Most Famous Black Bisexual Actors

Visibility matters—especially when it comes to how we talk about sexuality in entertainment. For years, Black bisexual men in Hollywood have navigated careers under intense public scrutiny while also deciding how, when, or whether to speak about their identities. Today, some of those stories are better documented, making it easier to trace how personal truth and professional work intersect.

Below are notable Black male actors who have publicly discussed being attracted to more than one gender, or whose bisexuality has been confirmed by reliable accounts. The focus here is on on-the-record statements and documentation, along with the film and TV work that brought each performer to wide audiences.

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor is one of the most influential comedians to move into film, and accounts from people closest to him have described him as bisexual. In 2018, his widow Jennifer Lee Pryor said he had relationships with men and referenced diaries that, she noted, documented those experiences; some relatives publicly disputed aspects of those claims, but her confirmation remains part of the public record that informs how biographers discuss his life.

On screen, Pryor became a mainstream star through a run of hits that showcased his combustible energy and sharp timing. Audiences know him from films such as ‘Silver Streak’, ‘Stir Crazy’, and ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil’, as well as his semi-autobiographical ‘Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling’, which he also directed. Earlier stand-up breakthroughs and television appearances helped him leap to movies, where he collaborated frequently with Gene Wilder and built a legacy that still shapes how comedic actors approach candid, boundary-pushing material.

Keiynan Lonsdale

Australian-Nigerian actor Keiynan Lonsdale publicly came out as bisexual in 2017, sharing the news on social media and in interviews, and later has also used “queer” as a broader descriptor. He has spoken about how being open changed his day-to-day life and creative choices, describing the announcement as a step toward living more honestly after years of self-suppression.

Lonsdale’s acting résumé spans franchise films and fan-favorite television. He played Kid Flash/Wally West on ‘The Flash’ and appeared in ‘Love, Simon’, a studio teen romance that reached a wide audience. He also performed in the ‘Divergent’ series and has continued to work across music and acting, engaging with projects and communities that prioritize LGBTQ representation on and off the screen.

Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady shared in 2023 that he identifies as pansexual, explaining that he is attracted to people regardless of gender and that the label best fits how he experiences attraction. He described the announcement as part of a broader mental-health journey and said that speaking openly helped align his personal life with the authenticity he strives for in his public work.

As an actor and entertainer, Brady has built a long screen résumé alongside his stage and improv career. Audiences know him from the sketch-and-music showcase ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, recurring roles and guest arcs in series such as ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Black Lightning’, and his long-running hosting stint on ‘Let’s Make a Deal’, all of which underscore his range while keeping him a steady presence on television.

Little Richard

Little Richard is primarily recognized as a rock-and-roll pioneer, and throughout his life he publicly discussed attraction to more than one gender in ways that shifted over time. Biographical reporting and documentaries have chronicled how he alternated between embracing and renouncing same-sex desire, noting relationships with men alongside relationships with women, and exploring how faith, fame, and sexuality intersected in his story.

As an actor and on-screen personality, Little Richard appeared in projects that showcased his charisma and cultural impact. Viewers have seen him in ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’, ‘Mystery Train’, and ‘The Naked Truth’, as well as numerous music-driven specials and guest spots on television. His appearances often doubled as living history, linking early rock innovations to new generations while demonstrating how an unmistakable showman could light up a screen in any medium.

Share your thoughts in the comments about who else belongs on this list and which roles first introduced you to their work.