such as ‘Atlanta’ and limited series centered on historical and literary subjects.
He records music and collaborates with directors known for original storytelling approaches. His roles often require rapid shifts in tone and genre that showcase flexibility across independent and studio productions.
Aldis Hodge
Aldis Hodge starred as Jim Brown in ‘One Night in Miami’ and appeared in ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Straight Outta Compton’, and ‘Brian Banks’. He joined the DC universe in ‘Black Adam’ as Hawkman and returned to long running television with ‘Leverage’ and ‘Leverage Redemption’.
He is a trained watch designer and has presented horology work at industry events while continuing acting projects. His career includes voice acting in animation and games and guest roles across network and streaming series.
Omar Epps
Omar Epps appeared in ‘Juice’, ‘Love and Basketball’, and ‘Higher Learning’, establishing a presence in coming of age and sports narratives. He maintained a long run on television with ‘House’ and later with genre shows such as ‘Resurrection’ and ‘Power Book III Raising Kanan’.
He has authored a book about life and industry experiences and supports youth arts programs. His filmography includes producing credits and recurring roles that connect back to his early work in urban dramas.
Taye Diggs
Taye Diggs made a strong showcase with ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ and ‘The Best Man’, followed by ensemble work in ‘Chicago’ and ‘Rent’. On television he led ‘All American’ and appeared in ‘Private Practice’, building multi season credentials.
He has a Broadway background with roles in ‘Rent’ and ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and has authored children’s books. His career includes hosting and reality competition judging alongside acting and stage performances.
Donald Glover
Donald Glover created and starred in ‘Atlanta’ and earned multiple Emmys for acting and producing. His film credits include ‘Solo A Star Wars Story’, ‘The Martian’, and voice work as Simba in ‘The Lion King’, combining franchise roles with original television.
He works as a writer and musician under the name Childish Gambino with Grammy winning releases. He develops series and specials for streaming services while collaborating with directors and performers across comedy and drama.
Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hustle and Flow’ and appeared in ‘Crash’, ‘Iron Man’, and ‘Ray’. He led the television series ‘Empire’ for multiple seasons, which included music releases tied to the show.
He has producer credits on films and television projects and has studied and presented ideas in engineering forums alongside his entertainment work. His filmography spans independent drama and major studio releases with recurring roles that connect film and television.
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