The Greatest Non-White Actresses in Hollywood

Hollywood has been shaped by performers from many cultures who bring range, craft, and box office power. Their careers span intimate dramas and global franchises and they have carried films, anchored prestige television, and earned the industry’s highest honors. This list highlights actresses whose work has shifted what gets made and who gets to lead. Each entry notes signature roles, awards, and milestones that show exactly how they moved the needle.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is one of the few performers with an Oscar, an Emmy, and two Tony Awards. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ‘Fences’ and earned multiple nominations for films like ‘Doubt’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. On television she led ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ and made history as the first Black woman to win Lead Actress in a Drama at the Emmys. She is also a producer through JuVee Productions which develops inclusive stories across film and television.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh began in Hong Kong cinema and became a global star with ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and the James Bond film ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. Yeoh has worked across languages and continents and later joined the ‘Star Trek’ universe with ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. She continues to lead international co productions and supports Asian representation in mainstream projects.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ’12 Years a Slave’. She has starred in ‘Black Panther’ and the horror hit ‘Us’ while also performing in ‘Eclipsed’ on Broadway which earned a Tony nomination. Nyong’o publishes children’s literature and narrates documentaries and audiobooks. She balances franchise work with independent films and global philanthropy focused on women and wildlife.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett earned Academy Award nominations for ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She is a Golden Globe winner and a longtime lead of ‘9-1-1’ on television. Bassett’s filmography includes biographical roles and action hits and she has served as a producer on several projects. She is widely recognized for elevating complex portraits of real and fictional Black women.

Regina King

Regina King won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. She also won multiple Emmys for ‘American Crime’ and ‘Watchmen’. King directed ‘One Night in Miami’ which earned widespread awards attention and cemented her status behind the camera. She began as a teen actor and built a career that spans acting, directing, and producing across major studios and streamers.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ‘The Help’. She earned further nominations for ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Shape of Water’. Spencer leads and produces series like ‘Truth Be Told’ and voices characters in animated features. She is known for championing inclusive hiring and mentoring emerging filmmakers through her production banner.

Gemma Chan

Gemma Chan gained global visibility with ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ‘Eternals’. She has also appeared in ‘Captain Marvel’ and the series ‘Humans’. Chan launched a production company focused on underrepresented voices and historical stories from Asian communities. She serves as an ambassador for refugee and human rights organizations alongside a growing slate of film leads.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh earned a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations for ‘Killing Eve’. She first broke through with long running success on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Oh has voiced roles in major animated films and led the Netflix series ‘The Chair’. She advocates for Asian representation and has hosted the Golden Globes while continuing to headline international projects.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas won the Miss World title before building a top career in Indian cinema and then leading the ABC series ‘Quantico’. She has produced regional language films through Purple Pebble Pictures. Chopra Jonas appears in global features like ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ and bilingual projects for streaming platforms. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and invests in technology and wellness startups.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Frida’. She has starred in films such as ‘Desperado’, ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’, and ‘Eternals’. Hayek co founded Ventanarosa which produced ‘Ugly Betty’ and other projects with Latina leads. She is active in humanitarian work focused on domestic violence and displacement while remaining a bankable presence in both comedy and drama.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana leads two of the biggest film franchises with ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She also fronted ‘Star Trek’ and action hits that pushed global box office totals into record territory. Saldana founded a media company developing stories for diverse audiences across film and digital platforms. She consistently alternates between large scale tentpoles and smaller character driven films.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera earned critical acclaim as the lead of ‘Ugly Betty’ and won the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for that role. She delivered a standout performance in ‘Barbie’ and has produced the series ‘Gentefied’. Ferrera directs features and television and advocates for civic participation through national campaigns. She uses her platform to expand opportunities for Latina creatives and entrepreneurs.

Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio became the first Indigenous Mexican woman nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Roma’. She later appeared in international series and short films while serving as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Aparicio promotes Indigenous rights and access to education and digital tools. She remains a symbol of expanded casting practices across Spanish language and Hollywood productions.

Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and won major critics prizes for the same performance. Gladstone has worked in independent films like ‘Certain Women’ and in series that center Native stories. They are active in language revitalization and Indigenous education initiatives. Their rise has encouraged studios to consult with tribal communities on production.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira plays Okoye in ‘Black Panther’ and is a central figure in ‘The Walking Dead’. She is also an award winning playwright known for ‘Eclipsed’ which reached Broadway with an all Black female creative team. Gurira serves as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and co founded an organization supporting women and girls in Africa. She continues to write and produce while leading action franchises.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright gained international recognition as Shuri in ‘Black Panther’ and later headlined ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She has appeared in ‘Black Mirror’ and British independent features. Wright runs a production company that develops faith based and socially conscious stories. She supports programs for young creatives in the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae created and starred in ‘Insecure’ which earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. She built a business portfolio with Hoorae Media that produces film, television, and audio projects. Rae appears in studio comedies and animation while launching initiatives for women and creators of color. She invests in startups and community ventures in South Los Angeles.

Shohreh Aghdashloo

Shohreh Aghdashloo earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘House of Sand and Fog’. She later became a fan favorite on ‘The Expanse’ and worked in films like ‘The Nativity Story’. Aghdashloo has a distinctive voice acting career across games and animation. She is recognized for bringing Middle Eastern characters to mainstream science fiction and drama with authority and depth.

Golshifteh Farahani

Golshifteh Farahani transitioned from Iranian cinema to international projects including ‘Paterson’ and the action film ‘Extraction’. She performs in multiple languages and contributes music to select projects. Farahani serves as a cultural ambassador for Iranian artists in exile and participates in global film festivals. Her choices demonstrate a path for artists navigating censorship and international co production.

Constance Wu

Constance Wu led ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ the first American network sitcom in decades to focus on an Asian American family. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. Wu also starred in ‘Hustlers’ and published a memoir that discusses mental health and industry pressures. She advocates for better on screen representation and safer working conditions for performers.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Monster’s Ball’ and has led franchises like ‘X-Men’ and ‘John Wick’. She produced and starred in ‘Bruised’ which also marked her feature directing debut. Berry’s filmography includes dramas, thrillers, and action that cross domestic and international markets. She continues to sign first look deals and develop projects for streamers and studios.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and won a Golden Globe for ‘Empire’. She headlined ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘Hustle & Flow’ while also producing films and series. Henson founded a foundation focused on mental health resources in Black communities. She publishes books and partners with major brands to expand representation.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington became a household name with ‘Scandal’ and received multiple Emmy nominations for the role. She produced ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ and starred in ‘Django Unchained’ and ‘Ray’. Washington directs television episodes and runs a production company centered on inclusive stories. She is active in civic organizations and industry groups that support creative workers.

Zendaya

Zendaya won multiple Emmys for ‘Euphoria’ and starred in box office hits like ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Dune’. She executive produces episodes of her series and shapes music and fashion partnerships tied to her releases. Zendaya started on Disney Channel and transitioned into adult roles with a clear focus on creative control. She collaborates with filmmakers across independent and studio projects.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson appears in the ‘Creed’ films and the Marvel Cinematic Universe with ‘Thor’. She led ‘Sorry to Bother You’ and ‘Sylvie’s Love’ and serves as a producer on select titles. Thompson launched a production banner to champion underrepresented voices. She participates in initiatives that mentor young filmmakers and advocates for inclusive sets.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw broke through with ‘Belle’ and later led ‘Beyond the Lights’. She appears in ‘The Morning Show’ and Marvel’s ‘Loki’. Mbatha-Raw has stage credits in the West End and Broadway and supports arts education charities. She chooses projects that move between period pieces, science fiction, and contemporary drama.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Moonlight’ and plays Moneypenny in the James Bond series. She has starred in ’28 Days Later’ and ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’. Harris was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama. She continues to balance prestige roles with global franchises.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton won the Emmy for ‘Westworld’ and has appeared in ‘Crash’ and ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. She supports anti trafficking and education charities in the United Kingdom and Africa. Newton works across television, film, and limited series with recurring producing roles. She often joins international co productions that shoot in multiple countries.

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Loving’ and starred in ‘Preacher’ and ‘Passing’. She has extensive stage work and won major theater awards in London and New York. Negga is known for selecting roles that explore identity and history through intimate storytelling. She is active in Irish and Ethiopian cultural initiatives.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor received an Academy Award nomination for ‘King Richard’ and has won multiple critics prizes. She has led limited series such as ‘When They See Us’ and appeared in ‘Lovecraft Country’. Ellis-Taylor teaches masterclasses and supports Southern arts organizations. She alternates between studio features and independent films with strong ensemble casts.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer led ‘Nope’ and voiced roles in animation while hosting and producing television projects. She won an Emmy for an interactive series and launched a digital network for creators. Palmer began as a child actor in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ and maintained a steady transition to adult leads. She releases music and partners with brands on creator economy ventures.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe starred in ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Moonlight’, and ‘Glass Onion’. They are a recording artist who brings original music to select film campaigns. Monáe authors books and supports initiatives for LGBTQIA communities in the arts. They develop film and television projects through their creative company.

Hong Chau

Hong Chau earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for ‘Downsizing’ and ‘The Whale’. She appears in ‘The Menu’ and ‘Watchmen’ and works frequently in limited series. Chau began with strong supporting roles and built a portfolio across genres. She often collaborates with auteur directors on contained, character driven stories.

Awkwafina

Awkwafina won a Golden Globe for ‘The Farewell’ and joined franchises like ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ and ‘Jumanji’. She created and starred in ‘Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens’. Awkwafina records music and hosts specials that broaden her audience. She signs development deals that include writing and producing responsibilities.

Stephanie Hsu

Stephanie Hsu earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. She has Broadway credits and appears in series like ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’. Hsu works in both comedy and drama and continues to add studio and indie titles. She participates in mentorship programs for Asian American performers.

Kelly Marie Tran

Kelly Marie Tran joined ‘Star Wars’ with ‘The Last Jedi’ and voiced the lead in ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’. She produces documentaries and participates in animation projects. Tran supports anti harassment initiatives for artists and works with advocacy groups. She speaks at festivals about representation and creative resilience.

Freida Pinto

Freida Pinto broke out with ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and moved into international productions like ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’. She produces series that spotlight South Asian stories. Pinto serves as an ambassador for organizations focused on girls’ education. She splits time between independent features and mainstream releases.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria rose to prominence with ‘Desperate Housewives’ and has directed episodes across major networks and streamers. She made her feature directing debut with ‘Flamin’ Hot’. Longoria founded a production company centered on Latino narratives and operates philanthropic foundations. She advocates for small business development and voter participation.

Eiza González

Eiza González transitioned from Mexican television to Hollywood with roles in ‘Baby Driver’, ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’, and ‘Ambulance’. She signs action and sci fi leads while also taking prestige supporting roles. González collaborates with Latin American filmmakers and joins global brand campaigns. She continues to expand into producing across film and television.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson appears in ‘Sin City’, ‘Rent’, and the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Ahsoka’. She co founded a voting initiative and supports youth arts programs. Dawson works in animation, live action television, and feature films with consistent franchise involvement. She partners with fashion and tech companies to incubate creator led projects.

Share your picks and the performances you think belong on this list in the comments.