Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Virgo

Virgos are known for detail, discipline, and quiet intensity—and plenty of talented Black actresses embody those traits on and off the screen. From franchise leads to Broadway powerhouses, these performers share birthdays between late August and late September. Below, you’ll find where they were born, the roles that put them on the map, and standout credits across film and TV. Keep an eye out for the projects you might have missed—there are some gems in here.

Zendaya

Born September 1 in Oakland, Zendaya broke out on Disney Channel before headlining HBO’s ‘Euphoria’. She co-stars in the ‘Spider-Man’ films as MJ and led ‘Challengers’ for director Luca Guadagnino. Her work spans drama, sci-fi, and romance, pairing studio hits with award-winning television. She also produces, shaping stories behind the camera as well as in front of it.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer, born August 26 in Harvey, Illinois, made an early splash with ‘Akeelah and the Bee’. She’s starred in ‘Hustlers’, ‘Nope’, and voiced major animated roles, showing range across genres. On TV, she’s appeared in ‘Scream Queens’ and ‘True Jackson, VP’. Palmer also hosts and produces, building a multifaceted career in entertainment.

Taraji P. Henson

Born September 11 in Washington, D.C., Taraji P. Henson earned widespread acclaim with roles in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. She anchored the series ‘Empire’ as Cookie Lyon. Henson’s filmography includes dramas, thrillers, and comedies, plus stage and voice work. She’s also an author and advocate, supporting mental health initiatives.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan, born September 19 in New York City, gained early notice with ‘Love & Basketball’. She’s appeared in ‘The Best Man’ franchise, ‘Something New’, and voiced Donna Tubbs on ‘The Cleveland Show’. Lathan moved into directing with ‘On the Come Up’. Her TV credits include ‘Succession’ and ‘Nip/Tuck’.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Born September 18 in Baltimore, Jada Pinkett Smith’s film credits range from ‘Set It Off’ to the ‘Matrix’ series. She voices Gloria in the ‘Madagascar’ franchise and led ‘Gotham’ as Fish Mooney. Pinkett Smith co-created the rock band Wicked Wisdom and hosts unscripted conversation projects. She’s also a producer across film, TV, and digital formats.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris, born September 6 in London, is known globally as Eve Moneypenny in the modern ‘James Bond’ films. She earned major awards recognition for ‘Moonlight’. Other notable credits include ’28 Days Later’, ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, and ‘Southpaw’. Harris trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before transitioning to large-scale film work.

Anika Noni Rose

Born September 6 in Bloomfield, Connecticut, Anika Noni Rose brought Disney’s first African-American princess to life in ‘The Princess and the Frog’. She’s a Tony-winning Broadway performer with an extensive stage résumé. On screen, she’s appeared in ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Power’, and ‘The Good Wife’. Rose also records audiobooks and performs in concert settings.

Debbi Morgan

Debbi Morgan, born September 20 in Dunn, North Carolina, became a daytime icon with ‘All My Children’. Her film and TV work includes ‘Eve’s Bayou’, ‘Power’, and ‘The Proud Family’. Morgan’s career spans soap operas, prime-time dramas, and independent cinema. She has also authored a memoir detailing her life and professional journey.

Jennifer Hudson

Born September 12 in Chicago, Jennifer Hudson won major film honors for ‘Dreamgirls’. She’s appeared in ‘Respect’, portraying Aretha Franklin, and acted in ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Decore’. Hudson is an EGOT, adding TV hosting and producing to her portfolio. Her music career runs in parallel with film and stage performances.

China Anne McClain

China Anne McClain, born August 25 in Decatur, Georgia, starred on Disney Channel’s ‘A.N.T. Farm’. She appeared in the ‘Descendants’ franchise and led ‘Black Lightning’ as Jennifer Pierce. McClain also records music with her sisters as the group Thriii. Her work bridges family programming, superhero storytelling, and musical projects.

Quvenzhané Wallis

Born August 28 in Houma, Louisiana, Quvenzhané Wallis drew international attention with ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’. She played the title role in ‘Annie’ and appeared in ’12 Years a Slave’. Wallis has worked in voice acting and published children’s books. She continues to build credits across film, TV, and publishing.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris, born September 22 in South Carolina, broke out with ‘Dear White People’ and ‘Chi-Raq’. She portrays Monica Rambeau in the Marvel projects ‘WandaVision’ and ‘The Marvels’. Parris trained at the Juilliard School before moving into film and television. Her roles span indie dramas, historical pieces, and superhero titles.

Jodie Turner-Smith

Born September 7 in Peterborough, England, Jodie Turner-Smith starred in ‘Queen & Slim’. She’s appeared in ‘Without Remorse’, ‘The Last Ship’, and ‘Sex Education’. Turner-Smith has taken on historical roles, including Anne Boleyn in a reimagined miniseries. Her modeling background preceded her transition into screen acting.

Aisha Tyler

Aisha Tyler, born September 18 in San Francisco, is known for ‘Archer’ voice work and appearances on ‘Friends’ and ‘Criminal Minds’. She hosted ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ and co-hosted ‘The Talk’. Tyler also directs episodes of scripted series, expanding into filmmaking. Her career blends acting, stand-up, hosting, and directing.

Khandi Alexander

Khandi Alexander, born September 4 in New York City, is recognized for ‘CSI: Miami’, ‘Treme’, and ‘Scandal’. Earlier in her career, she danced and choreographed before focusing on acting. Her film credits include ‘There’s Something About Mary’ and ‘Rain Man’. Alexander frequently portrays complex, grounded characters in ensemble dramas.

Kyla Pratt

Kyla Pratt, born September 16 in Los Angeles, is known for voicing Penny Proud in ‘The Proud Family’ and leading the sitcom ‘One on One’. Her film credits include ‘Dr. Dolittle’ entries, ‘Fat Albert’, and ‘Hotel for Dogs’. Pratt has continued voice work in ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’. She also appears across TV comedies and family films.

Toks Olagundoye

Born September 16 in Lagos, Nigeria, Toks Olagundoye starred in ‘The Neighbors’ and joined ‘Castle’ in a recurring role. She appears in the 2023 ‘Frasier’ revival as Olivia. Olagundoye’s voice work includes ‘Steven Universe’, ‘DuckTales’, ‘Carmen Sandiego’, and ‘Arcane’. Her career spans live-action sitcoms, dramas, and animation.

Kat Graham

Kat Graham, born September 5 in Geneva and raised in Los Angeles, played Bonnie Bennett on ‘The Vampire Diaries’. She’s appeared in ‘All Eyez on Me’, ‘The Holiday Calendar’, and ‘Love in the Villa’. Graham records music alongside acting, releasing multiple projects. She also works in fashion and global advocacy initiatives.

Holly Robinson Peete

Holly Robinson Peete, born September 18 in Philadelphia, starred in ’21 Jump Street’ and ‘Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper’. She headlined ‘For Your Love’ and has appeared in numerous Hallmark Channel projects. Peete’s non-fiction TV work includes family-centered series and specials. She is also an author and advocate focused on autism awareness.

Aisha Dee

Born September 13 on Australia’s Gold Coast, Aisha Dee led ‘The Bold Type’ and appears in ‘The Buccaneers’. Her film work includes the psychological horror ‘Sissy’. Dee began on Australian television before transitioning to U.S. projects. She continues to balance TV ensembles with genre films.

Trina McGee

Trina McGee, born September 6 in New York City, is widely known for ‘Boy Meets World’ as Angela Moore. Her credits include ‘Friday After Next’ and guest roles across network sitcoms and dramas. McGee has also worked in theater and independent film. She remains a fixture at reunions and retrospectives celebrating the series.

Shalita Grant

Shalita Grant, born August 28 in Virginia, originated roles on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination for ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’. She portrayed Sonja Percy on ‘NCIS: New Orleans’. Grant has key roles in ‘You’ and ‘Search Party’. She also appears in action and comedy projects across streaming platforms.

Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele, born August 24 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is one of Nollywood’s most prolific multi-hyphenates. She created and stars in the hit franchise ‘Jenifa’ and produced box-office leaders like ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ and ‘A Tribe Called Judah’. Akindele’s career spans acting, writing, and producing for film and TV. She has built major audience followings in Nigeria and across the diaspora.

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson, born August 27 in Houston, has portrayed Dr. Miranda Bailey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ since the pilot. She has directed multiple episodes of the series. Wilson’s theater background includes major roles Off-Broadway and on Broadway. Her screen work extends to TV movies and guest appearances beyond the medical drama.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks, born September 17 in Augusta, Georgia, broke through as Taystee on ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She played Sofia in the musical ‘The Color Purple’ on stage and in the 2023 film adaptation. Brooks’s work spans comedy, drama, and musical performance. She has also appeared in ‘Peacemaker’ within the DC television universe.

Skye Townsend

Skye Townsend, born September 1 in California, is a cast member on ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’. She combines comedy, music, and acting across digital and television projects. Townsend’s additional credits include guest spots on scripted series and voice roles. She continues to expand into writing and producing.

Nona Gaye

Nona Gaye, born September 4 in Washington, D.C., played Zee in ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ and ‘The Matrix Revolutions’. She portrayed Belinda in ‘Ali’ opposite Will Smith. Gaye’s career bridges music and acting, including soundtrack and performance work. She has appeared in dramas and action films with global reach.

Taral Hicks

Taral Hicks, born September 21 in New York, made her film debut in ‘A Bronx Tale’. She later appeared in ‘Belly’ and worked across television movies and series. Hicks’s résumé spans acting and music releases. She has continued to take roles in independent features.

Shar Jackson

Shar Jackson, born August 31 in Boston, is known for ‘Moesha’ as Niecy Jackson. Her credits include the feature ‘Good Burger’ and various TV guest roles. Jackson has appeared in competition and reality programming tied to her acting career. She continues to work across comedy and family-focused projects.

If we missed your favorite Virgo, drop their name and a favorite role in the comments!