The film industry is a mixture of different people from different ethnicities, regions, and cultures. They do not just represent their culture but rather their entire community. This representation is crucial because it brings the community at large a sense of identity and respect. Through the years, several African-American actors have portrayed some of the most beautiful characters in the industry.
Not only did they bring pride to their culture, but they also shed light on different issues they deal with daily. Racism has always been an issue in several nations. Hollywood offered few opportunities for black actors. But they persisted in their efforts to overcome this obstacle and did not give up.
Several black actors were only cast in minor or supporting roles. However, a few actors paved the way and inspired other actors like them to support themselves in the industry through their outstanding performances. These actors broke stereotypes and received praise for their work. Despite putting in a lot of effort in the film industry, the majority of them are not well known to the audience.
This list honors outstanding African-American actors who put forth a lot of effort to break into the business and never looked back after establishing themselves in movies. The list celebrates all the performers who have distinguished themselves in the film industry and is not presented in any specific order.
Also Read: 61 Best Movies of All Time to Watch on Netflix
1. Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington studied at Fordham University to pursue his career in journalism. He enrolled in student drama productions and slowly discovered his interest in becoming an actor.
After completing his graduation, he joined the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. After one year, he left the American Conservatory Theater to become an actor. He received his first payment as an actor for acting in a play called ‘Wings of the Morning”, which is a historical play.
Denzel was a talented actor, and he worked in several television productions. In 1981, Denzel Washington appeared on the big screen for a film called “Carbon Copy”. He worked on a series called St. Elsewhere in the role of a doctor for six years.
Denzel Washington’s first breakthrough was in a film called Glory, released in 1989. He received an Oscar award for his role as Private Trip in the film. He worked in several films like Malcolm X, Much Ado About Nothing, Philadelphia, The Hurricane, etc. He also worked on The Equalizer movie sequel.
Denzel Washington received two academy awards for Best Supporting Actor for “Cry Freedom” and “Glory” movies. He is referred to as the actor who reconfigured the concept of classic stardom. He received two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Silver Bears throughout his career.
- Date of Birth: December 28, 1954
- Place of Birth: Mount Vernon, New York, USA
- Height: 1.85 m
- Debut Year: 1977
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Wilma
Also, read 30 Best Movies of Denzel Washington That You Should Watch in 2022
2. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is a man who needs no introduction. He is famous for his deep voice and marvelous acting. His mother worked as a teacher, and his father was a barber. He joined the US Air Force as a mechanic and worked there for several years.
Before joining the Air Force, Morgan studied at the Los Angeles City College. He participated in a musical called ” Hello Dolly”, which is an all-African-American production. He won Clarence Derwent and Drama Desk awards for his work on stage.
Morgan Freeman returned to Broadway in 2008 and worked on several theatrical plays and dramas. Initially, he appeared on TV screens through “Easy Reader”, “Mel Mounds”, and “Count Dracula” show. He worked in several supporting roles in his acting career. He acted as a lead actor in the film, “Street Smart”.
Later, he worked in various roles and different genres. He also lent his voice to various projects like The Long Way Home, March of the Penguins, The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, and Our Universe.
Morgan Freeman is also a political enthusiast and is seen endorsing several government activities. He won four Academy Awards in the Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor category.
- Date of Birth: June 1, 1937
- Place of Birth: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Height: 1.88 m
- Debut Year: 1964
- Debut Movie/ TV series: The Pawnbroker
3. Cuba Gooding Jr
Cuba Gooding Jr. is familiar to the movie audience with his role in the film Boyz N the Hood. Both his parents were singers. He attended four different high schools and displayed exceptional leadership qualities in all of them. He even met his partner, Sara Kapfer, in high school.
Before he started acting, Cuba learned Japanese martial arts. He played guest roles in Hill Street Blues and MacGyver. His first breakthrough came from the film Boyz N the Hood. After that film, he acted in several other films in guest roles. He is well-known for his role in Cameron Crowe’s film Jerry Maguire. He acted alongside Tom Cruise.
Cuba received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the film Jerry Maguire. He became a superstar after that film. Radio is known to be one of his best movies. He worked with various Hollywood stars and created an identity of his own. His other works include Gladiator, Instinct, A Few Good Men, and several others.
- Date of Birth: January 2, 1968
- Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York, USA
- Height: 1.78 m
- Debut Year: 1991
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Boyz N The Hood
4. Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier was the first African-American to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor. He won this award for Best Actor in Lilies of the Field. He is an actor, director, and producer. He is one of the people who worked on breaking the color barrier in the US film industry.
Sidney also stood up against racism in his movies. He is also known to reject roles that include racial discrimination and stereotypes linked to it. He served in the US Army for a short period during World War II in the medical unit.
After serving in the army, he applied to the American Negro Theatre to pursue his interest in acting. He was not encouraged there due to his accent. He learned the English language by listening to the radio and news, and he applied to the theatre once again. He was given admission this time, and he started his acting career.
Sidney Poitier’s first appearance was in the movie No Way Out as a black doctor. He is famous for his roles in No Way Out, Cry, The Beloved Country, The Defiant Ones, etc. He also directed films like Ghost Dad, Stir Crazy, and Let’s Do It Again.
- Date of Birth: February 20, 1927
- Place of Birth: Miami, Florida, USA
- Height: 1.89 m
- Debut Year: 1947
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Sepia Cinderella
5. Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel Leroy Jackson is one of the best actors in the industry. He is an actor and a producer as well. He acted in more than 100 films and is familiar to the audience as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He worked as Jedi Master Mace Windu in the Star Wars universe.
Samuel started to stammer when he was young. Despite that, he became a very successful actor and voice artist. He came from a middle-class family, and during his college days, he actively participated in the black student movement. He joined an acting troupe just as a hobby, but after realizing how much he enjoyed it, he switched his major.
Samuel joined the Negro Ensemble company along with Morgan Freeman during the 1970s. In addition, he worked as a social worker after his college enrollment was suspended for two years due to his criminal history. He always fought for black rights and actively participated in black movements.
Samuel L. Jackson worked on movies like Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, and Quentin Tarantino, which brought him immense stardom. As a famous artist, he also gave his voice to several movies. For his contribution to films, he received the Academy Honorary Award in 2022.
- Date of Birth: December 21, 1948
- Place of Birth: Washington, D.C, USA
- Height: 1.89 m
- Debut Year: 1972
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Together For Days
6. Will Smith
Willard Carroll Smith, also known as Will Smith, is an actor, producer, songwriter, and comedian. He is also a rapper and started rapping at the age of 12. He is also known as Fresh Prince, which is his rap name. Many people admire him for his many talents and appreciate him.
Will Smith portrayed a few of the finest roles in Hollywood. One of the entertainment channels in Hollywood also called him the most powerful actor. He initially started his career as a rapper, and after gaining fame, he started as a television artist. After that, he started working in films.
Will received enormous fame in films and is one of the actors to have collected $100 million for all of his eight consecutive films. He was always at the top of the list and was a millionaire by the age of 20. He also has a record in the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three premieres in just one day.
Will Smith acted in films like I Am Legend and Hancock. He gained a lot of fame for his role in “The Pursuit of Happyness”. He acted with his son, Jaden, in this film. He was also listed as one of the “Richest 40” in Fortune Magazine. He won two Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards in his career.
- Date of Birth: September 25, 1968
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Height: 1.87 m
- Debut Year: 1992
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Where The Day Takes You
Also, read 40 Best Sci-Fi Films Like Will Smith’s ‘I Am Legend
7. James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is one of the finest and most versatile American actors. He is also regarded as the greatest actors in Hollywood. Initially, he started attending acting classes to control his stutter.
Due to his childhood trauma, James lost his speech for almost one year. Later, it became his identity and started acting in Broadway plays and then films. He also served in the Army for a brief period. He started acting in films and made his debut with Dr Strangelove.
Initially, James worked in films like Conan the Barbarian, Patriot Games, A family thing, etc. He narrated several films and is famous for lending his deep voice to Darth Vader in the Star Wars film. He is also the voice behind Mufasa in The Lion King. He prospered as a television artist and also played several roles in films and theatre.
James Earl Jones received two Primetime Emmy and Tony Awards. He was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Academy Award. He was defined as a Disney legend, and there is also a theatre named after him.
- Date of Birth: January 17, 1931
- Place of Birth: Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA
- Height: 1.87m
- Debut Year: 1952
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Guiding Light
Also, read 80 Most Beautiful Celebrities of All Time
8. Forest Whitaker
Forest Steven Whitaker is an actor and director. He played versatile and strong roles in television and films. He was a football player during high school and also received a football scholarship. He studied at the University of Southern California and started pursuing a career in acting and music.
Forest Whitaker portrayed his first role as a comedian in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He worked on several TV shows like Cagney and Lacey, Hill Street Blues, etc. His famous movies include Arrival, The Last King of Scotland, Platoon, and Criminal Minds.
Forest also portrayed the role of Saw Gerrera in Rogue One, a Star Wars spinoff show, and the role of Zuri in the Black Panther movies. He also worked as a director for the films, First Daughter, Black Jack, Hope Floats, etc. He received an Oscar for Best Actor in The Last King of Scotland.
- Date of Birth: July 15, 1961
- Place of Birth: Longview, Texas, USA
- Height: 1.88 m
- Debut Year: 1982
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Making The Grade
9. Bill Cosby
William Henry Cosby is an actor, producer, and comedian. He played several roles in support of black people and their rights. He had a positive impact by playing such positive black roles.
Bill dropped out of high school and joined the US Navy for a while. He also received an athletic scholarship at Temple University. He dropped out of college again and started working at a club to entertain people.
Bill started working as a comedian and performed several shows all around the country. He was featured in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He acted in the Espionage series and later started the Bill Cosby show. He worked on several commercials and films and won eight Grammy awards. He is one of the people who had a positive impact on reducing racial issues and stereotypes.
- Date of Birth: July 12, 1937
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 1966
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theater
10. Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan Murphy is among the most celebrated African-American actors. He is an actor, singer, impersonator, and comedian. Initially, he started his career as a comedian. He worked in New York as a stand-up comedian when he was just 19 years old.
Eddie began his acting career in the film 48 Hours. It was a hit and got him more opportunities in the film industry. His films, The Golden Child, Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop, received massive success. So he stopped working on Saturday Night Live, which he previously worked on.
Eddie was featured in a documentary called Eddie Murphy Raw. The audience showered him with praise after watching this documentary. He starred in the comedy film Coming to America, in which he played four different roles. He also directed Harlem Nights and acted in it.
Later, he acted as Dr. Dolittle and gained success. He also lent his voice to Mushu in Mulan and the donkey in Shrek. He worked on several films like Imagine That, Tower Heist, Dream Girls, etc. He came back to Saturday Night Live (SNL) again in 2019. He got an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and an Emmy for being a host on SNL.
- Date of Birth: April 3, 1961
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Height: 1.78 m
- Debut Year: 1982
- Debut Movie/ TV series: 49 Hrs.
Also, read Facts About Eddie Murphy You May Not Know
11. Terrence Howard
Terrence Dashon Howard is an American actor and producer. He has also succeeded in rapping and singing. He played the role of Jackie Jackson in The Jacksons and started working in the entertainment industry. His first big success came through the film Mr. Holland’s Opus.
Terrence worked in the television industry as well as the movie industry. According to Howard, he discovers something about himself through the roles he plays. He was cast as Rhodes in Iron Man but was replaced later. His well-known roles include Crash, Four Brothers, Ray, etc. He won several awards for his acting. He quit acting and announced his retirement in 2022.
- Date of Birth: March 11, 1969
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Height: 1.84 m
- Debut Year: 1995
- Debut Movie/ TV series: The O.J Simpson Story
Also, read Terrence Howard’s Net Worth: The Triumph Actor’s Earnings & Personal Life
12. Clifton Powell
Clifton Powell is an American actor and producer. He played several supporting roles. He acted in more than 100 films. He also acted in television shows. He is very famous for playing the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in a television film called Selma.
Clifton’s roles in Dead Presidents, Rush Hour, Ray, and Why Do Fools Fall in Love brought him fame in Hollywood. He also worked on television shows like Roc, South Central, and Army Wives. He also voiced a character called Big Smoke in the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas game.
- Date of Birth: March 16, 1956
- Place of Birth: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Height: 1.8 m
- Debut Year: 1981
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Ephraim McDowell’s Kentucky Ride
13. Laurence Fishburne
Laurence John Fishburne III is known for his acting in the Matrix series as Morpheus. He debuted as an actor in a play and continued acting at ABC Theater. Later, he got the opportunity to play a supporting role in Apocalypse Now. He started his career in television and theatre.
Laurence continued to get opportunities in films and worked in famous films like Quicksilver, Red Heat, and School Daze. He played the role of an African-American student. He also worked as a screenwriter and director for Once in the Life. He also acted in Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. His latest work is a sitcom called Black-ish. He was cast as Nelson Mandela in Madiba. He won the Emmy award three times.
- Date of Birth: July 30, 1961
- Place of Birth: Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 1972
- Debut Movie/ TV series: If You Give A Dance, You Gotta Pay The Band.
14. Harry Belafonte
Harold George Belafonte, also known as Harry Belafonte, is a multi-talented person. He is a singer and actor by profession. He produced several films, like The Affair, Beat Street, The Angel Levine, etc.
Harold was an activist and actively participated in movements. He supported the civil rights movement and worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He was appointed as the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He started his career by studying folk music. He has several hit songs and owns a music publishing studio.
Harold won a Tony for his debut in Anderson’s Almanack, a musical. He acted in films like Island in the Sun, Kansas City, Bobby, etc. He stopped acting for a while and started producing films. He became the first African-American to produce television shows. He also worked on his music albums during that period. He won a Grammy for best folk performance. He died on April 25, 2023.
- Date of Birth: March 1, 1927
- Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
- Height: 1.85 m
- Debut Year: 1953
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Bright Road
Also, read Harry Belafonte Controversy: Remembering The Deceased Singer
15. Danny Glover
Danny Glover is famous for his role as a detective in the Lethal Weapon series. He produced a couple of films in addition to acting. He had been interested in acting since the beginning and was trained at the Black Actors Workshop of the American Conservatory Theater.
Danny spent some time working on stage plays before making his acting debut in a supporting role in a film. He also worked on television shows. He is a versatile actor and has portrayed villainous roles. He played negative roles and was appreciated by the audience for his uniqueness.
Danny Glover’s big break in his career came from the movie Lethal Weapon. He also acted as Nelson Mandela in a TV show called Mandela. His notable roles include Predator 2, Dreamgirls, and Jumanji: The Next Level. He also directed Just a Dream. He was an activist and always brought awareness to environmental issues and human rights. He was appointed a UNICEF ambassador for his humanitarian work.
- Date of Birth: July 22, 1946
- Place of Birth: San Francisco, California, USA
- Height: 1.92 m
- Debut Year: 1979
- Debut Movie/ TV series: B.J. And The Bear
Also, read Is Danny Glover Related To Donald Glover?
16. Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes is a skilled actor and is known for his action films. He is also trained in martial arts and is famous for using these techniques in his films. He played a small role at the age of 12 in Broadway theatre and decided to pursue acting as his profession.
Snipes worked hard and learned all the necessary skills, like dance and music. His first motion picture is Wildcats. He received fame from the Mo’Better Blues film directed by Spike Lee.
Snipes also played unique roles in New Jack City, Passenger 57, and Jungle Fever. He worked with legends like Sean Connery, Sylvester Stallone, and Robert De Niro. His notable performances include Blade, Dolemite is My Name, and New Jack City.
- Date of Birth: July 31, 1962
- Place of Birth: Orlando, Florida, USA
- Height: 1.75 m
- Debut Year: 1984
- Debut Movie/ TV series: All My Children
17. Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan is an American actor who dropped out of college to pursue acting. He came from a poor family and had to work several jobs to support his family. He also worked in some commercials and worked as a bouncer for celebrities like Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, etc.
Duncan quit his job and acted as a bear in the film Armageddon. He got a role in The Green Mile with the help of a friend. He received Academy and Golden Globe awards for his performance.
Later, he worked on several films like Planet of the Apes, The Scorpion King, Daredevil, etc. For his role in Kingpin, Michael worked hard and gained around 40 pounds. This reflects the actor’s level of commitment. He died on September 3, 2012, due to a myocardial infarction.
- Date of Birth: December 10, 1957
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Height: 1.97 m
- Debut Year: 1995
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Renegade
18. James Pickens Jr.
James Pickens Jr. is an African-American actor who performed mostly in supporting roles. He is familiar to the audience as Dr. Richard Webber from Grey’s Anatomy. He started his career as an actor and performed in several soap operas.
James acted in A Soldier’s Play along with Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Another famous role that he played was in the X-Files as Director Kresh. He acted in various films like Beverly Hills, Roseanne, Six Feet Under, and others.
- Date of Birth: October 26, 1954
- Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, US
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 1983
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Saturday Night Live
19. Ving Rhames
Irving Rameses Ving Rhames acted in supporting roles for films like Pulp Fiction, Dawn of the Dead, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. His parents named him after Irving R. Levine. He studied at the New York School of Performing Arts and later studied drama at SUNY Purchase. His friends at SUNY Purchase called him Ving. He has a Bachelor’s degree in fine Arts.
Initially, he performed in Broadway plays and soap operas. He gained fame for his role as Marsellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction. He got the opportunity to act in the Mission: Impossible series. He also voiced the character of Cobra Bubbles in Lilo and Stitch. He won the Golden Globe for best actor for Don King: Only in America.
- Date of Birth: May 12, 1959
- Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
- Height: 1.8 m
- Debut Year: 1985
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Go Tell It On The Mountain
20. Billy Dee Williams
William December Williams Jr. is a person with multiple talents. He is an actor and a painter. He is known for his roles in the Star Wars franchise. He came from a culturally rich family.
Since childhood, Billy has always wanted to be a painter. He graduated from an arts college specializing in the visual arts. He was offered a two-year scholarship to study classical principles of painting in New York. He got a Hallgarten prize for his painting abilities.
Billy started acting to get financial support for his painting career. He started performing at the Broadway theatre and worked there for almost ten years. Later, he wanted to dedicate his time completely to acting and joined the Harlem Actors Workshop.
Billy received a wide range of recognition for his movie, Brian’s Song. He acted in films like Lady Sings the Blues, Nighthawk, and Mahogany. He is the first black actor to play a major role as Lando in the Star Wars franchise. He also has a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also portrayed the role of Harvey Dent in Batman.
- Date of Birth: April 6, 1937
- Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 1959
- Debut Movie/ TV series: The Last Angry Man
Also, read The 50 Best Drama Movies to Watch on Netflix
21. Sammy Davis Jr
Samuel George Davis Jr. is known for his eminent acting, singing, and dancing skills. He is also a comedian, director, and producer. His father was also a dancer and singer. He learned the skills from his father and started performing at an early age.
At the age of 7, he performed in the film Rufus Jones for President, making it his debut film. He also served in the US Army during World War II and realized the hurdles black people face. He was discharged from the army in 1945.
Sammy started performing again in 1949. He starred in the Ocean’s 11 movies. He also had a show called the Sammy Davis Jr. Show, which made him a star. He continued acting and played roles in the films Alice in Wonderland (1985), Salt and Pepper, Selma, The Black Godfather, and others.
- Date of Birth: December 8, 1925
- Place of Birth: Harlem, New York, USA
- Height: 1.61 m
- Debut Year: 1933
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Rufus Jones For President
22. Kevin Hart
Kevin Darnell Hart is a famous actor and comedian. He started his career as a stand-up comedian. He dropped out of his community college in Philadelphia to start working as a shoe salesman. He also did standup comedy as a hobby. He started improving and started doing comedy tours.
Kevin had a guest role in a sitcom called Undeclared. He made his film debut with Paper Soldiers. He acted in films like Soul Plane, Little Fockers, and the Scary Movie franchise. He continued working in films and is famous for his pairing with Dwayne Johnson.
Later, he started a production company called HartBeat Productions. He also created a comedy brand called Laugh Out Loud to provide opportunities for people all over the world. He is also famous for his television show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, with Chris Spencer. He won two Grammy Awards for his comedy albums and two Emmy awards.
- Date of Birth: July 6, 1979
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Height: 1.57 m
- Debut Year: 2002
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Paper Soldiers
Also, read 39 Best Movies And Shows Of Kevin Hart
23. Don Cheadle
Donald Frank Cheadle is an American actor known for his intense performances. He wanted to become an actor from the beginning and studied at the California Institute of the Arts. He got a chance to act in a feature film called Moving Violations while he was just a student.
After his debut, he acted in several guest roles in TV shows and films. He gained recognition after acting as Denzel Washington’s friend in Devil in a Blue Dress. He portrayed the role of Sammy Davis Jr. in The Rat Pack and received an Emmy Award nomination for his acting.
Don Cheadle acted in the Ocean’s 11 (2001) series. He is famous as Rhodes in Iron Man 2 and the later films. He performed roles in different genres, including comedy, drama, action, etc. His other works include Black Monday, Miles Ahead, Hotel Rwanda, Crash, and others.
- Date of Birth: November 29, 1964
- Place of Birth: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Height: 1.72 m
- Debut Year: 1984
- Debut Movie/ TV series: 3 Days
Also, read 40 Best Don Cheadle Movies That You Should Know About
24. Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers is a successful actor and director who was also a professional football player. He was interested in sports as a child and learned boxing, football, gymnastics, and wrestling.
Carl played football for a very long time and retired in 1974 to start acting. Initially, he acted in two blaxploitation films called Bucktown and Friday Foster. He appeared in several TV shows as a side artist. He acted in the Rocky film series with Sylvester Stallone.
Carl Weathers worked in several action films, like Predator, Action Jackson, and Hurricane Smith. He worked with Michael Jackson on a music album and also with stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Adam Sandler, and Jesse Ventura. He also acted as a comedian for a brief period. His films include Death Hunt, Happy Gilmore, Little Nicky, etc. His recent work includes the Mandalorian series.
- Date of Birth: January 14, 1948
- Place of Birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Height: 1.87 m
- Debut Year: 1973
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Magnum Force
25. Louis Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett Jr. is a famous American actor. He had to take acting classes instead of sports due to an injury. He acted in his school’s stage play at the age of 17. After graduation, his teacher encouraged him to join Broadway, and he went there to pursue acting.
Louis started his acting career in the Broadway theatre and acted in several plays. He was also a folk singer, and this skill came as an extra benefit for him. After his film debut, he starred in several TV shows and movies. He gained fame after acting in a miniseries called Roots.
Louis also won an Emmy Award for this series. This series became a turning point in his career. His films include Skin Game, The White Dawn, The Deep, and others. He received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and is the first black actor to receive this award in this category. He also won two Golden Globe awards and many other awards for his contribution to movies.
- Date of Birth: May 27, 1936
- Place of Birth: Sheepshead Bay, New York, USA
- Height: 1.93 m
- Debut Year: 1961
- Debut Movie/ TV series: A Raisin in the Sun
Also read: 20 Best Eddie Murphy Movies To Watch – OtakuKart Recommends
26. Ernie Hudson
Ernie Lee Hudson is famous as Winston from Ghostbusters. He is an actor and a voice artist. He joined the USMC but was discharged for medical reasons. He joined Wayne State University to develop acting skills.
Ernie established the Actors’ Ensemble Theatre for aspiring black artists. He joined Yale University to pursue a master’s degree in fine arts but had to drop out for his film debut.
Initially, he appeared in a few guest roles in Fantasy Island and The A-Team. He became famous after working on the Ghostbusters movies. His best works include Congo, The Crow, Miss Congeniality, and others.
- Date of Birth: December 17, 1945
- Place of Birth: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 1976
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Leadbelly
27. Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer is an actor best known for his role as Dr. Gregg Pratt on ER, which is a famous medical drama series. He auditioned for Clockers when he was 18 and bagged the role in the film. After that, he acted in films like High School High, Paid in Full, and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.
Phifer portrayed the role of Dr. Gregory Pratt in ER. He also had guest roles in Homicide, Lie to Me, and the New York Undercover series. He worked with great actors like Don Cheadle, Beyonce, and Eminem. His notable films include Obsession, Honey, Lights Out, Scarface, Soul Food, and Brian’s Song. He established an NGO called The Vine Group USA to look after the educational needs of students in Africa. He owns a shoe brand and a company called Third Reel Films to encourage filmmakers.
- Date of Birth: December 29, 1974
- Place of Birth: Harlem, New York, USA
- Height: 1.76 m
- Debut Year: 1994
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Clockers
28. Charles S. Dutton
Charles Stanley Dutton is an actor and director. At the age of 16, Dutton was sentenced to 5 years in jail for manslaughter, which later got extended to 10 years for committing another crime. He was released from jail in 1976 and enrolled as a drama major. He completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in acting.
Charles’ Broadway debut earned him a Tony Award and a Theatre World Award in the category of Best Actor. He started pursuing his acting career and did films like Rudy, Get on the Bus, Cookie’s Fortune, and others. He won two Emmy Awards as an Outstanding Guest Actor for The Practice and Without a Trace. He directed “The Corner” and two episodes of the “Sleeper Cell”. He stopped acting in 2015.
- Date of Birth: January 30, 1951
- Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Height: 1.75 m
- Debut Year: 1985
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Cat’s Eye
29. Taye Diggs
Scott Leo Taye Diggs is an American actor. Taye was a stage actor and performed in several Broadway plays like Rent, The Wild Party, and Chicago. He started his career as a Broadway stage actor.
Later, he moved into the television industry. He has a part in a soap opera called Guiding Light. After this, he got the opportunity to act in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”. This film got him fame and attention. He was also featured in America’s Next Top Model as a mentor. He acted in series like Practice and Murder in the first. His films include The Wood, The Best Man, Brown Sugar, etc.
- Date of Birth: January 2, 1971
- Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Height: 1.78 m
- Debut Year: 1998
- Debut Movie/ TV series: How Stella Got Her Groove Back
30. Keith David
Keith David is a famous American actor known for his role in Pitch Black. He has a deep, unique voice and has also worked as a voice actor. He decided to become an actor during his schooling after playing the character of the Cowardly Lion.
So he pursued his interest in acting and graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts. After his debut, he worked on films like Platoon, Clockers, Volcano, and Agent Cody Banks. He also appeared in series like The Job, Enlisted, and The Cape. He also voiced characters like Goliath from Gargoyles, Lemuel Kane in Archer, The President in Rick and Morty, and Atlas from Teen Titans. He won three Primetime Emmy awards for his voice.
- Date of Birth: June 4, 1956
- Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
- Height: 1.88 m
- Debut Year: 1979
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Disco Godfather
31. Fred Williamson
Frederick Robert Williamson is a professional football player and actor. He played in the American Football League. He is also known as the Hammer. He has played football since high school. He also got a football scholarship to the university.
After a while, he stopped playing football and retired because of a severe injury. He entered the acting field with his friend Jim Brown and acted in films like Take a Hard Ride, Original Gangstas, and Three the Hard Way. In his early days, he appeared on one of the episodes of Star Trek.
Williamson worked in several blaxploitation films like Black Caesar, The Legend of Nigger Charley, and Hell Up in Harlem. His other films include Crazy Joe, From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Inglorious Bastards. He worked with great actors like George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, and Bo Svenson. He was the actor and producer of the film Boss Nigger. He started his own production company called Po’ Boy Productions.
- Date of Birth: March 5, 1938
- Place of Birth: Gary, Indiana, USA
- Height: 1.9 m
- Debut Year: 1968
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Ironside
32. Omar Epps
Omar Hashim Epps is a famous rapper, actor, and producer. He is famous for his roles in Juice, The Wood, and In Too Deep. He started writing poetry and songs at the age of ten. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts, which is a school for talented kids across New York and is very difficult to get admission to.
Epps formed a rap group known as Wolfpack with his cousin. He made his debut film with Tupac Shakur and started acting in films. He appeared in films like Major League II and Higher Learning. He worked on the TV series ER. His famous films include The Mod Squad, Brother, and Against the Ropes. He also gained fame for acting as Kingsley Ofosu in Deadly Voyage.
- Date of Birth: July 20, 1973
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Height: 1.79 m
- Debut Year: 1992
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Juice
33. Courtney B. Vance
Courtney B. Vance is best known for his roles in Hamburger Hill, The Preacher’s Wife, and Cookie’s Fortune. He had wanted to be an actor since childhood. He started acting on stage and worked with James Earl Jones on Broadway.
After his debut, he returned to Broadway for a while. During this period, he also acted in films like The Hunt for Red October, Panther, The Last Supper, and Dangerous Minds. He worked with legendary directors like Clint Eastwood, Robert Altman, and Penny Marshall.
Vance appeared in famous television shows like Law & Order, Picket Fences, ER, and Thirtysomething. He narrated Wes Anderson’s film Isle of Dogs. He received various prestigious awards, like the Tony Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
- Date of Birth: March 12, 1960
- Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Height: 1.75 m
- Debut Year: 1987
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Hamburger Hill
34. Mario Van Peebles
Mario Van Peebles is an actor and director famous for his film New Jack City. His father is an African-American filmmaker. Initially, he acted in a soap opera called One Life to Live. He acted in his father’s biopic Baadasssss! and is also the co-writer and director of the film. The film became an instant hit and brought fame to Mario.
In his initial days, he acted in films like Exterminator 2, The Cotton Club, and Rappin. His famous movies include Ali, Heartbreak Ridge, Seized, Posse, and Red Sky. He is also an environmental activist and tries to raise awareness among people with his show, Mario’s Green House.
- Date of Birth: January 15, 1967
- Place of Birth: Mexico City, Mexico
- Height: 1.78 m
- Debut Year: 1971
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Crosscurrent
35. Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman is an actor who is famous all around the world as Black Panther. He learned martial arts during his childhood and desired to be an architect. During his graduation, he started writing a play for his classmate, who was killed. He chose the arts and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing.
Boseman wanted to become an actor and director, so he started studying acting. He started acting and directing dramas and stage plays. Later, he made his television debut with Third Watch, and a soap opera called All My Children. He was fired from All My Children for raising a concern about racial stereotypes in the script.
Chadwick Boseman worked on other series like Law & Order, ER, Lincoln Heights, and Cold Case. He became famous for his roles in 42 and Thoth in the Gods of Egypt. After a few days, he stopped acting on Broadway. He was chosen by Marvel Studios to play Black Panther in 2016.
Boseman worked very hard for the film and even learned the Wakanda accent. He acted in all the subsequent Avengers films. In 2017, he did a biopic called Marshall and later starred in 21 Bridges. He was also a part of the Netflix film Da 5 Bloods, directed by Spike Lee. His last film was Black Bottom by Ma Rainey. He won several awards, like the Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Unfortunately, he died in 2020 due to colon cancer.
- Date of Birth: November 29, 1976
- Place of Birth: Anderson, South Carolina, USA
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 2012
- Debut Movie/ TV series: The Kill Hole
Also, read Golden Globes Tribute To Chadwick Boseman
36. Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop, also known as Jamie Foxx, is an actor, comedian, and singer. He learned to play the piano at seven. He was also famous for his jokes at school. He got a scholarship to study at the United States International University.
Jamie performed an open mic at a club just for fun but ended up liking it. He changed his name to Jamie Foxx as a tribute to a comedian named Redd Foxx. He acted in a TV show called In Living Color and later in a sitcom called Roc. He created his sitcom called The Jamie Foxx Show, which ran until 2001. He also established Foxx Hole Productions.
After his debut in Toys, he was cast in a film called Ang Given Sunday. He acted with stars like Will Smith and Tom Cruise. He worked with Kanye West on songs like “Slow Jamz”, “Extravaganza”, and “Gold Digger”. He acted as Ray Charles in the biopic Ray and won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. He is the third male actor in the world to receive two Oscar nominations in one year.
Jamie Foxx acted in films like Jarhead, Dreamgirls, Django Unchained, and The Soloist. He also voiced Canary in the Rio animated series. His other notable performances include Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Project Power, and Baby Driver. All his albums were sensational hits, which earned him a Grammy Award.
- Date of Birth: December 13, 1967
- Place of Birth: Terrell, Texas, USA
- Height: 1.75 m
- Debut Year: 1992
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Toys
Also, read Jamie Foxx’s Net Worth: How Much is The Star Actor Worth?
37. Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker is a stand-up comedian who turned out to be an actor. He has been gifted as a comedian since childhood, and he used to perform impersonations of Eddie Murphy and Michael Jackson at school. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career and made his film debut with House Party 3.
Tucker received fame and attention after his Friday film with the rapper Ice Cube. He worked with artists like Quentin Tarantino, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Jackie Chan, and Robert De Niro. He is famous for his performances in the Rush Hour movie series, Money Talks, and Silver Linings Playbook films. He also continued to be a stand-up comedian and has a TV special called Chris Tucker Live.
- Date of Birth: August 31, 1971
- Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Height: 1.85 m
- Debut Year: 1994
- Debut Movie/ TV series: House Party 3
Also, read What Happened To Chris Tucker? The Actor Sparks Death Rumors
38. Andre Braugher
Andre Keith Braugher is familiar to the audience as Captain Raymond Holt from the series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He completed a BA in theatre at Stanford University and attended Julliard School in the drama division. He made his film debut in Glory as an educated black man called Thomas Searles.
After the film, he switched to television series and acted as a detective in Homicide: Life on the Street. He won a Primetime Emmy Award as an outstanding actor for his role in Homicide. He was mentioned in the 1997 list of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.
Andre’s television works include the Thief, Hack, House, and Men of Certain Age series. He worked in several television series and also lent his voice to the Darkseid character in the animated film Batman/Superman: Apocalypse and as Woodchuck Coodchuck Berkowitz in BoJack Horseman. He received a wide range of fame as Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He gained four Primetime Emmy awards for his performance as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
- Date of Birth: July 1, 1962
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Height: 1.83 m
- Debut Year: 1989
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Glory
Also, read 35 Interesting Glory Movie Facts Worth Knowing
39. Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson Spike Lee is a filmmaker and actor who has always tried to encourage talented black artists. He used to make student films in his college. He also made an independent feature film as a part of his thesis and received a Student Academy Award.
Lee wrote, directed, and acted in his debut film. The film became an instant hit, and the black community was very happy about their representation as the film opened opportunities for black artists. His film, Do the Right Thing was also an instant hit and won two Academy Awards.
Lee directed films like Mo’Better Blues, Malcolm X, 25th Hour, BlacKkKlansman, and Inside Man. He also worked with successful actors like Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. He acted in movies like Malcolm X, Clockers, Summer of Sam, and Jungle Fever. He owns a production company called 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. He won several awards, including the Academy Honorary Award, and is the youngest person to receive that award.
- Date of Birth: March 20, 1957
- Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Height: 1.68 m
- Debut Year: 1986
- Debut Movie/ TV series: She’s Gotta Have It
40. Reginald VelJohnson
Reginald VelJohnson is an African-American actor known for his role in a sitcom called Family Matters. He played the role of a police officer named Carl Winslow in the series. He completed his bachelor’s in fine arts at New York University.
Reginald worked at the Black Shakespeare Company along with Morgan Freeman and CCH Pounder. He appeared in films like Ghostbusters, Crocodile Dundee, Turner and Hooch, and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. He acted as Sgt. AI Powell in Die Hard, which became his breakout role in the film industry. He also appeared in the sequel of the film.
The audience loved him as Carl Winslow in Family Matters. After the sitcom ended, he only did a few cameo roles and became a voice actor. He made cameos in shows like Murder, Eve, Crossing Jordan, The Parkers, and The Equalizer. He acted in movies like Just 3 Boyz, The Formula, and Air Collision. He lent his voice to Principal Winslow in the animated series Invincible.
- Date of Birth: August 16, 1952
- Place of Birth: Queens, New York, US
- Height: 1.73 m
- Debut Year: 1984
- Debut Movie/ TV series: Ghostbusters
Also read: Top Funniest Black Comedians Who Keep Us Laughing
