Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Capricorn

Capricorns are said to be disciplined, ambitious, and steady—and plenty of Black actresses born between December 22 and January 19 have built careers that fit that vibe. Below are 45 names spanning film, TV, stage, and music-to-screen crossovers—each with quick, useful notes on standout roles, accolades, and projects you can watch next.

Regina King

Born January 15, she is an Oscar- and multi-Emmy-winning performer and director. Her film work includes ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, and she directed ‘One Night in Miami…’. On TV, she delivered acclaimed turns in ‘Seven Seconds’ and ‘Watchmen’. She made her feature directing debut with ‘One Night in Miami…’ and continues to produce through her company Royal Ties.

Issa Rae

Born January 12, she created and starred in ‘Insecure’. She founded Hoorae to develop film, TV, and digital projects, expanding opportunities for underrepresented creators. Her producing slate includes ‘Rap Sh!t’ and multiple feature films. She also co-founded a coffee shop and a hair-care brand, reflecting her multi-hyphenate focus.

Aja Naomi King

Born January 11, she broke out in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. Film credits include ‘The Birth of a Nation’ and ‘A Little White Lie’. She trained at Yale School of Drama. She also appears in limited-series projects and festival features that spotlight historical and contemporary themes.

Adepero Oduye

Born January 11, she earned early acclaim for ‘Pariah’. She appeared in ’12 Years a Slave’ and ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. Oduye is also a writer-director with short-film work on the festival circuit. Her performances often anchor stories centered on identity and resilience.

Simone Missick

Born January 19, she portrayed Misty Knight in ‘Luke Cage’ and led the legal drama ‘All Rise’. Her recurring Marvel role crossed into ‘The Defenders’ and ‘Iron Fist’. She has stage experience and indie features on her résumé. Missick also produces and develops scripted projects.

Coco Jones

Born January 4, she stars as Hilary Banks in ‘Bel-Air’. A singer and actress, she first gained attention on Disney projects before moving into mature roles. Her music career includes an EP and collaborations with R&B artists. She balances studio work with touring and on-screen roles.

Ryan Destiny

Born January 8, she co-led the series ‘Star’. Screen credits extend to ‘Grown-ish’ and feature films. She began in a girl group before transitioning to acting. Destiny continues to develop music alongside acting work.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Born December 30, she won an Emmy for ‘Abbott Elementary’. She originated Deena Jones on Broadway in ‘Dreamgirls’. Screen work spans ‘Moesha’, ‘Sister Act 2’, and numerous TV guest roles. Ralph is also a producer and long-time HIV/AIDS advocate.

Nichelle Nichols

Born December 28, she made history as Uhura in ‘Star Trek’. Her work with NASA helped recruit diverse astronauts. Nichols’ portrayal opened doors for future generations in sci-fi. She also performed in theater and recorded music.

Eartha Kitt

Born January 17, she was an actress, singer, and dancer with a signature role as Catwoman in ‘Batman’. Film and stage credits include ‘Boomerang’ and Broadway revivals. She earned Tony and Emmy nominations and an Emmy win for voice acting in ‘The Emperor’s New School’. Kitt’s multilingual repertoire broadened her global reach.

Aaliyah

Born January 16, she acted in ‘Romeo Must Die’ and ‘Queen of the Damned’. A pioneering R&B artist, she influenced fashion and sound in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her film work showcased action and supernatural genres. Posthumous releases and tributes continue to underline her impact.

Debbie Allen

Born January 16, she starred in and choreographed ‘Fame’. A prolific director and producer, she has helmed episodes of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and other major series. Allen founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy to train the next generation. She is a Kennedy Center Honoree and multiple Emmy winner.

Cynthia Erivo

Born January 8, she is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner for ‘The Color Purple’ on Broadway. On screen, she starred in ‘Harriet’ and ‘Widows’. She records original music and contributes to soundtracks. Erivo also writes and develops prestige limited series.

Emayatzy Corinealdi

Born January 14, she drew critical notice in ‘Middle of Nowhere’. TV roles include ‘Ballers’ and ‘Reasonable Doubt’. Feature work spans indie dramas and studio thrillers. She frequently collaborates with filmmakers telling character-driven stories.

Mary J. Blige

Born January 11, she earned Oscar nominations for acting and songwriting for ‘Mudbound’. On TV, she’s appeared in ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ and ‘The Umbrella Academy’. Her production banner develops music-focused and dramatic projects. Blige continues to release charting albums and tour.

Renée Elise Goldsberry

Born January 2, she won a Tony for ‘Hamilton’. She co-stars in ‘Girls5eva’ and has appeared in ‘The Good Wife’. Her recording work includes cast albums and solo projects. She balances TV comedies, dramas, and concert performances.

Nicole Beharie

Born January 3, she led ‘Miss Juneteenth’ and co-starred in ‘Sleepy Hollow’. Film credits include ‘Shame’ and ‘Breaking’. Beharie’s performances often anchor intimate, character-driven narratives. She has received festival awards and critics’ honors.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson

Born January 12, she appears in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ and ‘Power’. Past roles include ‘Arrow’ and ‘Spartacus’. She trained at Tisch School of the Arts. Her career spans fantasy epics, action series, and crime dramas.

Adjoa Andoh

Born January 14, she portrays Lady Danbury in ‘Bridgerton’. A veteran of stage and radio, she has extensive Shakespeare credits. TV work includes ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Casualty’. Andoh also directs and narrates audiobooks.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Born January 7, she became the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe for acting with ‘Pose’. Additional credits include ‘Loot’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’. She is a recording artist and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation. Rodriguez continues to headline series and specials.

Traci Bingham

Born January 13, she is known for ‘Baywatch’. Her film and TV work includes comedies and reality-competition programs. She has modeled and appeared in music videos. Bingham’s career reflects the 1990s pop-culture TV boom.

Vanity

Born January 4, she acted in ‘Action Jackson’ and ‘The Last Dragon’. She led the group Vanity 6 before moving into film and TV roles. Her on-screen work leaned into action and music-infused projects. Later in life, she shifted to ministry and philanthropy.

Samantha Mumba

Born January 18, she starred in ‘The Time Machine’. An Irish singer and actress, she balanced music releases with film roles. She has performed on stage and television in the UK and Ireland. Mumba returned to recording after acting stints.

Sofia Wylie

Born January 7, she leads ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ and appears in ‘The School for Good and Evil’. A dancer-turned-actress, she also produces youth-focused projects. She has voice roles in animated series. Wylie develops content with global teen audiences in mind.

Jade Eshete

Born January 9, she co-starred in ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’. She has theater roots and commercials/voiceover experience. Eshete also appears in indie features and short films. Her projects often blend genre and offbeat humor.

FKA twigs

Born January 16, she has acting credits in ‘Honey Boy’ and screen-dance films. A multidisciplinary artist, she merges performance art with narrative screen work. She directs and conceptualizes many of her visual projects. Twigs collaborates across film, fashion, and music.

Ashleigh Murray

Born January 18, she played Josie McCoy in ‘Riverdale’ and ‘Katy Keene’. A singer-actor, she records original music and series performances. Additional credits include romantic comedies and thrillers. Murray continues to headline streaming and cable projects.

Kim Coles

Born January 11, she starred in ‘Living Single’. She hosts, writes, and performs stand-up in addition to acting. Coles has authored inspirational and comedic books. Guest roles span sitcoms, game shows, and talk series.

Jill Marie Jones

Born January 4, she is known for ‘Girlfriends’. Her credits include ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ and holiday features. Jones began as a dancer and cheerleader before acting. She continues to appear in ensemble TV comedies and dramas.

Naya Rivera

Born January 12, she co-starred in ‘Glee’. Rivera recorded music and wrote a memoir. Her early career included child-actor roles across multiple series. She is remembered for impactful performances and philanthropy.

CCH Pounder

Born December 25, she has acclaimed roles in ‘The Shield’, ‘NCIS: New Orleans’, and ‘Avatar’. A Guyanese-American performer, she is a museum patron and arts advocate. Pounder’s voice roles span animation and games. She is known for complex authority figures and matriarchs.

Ruth Negga

Born January 7, the Ethiopian-Irish actress earned an Oscar nomination for ‘Loving’. She starred in ‘Preacher’ and led ‘Macbeth’ on Broadway opposite Daniel Craig. Negga’s filmography spans indies, sci-fi, and period drama. She works across US, UK, and Irish productions.

Susan Wokoma

Born December 31, she co-created and starred in ‘Cheaters’ and appears in ‘Enola Holmes’. TV credits include ‘Year of the Rabbit’ and ‘Chewing Gum’. She trained at RADA and writes for stage and screen. Wokoma also directs short-form projects.

Akosua Busia

Born December 30, the Ghanaian actress is known for ‘The Color Purple’. She co-wrote the screenplay for ‘The African Pink Panther’ project and authored a novel. Busia’s credits span British and American productions. She is part of a family of noted scholars and artists.

Mercy Aigbe

Born January 1, the Nigerian actress is a star of Yoruba-language Nollywood films. She founded a fashion label and runs a film school. Aigbe produces and headlines cinema and streaming titles. She is a frequent winner at Nigerian entertainment awards.

Uche Jombo

Born December 28, the Nigerian actress, writer, and producer leads features and series across Nollywood. Her production credits include romantic dramas and thrillers. Jombo advocates for better distribution and training in the industry. She also directs and mentors emerging talent.

Kellita Smith

Born January 15, she co-starred in ‘The Bernie Mac Show’ and led Syfy’s ‘Z Nation’. Smith’s filmography includes comedies and action features. She began on stage and continues to appear in touring productions. Smith also produces independent projects.

Bukky Bakray

Born January 12, the British actress won BAFTA Rising Star for ‘Rocks’. She has since appeared in dramas and limited series. Bakray balances film work with education and community arts. She is among the youngest recipients of the BAFTA honor.

Rosalind Cash

Born December 31, she starred in ‘The Omega Man’ and worked extensively on stage. TV credits include daytime and primetime dramas. Cash recorded spoken-word albums and taught acting. Her career spanned groundbreaking roles over decades.

Jazmyn Simon

Born December 30, she is known for ‘Ballers’ and ‘Acrimony’. Additional screen credits include ‘Raising Dion’ and ‘Psych’ movies. Simon has headlined indie features and TV films. She also authors children’s books.

Patrice Lovely

Born January 4, she plays Hattie Mae across Tyler Perry films and ‘Love Thy Neighbor’. Lovely toured as a ringmaster and performer before TV success. Her screen roles include ‘A Madea Family Funeral’ and other Perry titles. She also records gospel music.

Judith Scott

Born December 22, she has recurring roles in ‘Dexter’, ‘All American’, and ‘Snowfall’. Scott appeared in ‘Guess Who’, ‘Fracture’, and ‘Flightplan’. Her TV work spans medical, crime, and thriller series. She continues to recur across network and streaming dramas.

Jordin Sparks

Born December 22, the singer-actress headlined the film ‘Sparkle’. She has additional roles in ‘Left Behind’ and holiday TV movies. Sparks also performs on Broadway and records charting singles. She continues to act while releasing new music.

Crystal R. Fox

Born January 1, she starred in ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’ and appeared in ‘Big Little Lies’. Film credits include ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘A Fall from Grace’. Fox has an extensive stage career with regional and national awards. She continues to lead series and TV films.

Ibinabo Fiberesima

Born January 13, the Nigerian actress and former Actors Guild of Nigeria president has starred in Nollywood features such as ‘Most Wanted’ and ”76′. She directs and produces, including socially themed projects. Fiberesima also runs the Miss Earth Nigeria pageant. Her work spans on-screen and industry leadership roles.

If we missed your favorite Capricorn, drop their name—and a favorite role of theirs—in the comments so everyone can compare notes!