Best Black Gay Actors Under 40

Hollywood is full of rising Black LGBTQ+ talent who are leading shows, anchoring films, and shaping the stories we see on screen. From studio franchises to prestige TV, these actors bring range, visibility, and craft to roles that used to be rare. Below are standouts under 40 whose work spans superhero adventures, heartfelt dramas, sharp comedies, and buzzy indies.

Jeremy Pope

A two-time Tony nominee who broke out on Broadway, Jeremy Pope moved to screen with ‘Hollywood’ and ‘Pose’. He earned major acclaim in ‘The Inspection’ and followed it with roles across drama and thriller projects. He continues to balance stage and screen work while developing new film and TV vehicles.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa first drew global attention with ‘Sex Education’ and then took the TARDIS in ‘Doctor Who’. He appeared in ‘Barbie’ and continues filming new episodes as the Doctor. His profile includes fashion campaigns and festival appearances tied to his series schedule.

Justice Smith

Justice Smith starred in ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ and headlined ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’. On TV he led ‘Genera+ion’ and has taken frequent turns in literary adaptations and thrillers. He alternates between studio work and indie dramas while collaborating with emerging directors.

Nicholas L. Ashe

Nicholas Ashe is known for ‘Queen Sugar’ and has stage credits in New York. He has written and directed shorts while continuing film and television roles. He often appears in ensemble dramas focused on family and community.

Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale appeared in ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘The Flash’. He works across acting and music, releasing singles and touring between projects. Recent roles include features and streaming dramas with YA audiences.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made awards history with ‘Pose’, then expanded into comedy with ‘Loot’. She records music alongside acting and appears in event series and features. Brand partnerships and live performances complement her on-screen slate.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore came to prominence with ‘Pose’ and models for top fashion houses. They have acted in features and limited series while voicing campaigns focused on trans and non-binary rights. Their recent work includes genre projects and fashion-driven appearances tied to premieres.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg led ‘The Hate U Give’ and joined ‘Star Wars’ television with ‘The Acolyte’. Their filmography includes ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ and several festival titles. They also produce and contribute to music and publishing projects.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe has acting credits in ‘Moonlight’, ‘Hidden Figures’, and ‘Glass Onion’. They record charting albums and mount international tours between films. Recent roles mix mystery, sci-fi, and historical projects.

Alexandra Shipp

Alexandra Shipp played Storm in the ‘X-Men’ series and appeared in ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’. She works in romantic dramas and thrillers on streaming platforms. Her slate includes music-adjacent roles and ensemble features.

Kiersey Clemons

Kiersey Clemons broke out in ‘Dope’ and has starred in ‘The Flash’ and ‘Somebody I Used to Know’. She alternates between studio releases and indies. Voice work and limited series keep her present across formats.

Jasmin Savoy Brown

Jasmin Savoy Brown stars in ‘Yellowjackets’ and joined the new ‘Scream’ films. She produces a queer news podcast and books projects in both horror and drama. Her theatre background informs recurring roles on prestige TV.

Quintessa Swindell

Quintessa Swindell led Netflix’s ‘Trinkets’ and appeared in ‘Black Adam’. They have headlined indie dramas and front campaigns for major fashion brands. Upcoming work includes action and character-driven features.

Javicia Leslie

Javicia Leslie took the mantle in ‘Batwoman’ and has appeared in ‘God Friended Me’. She books action and crime projects while producing indie films. Con appearances and genre festivals keep her close to fan communities.

Jaboukie Young-White

Jaboukie Young-White has acting credits in ‘Only Murders in the Building’, ‘Black Mirror’, and ‘Strange World’. He writes and performs stand-up, releases music, and develops scripted series. Voice roles and auteur comedies round out his slate.

Jelani Alladin

Jelani Alladin made his Broadway debut in ‘Frozen’ and joined ‘Fellow Travelers’. He continues to split time between stage musicals and television dramas. Workshops and concert performances fill gaps between shoots.

Noah J. Ricketts

Noah Ricketts starred on Broadway in ‘Frozen’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’. He appears in limited series like ‘Fellow Travelers’ and records original music. Regional theatre and readings keep his stage work active.

Dyllón Burnside

Dyllón Burnside starred as Ricky on ‘Pose’ and later appeared in ‘American Horror Stories’. He tours with original music and hosts documentary programming about LGBTQ life in the South. Recent roles include crime anthologies and streaming dramas.

Dewayne Perkins

Dewayne Perkins co-wrote and starred in ‘The Blackening’. His résumé includes ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and sketch work with Second City. He develops film and TV comedies while performing stand-up and writing features.

Tian Richards

Tian Richards led ‘Tom Swift’ on network TV after an introduction in ‘Nancy Drew’. He continues to book sci-fi and thriller roles and appears at conventions tied to the series. Additional credits include guest spots on procedurals and YA dramas.

Rickey Thompson

Rickey Thompson acted in ‘Foursome’ and ‘Swarm’ and hosts a popular podcast. He models and fronts fashion campaigns between acting gigs. Short-form comedy content keeps him highly visible while he pursues film roles.

Devin Way

Devin Way headlined the ‘Queer as Folk’ reimagining and recurred on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He books drama and romance features and appears in festival-bound indies. Modeling and advocacy work run alongside his screen roles.

Brandon Black

Brandon Black appeared in ‘Dear White People’ and starred in ‘A Madea Homecoming’. He has since taken parts in romantic comedies and sitcoms. Casting announcements place him in ensemble features for streaming platforms.

Jermelle Simon

Jermelle Simon stars in ‘The Upshaws’ and books additional sitcom and drama appearances. He engages with fitness and lifestyle partnerships tied to the show. Recent headlines include personal milestones shared with fans alongside new seasons.

Omari Douglas

Omari Douglas earned wide recognition for ‘It’s a Sin’ and has since led major West End productions. He appears in contemporary dramas on British television and continues to book feature roles. His stage work includes new plays and revivals with prominent London theatres.

Fisayo Akinade

Fisayo Akinade broke out in ‘Cucumber’ and ‘Banana’ and later joined ‘Heartstopper’. He works frequently with the Royal Exchange Theatre and the National Theatre. On screen he appears in ensemble casts across comedy and drama.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel created and starred in ‘I May Destroy You’ and joined the MCU with ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She acts, writes, and directs across television and film. Recent projects include international features and limited series work.

Myha’la

Myha’la leads ‘Industry’ and appears in ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ and ‘Leave the World Behind’. She works across studio films and festival dramas. Upcoming roles include thrillers and character-driven features.

Alexandra Grey

Alexandra Grey is known for ‘Empire’ and ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She has starred in independent features and guest roles on network series. Her music releases and speaking engagements run alongside on-screen work.

Bob the Drag Queen

Bob the Drag Queen acts in scripted series including ‘We’re Here’ and guest roles on comedies. Film and television appearances pair with national tours and specials. He also hosts podcasts and develops unscripted projects.

Shaun Ross

Shaun Ross transitioned from high-profile modeling to acting with parts in ‘American Horror Story’ and indie films. He appears in music videos and fashion campaigns tied to screen projects. His filmography includes genre features and arthouse collaborations.

Laith Ashley

Laith Ashley appeared in ‘Pose’ and works as an actor, model, and advocate. He has music releases and on-camera hosting credits. Recent appearances include guest roles and brand campaigns linked to entertainment launches.

Jeremy O. Harris

Jeremy O. Harris acts on stage and screen while writing for film and television. He served as a producer on acclaimed features and makes cameo appearances in series. His play ‘Slave Play’ drives ongoing collaborations with major studios.

Brandon Kyle Goodman

Brandon Kyle Goodman writes and acts in ‘Big Mouth’ and ‘Human Resources’. They appear in live-action comedies and dramas on streaming platforms. Their essays and speaking engagements focus on storytelling and inclusion in entertainment.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné returned to acting with ‘Raven’s Home’ and continues to direct episodes of the series. She has voice roles in animated projects and hosts unscripted programs. Her production work includes development across kids and family content.

Kalen Allen

Kalen Allen made a film debut in ‘An American Pickle’ and appears in talk and variety programming. He hosts digital series and red carpet specials tied to major events. Acting roles include guest spots in sitcoms and streaming comedies.

Mykki Blanco

Mykki Blanco appears in arthouse films and television while recording and touring. Screen credits include experimental features and guest roles in dramas. Fashion collaborations and museum performances intersect with their acting schedule.

Jeremy McClain

Jeremy McClain is known for ‘Pose’ and continues to model for international brands. He acts in shorts and indie features while pursuing photography projects. Festival screenings and gallery work accompany new on-screen roles.

Hailie Sahar

Hailie Sahar starred in ‘Pose’ and has performed in music projects and live events. She appears in guest roles on network dramas and limited series. Advocacy and speaking engagements complement ongoing film and television work.

Share your favorite performances from this list in the comments and tell us who else deserves a shout-out.