Black Celebs Who Started In Small Roles And Ended Up Unforgettable

The journey from an unknown extra or a minor supporting character to a household name is a common trajectory in Hollywood. Many of the most respected Black actors and entertainers today began their careers with fleeting screen time or guest appearances in long-running television procedural dramas. These early roles provided the foundation for professional growth and eventual industry dominance. This list examines the humble beginnings of 40 stars who successfully transitioned from small parts to unforgettable careers.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington made his feature film debut in the 1981 film ‘Carbon Copy’. Before this, he appeared in the television movie ‘Wilma’ as 18-year-old Robert Eldridge. He gained significant attention through his role in the television series ‘St. Elsewhere’, where he played Dr. Philip Chandler for six seasons. Washington eventually transitioned into lead roles in cinema, earning an Academy Award for ‘Glory’.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson spent years as a character actor, appearing in small roles in films like ‘Coming to America’ and ‘Ragtime’. He worked extensively in theater before landing a minor role as a technician in the 1993 film ‘Jurassic Park’. His breakthrough occurred with ‘Pulp Fiction’, which established him as a leading talent in Hollywood. Jackson has since become one of the highest-grossing actors in cinematic history.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis began her career with a one-day filming job on the film ‘The Substance of Fire’. She continued to work in minor roles on television shows such as ‘City of Angels’ and ‘NYPD Blue’. Her career reached a turning point with her eight-minute appearance in the 2008 film ‘Doubt’. Davis is now an EGOT winner, having secured an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

Regina King

Regina King first gained recognition as Brenda Jenkins on the television series ‘227’. Following this, she took on a supporting role in ‘Boyz n the Hood’, which helped transition her into film. She spent the following decades building a diverse portfolio of work in both television and cinema. King eventually won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali started his professional acting career with a recurring role on the television series ‘Crossing Jordan’. He appeared in several minor television parts, including roles in ‘Threat Matrix’ and ‘The 4400’. His film career gained momentum after he was cast as Tizzy Weathers in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’. Ali has since won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba began his career in the United Kingdom with small roles in television series such as ‘The Bill’ and ‘Bramwell’. He moved to the United States and secured a breakthrough role as Stringer Bell in the HBO series ‘The Wire’. This performance led to lead roles in major films and the series ‘Luther’. Elba is now recognized as a global star and has received multiple award nominations.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett appeared in minor roles in television shows like ‘Search for Tomorrow’ and ‘The Cosby Show’ early in her career. She gained notice for her role in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ as Reva Styles. Her portrayal of Tina Turner in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ propelled her to international fame. Bassett has since established a career spanning decades in both film and television.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry began her acting career on the short-lived television series ‘Living Dolls’. She made her film debut with a small role in Spike Lee’s ‘Jungle Fever’, where she played a character struggling with addiction. This role led to more prominent parts in films like ‘Boomerang’ and ‘The Last Boy Scout’. Berry eventually became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman spent many years working in theater and on the children’s television program ‘The Electric Company’. His early film work consisted of minor roles in movies such as ‘Brubaker’. He received widespread critical acclaim for his performance in ‘Street Smart’, which served as his breakout role. Freeman has since become one of the most respected and recognizable voices in entertainment.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer spent years playing small roles, often cast as a nurse or an administrative assistant in various films and television shows. She appeared briefly in projects like ‘A Time to Kill’ and ‘Spider-Man’. Her career trajectory changed significantly after she was cast as Minny Jackson in ‘The Help’. Spencer has since received multiple Academy Award nominations and a win for Best Supporting Actor.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne began his career as a child actor, appearing in the soap opera ‘One Life to Live’. At the age of 14, he was cast in a small role in the war film ‘Apocalypse Now’. He continued to work steadily in character roles throughout the 1980s, including a part in ‘The Color Purple’. Fishburne eventually achieved leading man status with his role as Morpheus in ‘The Matrix’.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker made his film debut with a minor role in the 1982 comedy ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’. He followed this with small parts in ‘Platoon’ and ‘The Color of Money’. His performance as Charlie Parker in ‘Bird’ earned him critical acclaim and the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. Whitaker later won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Idi Amin in ‘The Last King of Scotland’.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o worked as a production assistant on several films before pursuing an acting career. Her first professional acting role was in the Kenyan television series ‘Shuga’. Shortly after graduating from the Yale School of Drama, she was cast in the film ’12 Years a Slave’. This debut film role earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman began his career with guest appearances on television shows such as ‘Third Watch’ and ‘Law & Order’. He spent several years working in theater and directing before landing a lead role in the series ‘Lincoln Heights’. His portrayal of Jackie Robinson in the film ’42’ established him as a major film star. Boseman is remembered for his impactful roles in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson started her career with guest roles on television series like ‘Sister, Sister’ and ‘The Parent ‘Hood’. She gained broader recognition for her role as Yvette in the 2001 film ‘Baby Boy’. Henson continued to build her career with a notable performance in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’. She eventually achieved widespread fame for her role as Cookie Lyon in the series ‘Empire’.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx began his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian before joining the cast of the sketch comedy show ‘In Living Color’. He transitioned into television with his own sitcom, ‘The Jamie Foxx Show’. His film career accelerated after he took on dramatic roles in ‘Any Given Sunday’ and ‘Ali’. Foxx eventually won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the biographical film ‘Ray’.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington made her screen debut in the 1994 telefilm ‘Magical Make-Over’. She appeared in the independent film ‘Our Song’ and had a supporting role in ‘Save the Last Dance’. Washington gained significant fame for her portrayal of Olivia Pope in the television series ‘Scandal’. She has since become a prominent figure in both film and television production.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae first gained attention through her self-produced web series ‘The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl’. The success of the YouTube series led to the development of her own show on HBO. She co-created and starred in ‘Insecure’, which earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Rae has since transitioned into major film roles and established her own production company.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover began his career as a writer for the sitcom ’30 Rock’, where he also made occasional cameo appearances. He gained fame as an actor for his role as Troy Barnes on the comedy series ‘Community’. Glover later created and starred in the critically acclaimed series ‘Atlanta’. He also performs as a successful recording artist under the stage name Childish Gambino.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan started as a child model and actor, appearing in episodes of ‘Cosby’ and ‘The Sopranos’. He gained critical notice for his role as Wallace in the HBO series ‘The Wire’. Jordan continued to work in television on ‘Friday Night Lights’ and ‘Parenthood’ before moving into film. His lead role in ‘Fruitvale Station’ propelled him to stardom in major franchises like ‘Creed’ and ‘Black Panther’.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson began her career in professional theater before making her television debut in ‘Cold Case’. She had a recurring role on ‘Veronica Mars’ and appeared in several independent films. Her performance in ‘Dear White People’ brought her widespread critical attention. Thompson has since appeared in major films such as ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and the ‘Creed’ series.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown appeared in guest roles on various television series, including ‘ER’, ‘NYPD Blue’, and ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’. He spent many years working steadily in supporting roles before his breakthrough in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story’. His performance as Christopher Darden earned him an Emmy Award. Brown achieved further success starring in the drama series ‘This Is Us’.

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright began his career in theater, winning a Tony Award for his role in ‘Angels in America’. He made his film debut with a small role in the legal thriller ‘Presumed Innocent’. Wright became known for his transformative performances in films like ‘Basquiat’ and ‘Syriana’. He has since held prominent roles in the ‘James Bond’ franchise and the series ‘Westworld’.

Zendaya

Zendaya started her career as a child model and dancer before starring in the Disney Channel series ‘Shake It Up’. She transitioned away from her Disney roots with a supporting role in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’. Her performance in the drama series ‘Euphoria’ made her the youngest person to win two Emmy Awards for Lead Actress. Zendaya is now considered one of the most influential figures in contemporary entertainment.

John Boyega

John Boyega first gained recognition for his role in the 2011 British science fiction film ‘Attack the Block’. Before this, he had performed in various theater productions in London. He achieved global fame after being cast as Finn in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. Boyega has since utilized his platform to advocate for diversity and has starred in films like ‘The Woman King’.

Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya began his career in the United Kingdom as a writer and actor on the teen drama ‘Skins’. He appeared in several British television shows, including ‘Black Mirror’ and ‘Psychoville’. His international breakthrough came with the lead role in the horror film ‘Get Out’. Kaluuya later won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Fred Hampton in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’.

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie made his film debut in the 2002 film ‘8 Mile’, playing the antagonist Papa Doc. He continued to work in various supporting roles in films such as ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’. His profile increased significantly after he was cast as Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mackie now headlines his own series and films as the new Captain America.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris began her career as a child actress in the television series ‘The Tomorrow People’. She gained international recognition for her role in the post-apocalyptic film ’28 Days Later’. Harris has played major roles in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise and the ‘James Bond’ series as Moneypenny. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the film ‘Moonlight’.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito began his career on Broadway and appeared in several episodes of ‘Sesame Street’ during the 1980s. He held minor roles in films such as ‘Trading Places’ and ‘Taps’ early in his career. He became a prominent character actor through his collaborations with Spike Lee in films like ‘Do the Right Thing’. Esposito achieved widespread acclaim for his role as Gustavo Fring in the series ‘Breaking Bad’.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall made her film debut with a supporting role in the 1999 film ‘The Best Man’. She became widely recognized for her role as Brenda Meeks in the ‘Scary Movie’ film franchise. Hall spent years working in various comedic and dramatic roles in both film and television. She eventually made history as the first Black woman to win the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress for ‘Support the Girls’.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle started his career with small roles in the 1980s, including appearances in ‘Moving Violations’ and ‘Hamburger Hill’. He gained notice for his role as Mouse Alexander in the film ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’. Cheadle’s performance in ‘Hotel Rwanda’ earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He is also widely recognized for his long-standing role as James Rhodes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe established a successful music career before transitioning into acting. She provided voice work for ‘Rio 2’ before landing her first major live-action film roles. In 2016, she appeared in two critically acclaimed films, ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. Monáe has since continued to balance her music career with leading roles in films such as ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris began her career with a guest role on the television series ‘The Good Wife’. She gained significant recognition for her recurring role as Dawn Chambers on the drama series ‘Mad Men’. Parris later starred in the independent film ‘Dear White People’ and Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’. She has since joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Monica Rambeau.

Winston Duke

Winston Duke began his professional acting career with guest roles on television series such as ‘Person of Interest’ and ‘Modern Family’. He gained international fame for his portrayal of M’Baku in the film ‘Black Panther’. Following this success, he starred in the psychological thriller ‘Us’ and the drama ‘Nine Days’. Duke has quickly become a sought-after actor for major studio productions.

Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield made his film debut in the independent drama ‘Short Term 12’. He gained further attention for his portrayal of Civil Rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson in the film ‘Selma’. Stanfield became a household name through his role as Darius Epps in the television series ‘Atlanta’. He has since starred in several critically acclaimed films, including ‘Get Out’ and ‘Sorry to Bother You’.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo began her career in British theater and television, appearing in the series ‘Chewing Gum’. She gained international acclaim for her performance in the Broadway revival of ‘The Color Purple’, winning a Tony Award. Erivo successfully transitioned to film with roles in ‘Widows’ and ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’. She received two Academy Award nominations for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in ‘Harriet’.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II made his professional acting debut in the Netflix musical drama series ‘The Get Down’. He quickly secured roles in major films, including ‘Baywatch’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’. His portrayal of Black Manta in ‘Aquaman’ and his Emmy-winning role in ‘Watchmen’ established him as a major star. Abdul-Mateen II has since led films like ‘Candyman’ and ‘The Matrix Resurrections’.

Jonathan Majors

Jonathan Majors began his career with a role in the miniseries ‘When We Rise’ while still a student at Yale. He gained critical recognition for his performance in the independent film ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’. Majors subsequently starred in the HBO series ‘Lovecraft Country’, which earned him an Emmy nomination. He has since appeared in major projects such as ‘Da 5 Bloods’ and ‘Creed III’.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw started her career with minor roles in British television series like ‘Holby City’ and ‘Doctor Who’. She moved into leading roles with the period drama ‘Belle’, which brought her international attention. She has since starred in a variety of projects, including the ‘Black Mirror’ episode ‘San Junipero’ and the series ‘The Morning Show’. Mbatha-Raw is now a well-established lead in both film and television.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. began his career with small roles in films such as ‘Ender’s Game’ and ’12 Years a Slave’. He gained critical acclaim for his leading roles in the independent films ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’. These performances established him as one of the most promising young actors of his generation. Harrison Jr. has since appeared in major productions like ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ and ‘Elvis’.

Tell us which of these stars’ early roles surprised you the most in the comments.