Top Actresses of African Descent

From Hollywood spotlights to thriving film industries across Africa and the diaspora, actresses of African descent continue to shape global storytelling with range, craft, and cultural impact. Their work spans prestige dramas, blockbuster franchises, groundbreaking series, and acclaimed stage performances. Many also create, produce, and advocate, widening opportunities on both sides of the camera. Here are twenty performers whose credits and achievements speak for themselves.

Viola Davis

An EGOT recipient, Viola Davis has led acclaimed projects across film, television, and theater. She headlined the long-running series ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ and delivered awards-winning performances in films like ‘Fences’ and ‘The Woman King’. Davis co-founded JuVee Productions to develop inclusive stories and nurture underrepresented talent. She is also the author of a bestselling memoir that chronicles her path from Rhode Island to international acclaim.

Lupita Nyong’o

Born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, Lupita Nyong’o earned major awards early in her film career for ’12 Years a Slave’. She plays Nakia in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ films and led the high-grossing thriller ‘Us’. Nyong’o is active in global arts education and wildlife conservation campaigns. She also authored a bestselling children’s book that celebrates self-esteem and representation.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is known for transformative biographical roles and franchise blockbusters. Her credits include ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, the ‘Black Panther’ films, and the network drama ‘9-1-1’. Bassett has received top industry honors and multiple lifetime achievement recognitions. She frequently produces and narrates documentaries that highlight Black history and culture.

Regina King

Regina King is an Academy Award–winning actor and an acclaimed director. Her screen roles span ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, ‘Watchmen’, and ‘The Leftovers’. King directed ‘One Night in Miami…’ and episodes of series including ‘Scandal’ and ‘Insecure’. She also champions inclusion initiatives that support women and creators of color.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson earned major acclaim for ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and led the hit series ‘Empire’. She starred in ‘Hidden Figures’, bringing the story of NASA mathematicians to a wide audience. Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to expand access to mental health services in underserved communities. She is also a producer and author focused on empowerment and wellness.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington became a global television icon with ‘Scandal’ and later starred in ‘Little Fires Everywhere’. Her film work includes ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Ray’, and ‘The School for Good and Evil’. Washington produces through Simpson Street, backing character-driven stories across formats. She is active in civic engagement campaigns that promote voter participation and arts education.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira is both an actor and an award-winning playwright of Zimbabwean heritage. She portrayed Okoye in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ films and Michonne in ‘The Walking Dead’. Her play ‘Eclipsed’ brought a cast of African women to Broadway and earned multiple honors. Gurira is a UN Goodwill Ambassador and co-founder of organizations supporting girls’ education and health in Africa.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright broke out globally as Shuri in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ franchise. She has also earned critical notice for anthology work like ‘Black Mirror’ and for roles in ‘Small Axe’. Wright founded 3.16 Productions to develop meaningful stories with diverse creatives. She regularly mentors young talent and collaborates with initiatives in Guyana and the UK.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel created and starred in the groundbreaking series ‘I May Destroy You’, earning top industry awards. She first gained attention with the comedy ‘Chewing Gum’ and later joined the cast of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Coel is known for advocating creator ownership and transparent contracts in television. She publishes poetry and lectures widely on creative autonomy and representation.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s acclaimed performances include ‘Belle’ and ‘Beyond the Lights’. She appears in major series such as ‘Loki’ and ‘Surface’, balancing film and television work in the US and UK. Mbatha-Raw is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN’s refugee agency. She supports arts programs that expand access for young performers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris has starred in independent dramas and large-scale franchises. Her credits include ‘Moonlight’, the James Bond films ‘Skyfall’ and ‘No Time to Die’, and ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’. Harris was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama. She also backs literacy and environmental initiatives in the UK and the Caribbean.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner who transitioned from the stage to leading film roles. She portrayed abolitionist Harriet Tubman in ‘Harriet’ and appeared in ‘Widows’ and ‘Chaos Walking’. Erivo records original music and often contributes to film soundtracks. She also stars in the new screen adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’ and develops projects as a producer.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba rose to prominence with ‘Orange Is the New Black’, earning multiple major awards. She has since led dramatic series such as ‘Mrs. America’ and ‘Painkiller’. Aduba is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and immigrant communities. She works with organizations that provide arts education and scholarship support.

Thuso Mbedu

South African actor Thuso Mbedu earned international recognition for ‘The Underground Railroad’. She co-starred in ‘The Woman King’, continuing a run of historically grounded and action-driven roles. Mbedu trained in Johannesburg and has won top television awards on the African continent. She partners with local programs that mentor young performers and filmmakers.

Jodie Turner-Smith

Jodie Turner-Smith drew wide attention with the feature ‘Queen & Slim’. She has taken on bold television parts including the title role in ‘Anne Boleyn’. Turner-Smith frequently works in fashion and film, bridging red-carpet visibility with auteur projects. She participates in campaigns that uplift Black maternal health and women’s wellness.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña anchors several of the highest-grossing franchises in cinema. Her credits include ‘Avatar’, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, and ‘Star Trek’. Saldaña founded a digital media company focused on Latinx and multicultural storytelling. She supports STEM outreach and arts programs for young people across the Americas.

Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve Nnaji is a pioneer of Nollywood with hundreds of credits. She produced, directed, and starred in ‘Lionheart’, which reached a global streaming audience. Nnaji has received top African film awards and expanded into fashion and philanthropy. She is widely credited with helping professionalize and internationalize Nigeria’s film industry.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is a Nollywood trailblazer known for hits like ‘Ije’ and ‘Last Flight to Abuja’. She parlayed screen success into music, reality television, and charity work. Omotola is recognized for humanitarian advocacy with organizations focused on youth and maternal health. She has been honored among influential figures shaping culture in Africa.

Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo’s filmography includes ‘Hotel Rwanda’, ‘Ratched’, and recurring roles in ‘Doctor Who’. She is a celebrated stage actor with major awards for West End and Broadway work. Okonedo frequently alternates between screen and theater, bringing classical training to contemporary roles. She also narrates audiobooks and documentaries that highlight African and diaspora histories.

Yvonne Orji

Yvonne Orji is a Nigerian American actor and comedian best known for ‘Insecure’. She tours internationally as a stand-up performer and has a comedy special that explores identity and faith. Orji authored a bestselling book on personal growth and creative resilience. She supports entrepreneurship and education initiatives in Nigeria and the United States.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Monster’s Ball’. She led franchise entries like ‘X-Men’ and headlined action projects including ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’. Berry has produced films and directed the MMA drama ‘Bruised’. She is also involved in advocacy work focused on health awareness and domestic violence support.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer won an Academy Award for ‘The Help’ and later earned nominations for ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Shape of Water’. She has led television projects such as ‘Truth Be Told’ and ‘Self Made’. Spencer founded a production company to champion inclusive stories. She narrates documentaries and audiobooks that highlight historical and contemporary achievements.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard’s career spans acclaimed film roles in ‘Clemency’ and ’12 Years a Slave’ and television work such as ‘Luke Cage’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’. She has received multiple Emmy Awards across drama and limited-series categories. Woodard produces independent films and mentors emerging artists through industry programs. She is active in political engagement and arts education initiatives.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor earned major awards recognition for ‘King Richard’ and delivered standout performances in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’. She trained in theater and regularly returns to stage work between screen projects. Ellis-Taylor appears in historical dramas and contemporary thrillers with equal frequency. She also supports literacy and civic participation campaigns.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer moved from early success in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ to leading roles in ‘Nope’ and the series ‘Scream Queens’. She hosted ‘Password’ and launched digital ventures that showcase new talent. Palmer records music and voices animated characters in family franchises. She advocates for workplace equity and media literacy for young audiences.

Zendaya

Zendaya earned top industry honors for her lead role in ‘Euphoria’. Her film credits include ‘Dune’, ‘Spider-Man’, and auteur-driven dramas. Zendaya produces projects that foreground young creators and contemporary issues. She works with fashion and humanitarian partners to support education and disaster relief.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae created and starred in ‘Insecure’, building a production pipeline for diverse storytellers through Hoorae. Her film roles include ‘The Photograph’ and ‘Barbie’. Rae develops series across comedy, drama, and reality formats while backing music and podcast ventures. She collaborates with programs that provide funding and training for underrepresented creators.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris broke out with ‘Chi-Raq’ and expanded her profile through ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. She appears in the Marvel universe with ‘WandaVision’ and ‘The Marvels’. Parris is known for switching between independent dramas and large-scale projects. She supports initiatives that connect young women to film and media careers.

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Fishback earned acclaim for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and led the series ‘The Deuce’ and ‘Swarm’. She starred in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’, expanding into franchise storytelling. Fishback began as a spoken-word artist and incorporates writing into her development work. She mentors youth through arts education programs in New York.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid’s credits include ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, ‘Euphoria’, and ‘The Last of Us’. She has produced short-form projects and launched a scholarship initiative for students. Reid frequently collaborates with directors on genre and coming-of-age stories. She participates in campaigns that promote STEM and arts opportunities for girls.

Nia Long

Nia Long is known for classics like ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and the ‘Best Man’ films, along with television series including ‘Third Watch’ and ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. She continues to lead thrillers and dramas across streaming platforms. Long produces projects that center Black families and professional women. She is active in mentorship programs for actors transitioning from youth roles to adult careers.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan earned recognition for ‘Love & Basketball’ and has appeared in titles such as ‘The Best Man’ and ‘Alien vs. Predator’. She directed the feature ‘On the Come Up’. Lathan works in animation voice roles and stage productions between screen projects. She supports literacy efforts and arts education in urban communities.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union starred in ‘Bring It On’, ‘Being Mary Jane’, and the thriller ‘Breaking’. She co-founded a production company focused on inclusive family and genre stories. Union is a bestselling author and a vocal advocate for survivors’ rights and LGBTQ+ youth. She collaborates with organizations that expand access to healthcare and education.

Wunmi Mosaku

Wunmi Mosaku won a major television award for ‘Damilola, Our Loved Boy’ and gained international attention with ‘His House’. Her television work includes ‘Lovecraft Country’, ‘Loki’, and ‘We Own This City’. Mosaku trained at a leading UK drama school and continues to perform on stage. She supports initiatives that broaden entry points into British film and television.

Adepero Oduye

Adepero Oduye broke out in ‘Pariah’ and appeared in ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘Widows’, and ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. She writes and directs short films that screen at global festivals. Oduye participates in workshops that develop stories from underrepresented communities. She frequently collaborates with independent filmmakers on character-driven projects.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch headlined the rebooted ‘Matilda the Musical’ and joined the James Bond franchise in ‘No Time to Die’. She appeared in ‘The Woman King’ and ‘Captain Marvel’. Lynch has theater roots in the UK and supports youth acting programs. She speaks publicly about training and preparation for action-heavy roles.

Florence Kasumba

Florence Kasumba is known worldwide for the Dora Milaje role in ‘Black Panther’ and appearances in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She works across European television and theater, including German-language productions. Kasumba has notable voice roles in animation and games. She promotes cross-cultural collaboration between African and European creatives.

Nomzamo Mbatha

Nomzamo Mbatha rose to prominence in South Africa with ‘Isibaya’ and expanded internationally with ‘Coming 2 America’. She serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on refugee relief. Mbatha founded a scholarship fund supporting South African students. She produces projects that highlight African stories for global audiences.

Sophie Wilde

Sophie Wilde gained global attention with the horror hit ‘Talk to Me’. She has appeared in Australian television dramas and limited series across streaming platforms. Wilde trained at a leading performing arts institution in Sydney. She is branching into international co-productions that showcase diaspora narratives.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz has starred in ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘High Fidelity’, and ‘The Batman’. She produces film and television projects through her own banner. Kravitz records music and collaborates with fashion houses on creative campaigns. She is developing directing work after a debut feature announcement attracted significant industry interest.

Share your favorite performances and any names you think should be added in the comments.