Black Gay Actors Who Won Prestigious Awards

This celebration of talent highlights thirty Black LGBTQ+ actors who have been recognized with some of the entertainment industry’s highest honors. From the stages of Broadway to the silver screen and television, these performers have broken barriers and delivered unforgettable performances. Their victories at ceremonies like the Oscars, Emmys, Tonys, and BAFTAs signal a shifting landscape that increasingly values diverse voices and authentic storytelling. Each individual on this list has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to their craft while living openly and authentically. The following professionals have etched their names in history through their award-winning work.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter shattered glass ceilings when he became the first openly gay Black man to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. His portrayal of the emcee Pray Tell in the FX series ‘Pose’ earned him universal acclaim for its emotional depth and vibrancy. He also holds a Tony Award for his dazzling performance as Lola in the Broadway musical ‘Kinky Boots’. Porter uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights while continuing to expand his career into film direction and music.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo solidified his status as a Hollywood heavyweight with a Primetime Emmy win for his guest role in the HBO series ‘Euphoria’. He delivered a powerful performance as a recovering addict who serves as a sponsor and mentor to the main character. Domingo has also received Academy Award and Tony Award nominations for his work in ‘Rustin’ and ‘The Scottsboro Boys’ respectively. His career spans playwrighting and directing which showcases his multifaceted artistry across stage and screen.

Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose captivated audiences and critics alike with her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of ‘West Side Story’. Her dynamic performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and made her the first openly queer woman of color to win an Oscar for acting. She brings a background in Broadway dance and acting to her film roles with an undeniable screen presence. DeBose continues to champion visibility for the Afro-Latina and LGBTQ+ communities through her diverse choice of projects.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is a powerhouse performer who is just one Oscar away from achieving EGOT status. She won a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a Daytime Emmy Award for her breakout role as Celie in the Broadway revival of ‘The Color Purple’. Her film career includes Oscar-nominated performances in ‘Harriet’ where she portrayed the legendary freedom fighter Harriet Tubman. Erivo identifies as queer and consistently chooses roles that highlight the resilience and complexity of women.

RuPaul

RuPaul Charles is the most awarded Black artist in Primetime Emmy history with a record-breaking number of wins for ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’. While best known as a host and producer, his acting credits include significant roles in films like ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ and the Netflix series ‘AJ and the Queen’. He pioneered mainstream visibility for drag culture and queer identity through his multimedia empire. His work has created a global platform that has launched the careers of hundreds of other LGBTQ+ performers.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba gained international fame and critical praise for her portrayal of Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in the Netflix series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She won two Primetime Emmy Awards for the role in both the Comedy and Drama categories which is a rare feat for the same character. Aduba later secured a third Emmy for her supporting role in the limited series ‘Mrs. America’. Her ability to bring humanity and nuance to complex characters has made her a standout talent in television.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash-Betts delivered a chilling and grounded performance in the Netflix limited series ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’. Her portrayal of Glenda Cleveland earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series. She has enjoyed a long career transitioning from comedy in ‘Reno 911!’ to dramatic acclaim in projects like ‘When They See Us’. Nash-Betts married her wife Jessica Betts in 2020 and has been a joyful advocate for love and self-acceptance.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is a comedy icon who has won a Primetime Emmy Award for her writing on ‘The Chris Rock Show’. As an actor, she has received multiple Emmy nominations for her guest roles in ‘Black-ish’ and ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’. She has been out as a lesbian since 2008 and remains one of the most visible Black LGBTQ+ comics in the industry. Her voice work and stand-up specials continue to garner awards and critical appreciation.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Moira Strand in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She first broke out as Poussey Washington in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ where she became a fan favorite. Wiley brings a quiet intensity and warmth to her characters that resonates deeply with viewers. She is married to writer Lauren Morelli and is a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ visibility in media.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah has conquered music, film, and television with a career spanning over three decades. She won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in the television movie ‘Life Support’. Her portrayal of blues singer Bessie Smith in ‘Bessie’ also earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. Latifah has long been a subtle but powerful figure in the community and was honored with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri experienced a meteoric rise with her role as the ambitious chef Sydney Adamu in the hit series ‘The Bear’. She swept the 2023 awards season by winning a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Edebiri began her career as a writer and stand-up comedian before proving her dramatic acting chops. She identifies as queer and brings a fresh and relatable energy to the modern television landscape.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made history as the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe Award. She took home the trophy for Best Actress in a TV Drama for her leading role as Blanca Evangelista in ‘Pose’. Her performance provided the emotional anchor for the series and highlighted the struggles and triumphs of the ballroom community. Rodriguez continues to break barriers with roles in major franchises and an emerging music career.

André De Shields

André De Shields is a theater legend who won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Hermes in ‘Hadestown’. His career on Broadway spans half a century and includes the original productions of ‘The Wiz’ and ‘Ain’t Misbehavin”. De Shields is an openly gay icon who refers to his late-career resurgence as a testament to perseverance. His charisma and distinctive style have made him a revered elder in the theatre community.

J. Harrison Ghee

J. Harrison Ghee became one of the first non-binary actors to win a Tony Award for acting in 2023. They took home the award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for their starring role in ‘Some Like It Hot’. Ghee brings exceptional vocal and dance talents to the stage while challenging traditional gender norms in casting. Their win marked a significant milestone for gender-expansive representation on Broadway.

Alex Newell

Alex Newell wowed audiences with their show-stopping performance as Lulu in the Broadway musical ‘Shucked’. They won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in the same historic ceremony that honored J. Harrison Ghee. Newell first gained fame on the television series ‘Glee’ as the transgender student Unique Adams. Their powerful voice and comedic timing have established them as a major force in musical theater.

Jerrod Carmichael

Jerrod Carmichael won a Primetime Emmy Award for Writing for a Variety Special for his intimate stand-up special ‘Rothaniel’. In the special he publicly came out as gay and explored the complexities of his identity and family relationships. He also starred in and directed the dark comedy film ‘On the Count of Three’ which premiered at Sundance. Carmichael is known for his introspective style and willingness to tackle difficult personal subjects.

Lena Waithe

Lena Waithe made history as the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. She acted in her winning ‘Master of None’ episode which was loosely based on her own coming-out experience. Waithe has since become a prolific creator and actor with roles in ‘Ready Player One’ and ‘Westworld’. She is a prominent lesbian figure in Hollywood who champions diverse storytelling through her production company.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe received the prestigious SeeHer Award at the Critics Choice Awards for her work advocating for accurate portrayals of women and girls. She delivered acclaimed acting performances in ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Hidden Figures’ which won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Monáe identifies as non-binary and pansexual and infuses her futuristic artistic vision into every project. Her role in ‘Glass Onion’ further demonstrated her range as a dramatic lead.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor for her role in ‘Dear White People’. She has since built an impressive filmography that includes the ‘Creed’ franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the queer superhero Valkyrie. Thompson consistently chooses roles that challenge stereotypes and explore complex identities. She is openly attracted to both men and women and advocates for intersectional representation in film.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her powerful lead performance in ‘The Hate U Give’. She has been in the public eye since childhood with roles in ‘The Hunger Games’ and continues to take on challenging dramatic work. Stenberg identifies as gay and non-binary and often speaks on issues of gender and sexuality. Her work consistently centers the experiences of young Black women and queer people.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa captured global attention as Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy ‘Sex Education’. His vibrant and vulnerable performance earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television. Gatwa has since taken on the iconic role of the Doctor in the long-running sci-fi series ‘Doctor Who’. He is an openly queer actor who brings immense charisma and energy to his groundbreaking roles.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer made history as the first Black woman to host the MTV Video Music Awards and won a Primetime Emmy for her short-form series ‘Turnt Up with the Taylors’. She has been a staple in the entertainment industry since childhood with a career that seamlessly blends acting and hosting. Palmer has been open about her fluid sexuality and refuses to be boxed into traditional labels. Her performance in ‘Nope’ earned her critical acclaim and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné is a television veteran who won multiple NAACP Image Awards for her starring role in the hit series ‘That’s So Raven’. She also received a Daytime Emmy nomination as a host on ‘The View’ during her tenure on the talk show. She publicly came out in 2013 and has since married her wife Miranda Maday. Raven continues to produce and star in family entertainment that influences new generations of viewers.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category for ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She later won a Daytime Emmy Award as the executive producer of the documentary ‘Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word’. Cox is a trailblazing advocate who has used her platform to educate the public on trans rights. Her acting career continues to expand with roles in major films and television dramas.

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope burst onto the scene with breakout performances that earned him nominations for a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy. He received the African American Film Critics Association Award for Best Breakout Performance for his role in the film ‘The Inspection’. In the film he played a young gay man joining the Marines which mirrored aspects of his own identity as an openly gay man. Pope represents a new generation of multi-talented artists excelling across all mediums.

Sharon D. Clarke

Sharon D. Clarke is a Titan of the British stage who has won three Laurence Olivier Awards during her distinguished career. She received the prestigious accolades for her roles in ‘The Amen Corner’, ‘Caroline, or Change’, and ‘Death of a Salesman’. Clarke identifies as lesbian and has been married to director Susie McKenna for over a decade. Her commanding stage presence and vocal power have made her one of the most respected actors in the UK.

Sasha Lane

Sasha Lane made a stunning film debut in Andrea Arnold’s ‘American Honey’ for which she was discovered on a beach during spring break. Her raw and naturalistic performance won her the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress. Lane identifies as gay and has since starred in high-profile projects like ‘Loki’ and ‘Conversations with Friends’. She brings a distinct edge and authenticity to independent and blockbuster films alike.

Kiersey Clemons

Kiersey Clemons won the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for her role as the lesbian drummer Diggy in the film ‘Dope’. She has continued to build a diverse resume with roles in ‘Hearts Beat Loud’ and as Iris West in ‘The Flash’. Clemons identifies as queer and often portrays characters that reflect her own fluid identity. Her work in both comedy and drama highlights her versatility as a young actor.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross won a Hollywood Critics Association TV Award for her role as Candy Ferocity in the groundbreaking series ‘Pose’. She is a trans rights advocate and CEO who transitioned into acting to tell authentic stories about the trans experience. Ross also starred in ‘American Horror Story’ which further showcased her dramatic range. Her visibility and talent have helped open doors for trans women of color in Hollywood.

Tituss Burgess

Tituss Burgess is a fan-favorite actor who received five consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for his role as Titus Andromedon in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. He won the Gold Derby TV Award for Best Comedy Supporting Actor for the same role. Burgess is a Broadway veteran with a powerhouse voice who has appeared in ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’. He lives openly as a gay man and infuses his characters with wit and musical brilliance.

Which of these talented winners is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments.