Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Were Black

Hollywood has always been more diverse than it looks at first glance, and many familiar faces have Black heritage that casual viewers might not realize. From comedy favorites to leading men and women, these performers have roots across the African diaspora, including African American and Afro-Latine backgrounds. Here are twenty actors whose family histories, identities, and careers might surprise you if you only know them from a few hit roles. Each entry highlights their background and a couple of notable credits so you can place the face right away.

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones is the daughter of music legend Quincy Jones and actor Peggy Lipton. She first broke out on ‘The Office’ and later starred in ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘Angie Tribeca’. Jones has also written and produced projects in film and TV. Her work behind the camera includes screenwriting credits and producing documentaries.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller has a multiracial background with a Black father of Jamaican and other Caribbean ancestry and a white mother. He became a household name with ‘Prison Break’ and later joined ‘The Flash’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ as Captain Cold. Miller is also a screenwriter who penned the thriller ‘Stoker’. He has spoken openly about identity and representation in entertainment.

Jennifer Beals

Jennifer Beals has an African American father and Irish American mother. She shot to fame with ‘Flashdance’ and has continued working across film and television with roles in ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ and ‘The L Word’. Beals has produced and directed in addition to acting. She is known for supporting arts education and independent filmmaking.

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph is the daughter of singer Minnie Riperton and composer Richard Rudolph. She spent years on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and has starred in features like ‘Bridesmaids’ and the series ‘Loot’. Rudolph is a prolific voice actor in projects such as ‘Big Mouth’ and ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’. She also performs music in comedy acts and live specials.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, is African American and her father is white. Before stepping back from acting, she starred as Rachel Zane on ‘Suits’ for seven seasons. Markle has produced audio and television projects focused on women’s stories. She has also worked with nonprofits on issues including media literacy and community support.

Jessica Szohr

Jessica Szohr has African American and Hungarian ancestry. She rose to fame as Vanessa Abrams on ‘Gossip Girl’ and later joined ‘The Orville’. Szohr has appeared in films like ‘Piranha 3D’ and worked on independent features. She also hosts a podcast interviewing castmates and creatives about television production.

Christina Milian

Christina Milian is an Afro-Cuban American performer who balances acting and music. On screen she led romantic comedies such as ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ and ‘Falling Inn Love’ and appeared in ‘The Oath’. Milian has written songs for major artists and released multiple albums. She continues to develop film and TV projects with streaming platforms.

Rae Dawn Chong

Rae Dawn Chong is the daughter of comedian and actor Tommy Chong and has Black and Chinese ancestry. She starred in ‘Quest for Fire’, ‘Commando’, and ‘The Color Purple’. Chong has worked steadily in television guest roles and independent cinema. She also directs short films and advocates for opportunities for women in the industry.

Lonette McKee

Lonette McKee has a Swedish mother and African American father. She earned acclaim for ‘Sparkle’ and later appeared in ‘Malcolm X’ and ‘Jungle Fever’. McKee is also a stage performer with Broadway credits. She writes music and has released jazz and R&B recordings alongside her screen career.

Carol Channing

Carol Channing publicly shared that she had African American ancestry through her father. Best known for ‘Hello, Dolly!’ on stage, she also acted in films like ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and guest roles on television. Channing’s career spanned decades with Tony and Golden Globe recognition. She supported arts education and performed well into her later years.

Jordan Fisher

Jordan Fisher has Black, Native American, and European heritage. He has starred in ‘To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You’ and the musical film ‘Grease: Live’. Fisher won ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and has led Broadway productions including ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. He also voices characters in animated series and video games.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie, known for acting roles as well as reality TV, has Black and Mexican heritage through her biological family and was adopted by Lionel Richie. On scripted television she starred in ‘Great News’ and made guest appearances on shows like ‘Chuck’. Richie has developed and produced fashion and lifestyle content. She continues to appear in films and streaming comedies.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey, in addition to her music career, has acted in films and television. She has Black and Afro-Venezuelan heritage through her father and Irish heritage through her mother. Carey earned critical praise for ‘Precious’ and appeared in ‘The Butler’ and ‘State Property 2’. She also produces holiday specials and music-driven projects for TV and streaming.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson is Afro-Puerto Rican and Cuban through her family background. She has starred in ‘Sin City’, ‘Rent’, and ‘Ahsoka’ across film and television. Dawson co-founded organizations focused on civic engagement and youth empowerment. She produces documentaries and supports independent film initiatives.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana is an Afro-Latina actor of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage. She leads major franchises with ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ while maintaining roles in dramas like ‘Colombiana’. Saldana founded a digital media company centered on Latine voices. She also mentors young performers and supports STEM education programs.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson has Afro-Panamanian and European heritage. She gained attention in ‘Dear White People’, ‘Creed’, and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. Thompson produces film and TV projects that spotlight underrepresented stories. She records music collaborations tied to soundtrack work and indie releases.

Gina Torres

Gina Torres is Afro-Cuban and has built a long television career. She starred in ‘Firefly’, ‘Suits’, and ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’. Torres has produced series that expand roles for women of color in genre TV. She also narrates audiobooks and documentary programs.

Laz Alonso

Laz Alonso is Afro-Cuban and began in investment banking before acting full time. His credits include ‘Avatar’, ‘Fast & Furious’, and ‘The Boys’. Alonso serves as an executive producer on select projects. He participates in mentorship programs for aspiring Afro-Latine creatives.

Meagan Good

Meagan Good is African American and began acting as a child. She starred in ‘Think Like a Man’, ‘Shazam!’ and the series ‘Harlem’. Good has directed short films and music videos. She advocates for wellness and arts education initiatives for youth.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel has described his background as multiracial and has identified with communities of color including Black heritage through his family. He leads the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise and starred in ‘xXx’ and ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’. Diesel produces films through his company and develops game adaptations. He also records voice roles, including Groot in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’.

Troian Bellisario

Troian Bellisario is the daughter of producer Donald Bellisario and writer Deborah Pratt, who is African American and Creole. She starred as Spencer Hastings on ‘Pretty Little Liars’ across seven seasons. Bellisario has directed short films and a ‘PLL’ episode and wrote and starred in the indie feature ‘Feed’. She has appeared on ‘Suits’ and guest roles on procedural dramas.

Dania Ramirez

Dania Ramirez is a Dominican American actor who identifies as Afro-Latina. She played Maya on ‘Heroes’ and Blanca on ‘Entourage’ before leading ‘Devious Maids’. Ramirez joined ‘Once Upon a Time’ as Cinderella and later appeared on ‘Sweet Tooth’. Her film credits include ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ and ‘Premium Rush’.

Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose is an Afro-Latina performer with stage and screen credits. She won major awards for playing Anita in ‘West Side Story’ and hosted televised specials and events. DeBose appeared in ‘Schmigadoon’ and ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and voices characters in animated projects. She began on Broadway in shows like ‘Hamilton’ and ‘A Bronx Tale’.

Jharrel Jerome

Jharrel Jerome is a Dominican American actor who identifies as Afro-Latino. He won acclaim for ‘When They See Us’ and earlier appeared in ‘Moonlight’. Jerome has starred in the series ‘I’m a Virgo’ and worked in independent films. He records music under his own name alongside his acting projects.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera was of Puerto Rican, African American, and German descent and identified as Afro-Latina. She became widely known for Santana Lopez on ‘Glee’. Rivera acted from childhood with credits on ‘Family Matters’ and ‘The Bernie Mac Show’. She also released a solo single and wrote a memoir.

Madison Pettis

Madison Pettis has African American, French, Italian, and Irish ancestry. She began as a child actor in ‘The Game Plan’ and later appeared in ‘Cory in the House’. Pettis has led teen comedies on streaming platforms and worked in horror features. She also voices roles in animated series and films.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco is a Dominican American actor who has described herself as Afro-Latina. She played Dayanara Diaz on ‘Orange Is the New Black’ across multiple seasons. Polanco appeared in ‘In the Heights’ and in crime dramas on network television. She has worked as a producer on select independent projects.

Hannah John-Kamen

Hannah John-Kamen is of Nigerian and Norwegian heritage. She starred as Dutch on ‘Killjoys’ and appeared in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ as Ghost. John-Kamen has roles in ‘Ready Player One’ and ‘Black Mirror’. She trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama before moving into television and film.

Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale is an Australian actor of Nigerian and Irish descent. He played Wally West on ‘The Flash’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’. Lonsdale appeared in ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘The Divergent Series’. He releases music and has toured with original songs.

Merle Dandridge

Merle Dandridge is of African American and Asian heritage. She starred as Grace Greenleaf on ‘Greenleaf’ and leads ‘The Last of Us’ franchise as the voice and face of Marlene. Dandridge has Broadway credits including ‘Rent’ and ‘Spamalot’. She appears in ‘Station 19’ and guest roles on network dramas.

Amber Stevens West

Amber Stevens West is the daughter of actor Shadoe Stevens and actor Beverly Cunningham, who is African American. She played Ashleigh on ‘Greek’ and later starred in ‘The Carmichael Show’. Stevens West led the sitcom ‘Happy Together’ and appears on ‘Run the World’. Film credits include ’22 Jump Street’ and indie comedies.

Sherri Saum

Sherri Saum is of African American and German heritage. She starred as Lena Adams Foster on ‘The Fosters’ and continued the role on ‘Good Trouble’. Saum has long-running arcs on ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Sunset Beach’. She works with organizations that support foster and adoptive families.

Bianca Lawson

Bianca Lawson is African American and Creole and is known for youthful roles across multiple decades. She appeared on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, ‘Pretty Little Liars’, and ‘Teen Wolf’. Lawson has a key role on ‘Queen Sugar’. Her film credits include ‘Save the Last Dance’ and festival-circuit indies.

Megalyn Echikunwoke

Megalyn Echikunwoke is of Nigerian, Irish, German, and English descent. She guest starred as Mari McCabe on ‘Arrow’ and voiced the animated version of the character in ‘Vixen’. Echikunwoke had series regular roles on ‘CSI: Miami’ and ‘Almost Family’. She appears in comedies and dramas across film and streaming.

Jessica Parker Kennedy

Jessica Parker Kennedy is of African and European heritage. She played Nora West-Allen on ‘The Flash’ and Max on ‘Black Sails’. Kennedy appears in ‘The Old Man’ and earlier worked on ‘Smallville’ and ‘90210’. She trained in theater before moving to television.

Amirah Vann

Amirah Vann is African American and Puerto Rican and identifies as Afro-Latina. She broke through as Ernestine on ‘Underground’. Vann has recurring roles on ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ and ‘Queen Sugar’. She appears in legal and crime dramas and in festival-screened films.

La La Anthony

La La Anthony is Afro-Puerto Rican and has built a career in television and film. She played LaKeisha Grant on ‘Power’ and appears in ‘BMF’. Anthony has produced reality programming and wrote a bestselling book. She acts in romantic comedies and holiday films for streaming services.

Grace Byers

Grace Byers was born in the Cayman Islands to parents of African and British heritage and is hard of hearing. She starred as Anika Calhoun on ‘Empire’ and now leads ‘Harlem’. Byers is also an author of a children’s book about self-acceptance. She appears in stage productions and participates in literacy initiatives.

Nico Parker

Nico Parker is of English and Zimbabwean heritage. She made her film debut in ‘Dumbo’ and later appeared in ‘The Last of Us’. Parker starred in ‘Suncoast’ and worked on British limited series. She has modeled for fashion campaigns alongside her screen work.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito is the son of an Italian father and an African American mother. He is known for Gus Fring on ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. Esposito has appeared in ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Boys’. He directs and produces independent projects and narrates documentaries.

Share your own surprising discoveries or additions to the list in the comments so we can keep the conversation going.