Black Actors You Didn’t Know Were Libra

Libra season runs from September 23 to October 22, and a surprising number of Black male stars fall under this balanced air sign. Below is a clean, integrated roundup of men with acting credits whose birthdays land in that window—spanning film, TV, stage, voice work, and international industries. Each entry shares quick facts you can use: where you’ve seen them, standout projects, and the kinds of roles or work they’re known for. Skim for favorites or discover a few new names to check out this week.

Will Smith

Born September 25, Will Smith broke out on TV with ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and moved into blockbuster films like ‘Men in Black’ and ‘Independence Day’. He won Best Actor for ‘King Richard’ and has led multiple long-running franchises. His production company Westbrook develops features and series across platforms. Smith remains one of the rare performers to open major studio films worldwide across multiple decades.

Donald Glover

Born September 25, Donald Glover created and starred in ‘Atlanta’. He played Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ and voiced Simba in Disney’s ‘The Lion King’. Glover co-created ‘Swarm’ and the reimagined ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’. Under Childish Gambino, he contributes original music and scores tied to screen projects.

Anthony Mackie

Born September 23, Anthony Mackie plays Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with appearances in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’. He led ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ and headlines ‘Captain America: Brave New World’. Mackie’s films include ‘The Hurt Locker’, ‘Detroit’, and ‘Pain & Gain’. Trained at Juilliard, he balances studio franchises with stage and independent work.

Tyler James Williams

Born October 9, Tyler James Williams first gained attention on ‘Everybody Hates Chris’. He stars on ‘Abbott Elementary’ and has appeared in ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Dear White People’. Williams has notable voice roles in animation. His career spans network comedies, cable dramas, and studio features.

Caleb McLaughlin

Born October 13, Caleb McLaughlin is known for playing Lucas in ‘Stranger Things’. He made a lead-feature turn in ‘Concrete Cowboy’. McLaughlin began on Broadway as Young Simba in ‘The Lion King’. His work now spans TV ensembles, independent films, and voice acting.

Corey Hawkins

Born October 22, Corey Hawkins portrayed Dr. Dre in ‘Straight Outta Compton’. He starred in ’24: Legacy’ and appeared in ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Kong: Skull Island’. Hawkins leads stage productions alongside screen roles. Recent projects include prestige revivals and character-driven features.

Ncuti Gatwa

Born October 15, Ncuti Gatwa broke out with ‘Sex Education’. He portrays the Fifteenth Doctor on ‘Doctor Who’. Gatwa appeared in ‘Barbie’ and maintains active stage credits. His work crosses comedy, drama, and genre storytelling.

Jharrel Jerome

Born October 9, Jharrel Jerome drew wide recognition for ‘Moonlight’. He won major awards for ‘When They See Us’. Jerome stars in ‘I’m a Virgo’. His roles often center on coming-of-age and socially conscious narratives.

Chukwudi Iwuji

Born October 15, Chukwudi Iwuji earned acclaim with the Royal Shakespeare Company and as the High Evolutionary in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’. He appeared in ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ and the series ‘Peacemaker’. Iwuji trained at Yale and works across stage and screen. He is known for intense, complex portrayals.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim

Born October 1, Hakeem Kae-Kazim’s credits include ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and ‘Black Sails’. He appeared in ’24’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’. Kae-Kazim works across Hollywood, Nollywood, and South African productions. He continues to take on action, historical, and dramatic roles.

Lamman Rucker

Born October 6, Lamman Rucker is recognized for ‘Greenleaf’. His earlier credits include ‘Meet the Browns’ and ‘Why Did I Get Married?’. Rucker’s work spans network sitcoms, cable dramas, and independent films. He also participates in stage productions and community programs.

Snoop Dogg

Born October 20, Snoop Dogg’s acting work ranges from ‘Training Day’ to ‘Starsky & Hutch’. He hosts and produces unscripted series and documentaries. Snoop frequently takes voice roles in animation and family films. He also appears in sports, music, and cultural programming.

Usher

Born October 14, Usher has acted in ‘She’s All That’, ‘In the Mix’, and ‘Hustlers’. He has guest-starred on series and anchored music-focused screen projects. Usher contributes original tracks for productions featuring his appearances. He remains active across film cameos, TV hosting, and production.

A$AP Rocky

Born October 3, A$AP Rocky starred in ‘Dope’. He appears in documentaries and fashion-centered screen projects. Rocky contributes to soundtracks and music-driven films. His on-screen work includes cameo appearances and ensemble roles.

Ben Vereen

Born October 10, Ben Vereen is a Tony-winning performer with screen credits in ‘Roots’ and ‘All That Jazz’. He has guest roles across decades of television. Vereen’s career includes concerts filmed for TV and special presentations. He remains active in stage-to-screen productions and educational programming.

Lil Wayne

Born September 27, Lil Wayne has appeared in films, television, and documentaries. He makes frequent cameo and guest roles tied to music and sports programming. Wayne contributes original music to film and TV projects. His screen work spans ensemble appearances and reality segments.

Kunle Remi

Born October 18, Kunle Remi is known for Nollywood hit ‘Aníkúlápó’. He leads roles in romantic dramas, thrillers, and historical pieces. Remi works across streaming originals and festival-circulated features. His credits include television series and stage performances.

Jim Iyke

Born September 25, Jim Iyke is a prolific Nollywood star with hundreds of credits. His roles span drama, romance, and action titles. Iyke also produces and features in reality and documentary content. He remains active in theatrical releases and streaming distribution.

Wood Harris

Born October 17, Wood Harris is widely known for ‘The Wire’ and films like ‘Remember the Titans’ and ‘Creed’. He has portrayed leading and supporting roles in sports and biographical projects. Harris alternates between television drama and feature films. He trained at Northern Illinois University and NYU Tisch.

Avery Brooks

Born October 2, Avery Brooks led ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ as Captain Benjamin Sisko. He is a seasoned theater performer and director with deep Shakespearean credits. Brooks narrates documentaries and has recorded jazz albums. He has also taught acting and directing at Rutgers.

Omar Gooding

Born October 19, Omar Gooding’s roles span ‘Smart Guy’, ‘Baby Boy’, and the long-running sitcom ‘Family Time’. He has hosted sketch and variety programs. Gooding’s career covers sitcoms, dramas, and independent features. He continues to work in both film and television.

Bernie Mac

Born October 5, Bernie Mac headlined ‘The Bernie Mac Show’. He co-starred in the ‘Ocean’s’ trilogy and numerous studio comedies. Starting in stand-up, he transitioned to major ensemble films. His legacy includes tours, specials, and influential TV work.

Jay Pharoah

Born October 14, Jay Pharoah rose on ‘Saturday Night Live’. His film work includes ‘Unsane’ and the ensemble comedy ‘The Blackening’. Pharoah is known for high-fidelity impressions across politics and pop culture. He regularly voices animated characters and appears in sketch formats.

Nick Cannon

Born October 8, Nick Cannon has acted in ‘Drumline’ and ‘Roll Bounce’ and leads ‘Wild ’n Out’. He hosts ‘The Masked Singer’ and produces scripted and unscripted projects. Cannon began at Nickelodeon and expanded into film, TV, and music. His studio develops a range of youth and family content.

Jacob Artist

Born October 17, Jacob Artist played Jake on ‘Glee’. He has appeared in ‘Quantico’ and ‘The Arrangement’. Trained in dance, he works across musical TV and drama. His credits include streaming thrillers and anthology episodes.

Da’Vinchi

Born October 10, Da’Vinchi stars in ‘BMF’. He has appeared in ‘All American’ and ‘Grown-ish’. Da’Vinchi began in theater and commercials before network TV. His portfolio includes crime dramas and youth-focused series.

Thapelo Mokoena

Born October 21, Thapelo Mokoena is featured in ‘Trackers’ and ‘Bulletproof’. He founded a production company developing African stories. His credits span South African hits and international co-productions. Mokoena promotes skills development in regional film industries.

Michael Epps

Born September 29, Michael V. Epps plays Jake on ‘The Chi’. He has appeared across the ‘One Chicago’ franchise. Epps began acting as a teen and records music under the name MIKEY. He balances school, acting commitments, and entrepreneurship.

Jamie Hector

Born October 7, Jamie Hector is known for Marlo Stanfield in ‘The Wire’ and Detective Jerry Edgar in ‘Bosch’. He founded Moving Mountains to provide arts training. Hector’s work covers prestige drama, voice roles, and indie films. He frequently collaborates on New York–based productions.

Omar Benson Miller

Born October 7, Omar Benson Miller starred in HBO’s ‘Ballers’. He voiced Raphael in ‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. Earlier credits include ‘8 Mile’, ‘Transformers’, and ‘CSI: Miami’. Miller continues to appear in sports-adjacent comedies and family animation.

A$AP Ferg

Born October 20, A$AP Ferg’s acting credits include ‘Goldie’ and TV guest spots. As a rapper and designer, he launched the Traplord brand. He appears in docu-series and late-night segments. Ferg merges fashion, music, and screen appearances.

Ne-Yo

Born October 18, Ne-Yo has acted in ‘Red Tails’ and ‘Battle: Los Angeles’. He serves as a judge and mentor on dance and music series. A three-time Grammy winner, he writes and produces for major artists. His on-camera work often intersects with music-driven narratives.

Wyclef Jean

Born October 17, Wyclef Jean appears in scripted episodes, animation voice work, and music-led films. He composes and produces for screen projects. Wyclef participates in international arts education initiatives. His film and TV appearances bridge music and narrative work.

T-Pain

Born September 30, T-Pain’s screen work spans film cameos, voice roles, and reality competitions. He hosts creator-focused livestreams and podcasts with production elements. He appears in gaming and animation projects as a voice performer. T-Pain also licenses music widely for screen synchronization.

Shaggy

Born October 22, Shaggy’s acting credits include feature cameos and TV appearances. He produces music for film and television. The Jamaican-American star performs in live specials and award shows. His philanthropy includes fundraising for children’s healthcare in Jamaica.

Skepta

Born October 7, Skepta made his acting debut in the feature ‘Anti-Social’. He later led the short film ‘Tribal Mark’. Skepta also directs and produces screen projects, including music documentaries. His recent work expands into scripted storytelling and film production.

Chi McBride

Born September 23, Chi McBride is known for ‘Boston Public’, ‘Pushing Daisies’, and ‘Hawaii Five-0’. His film credits include ‘I, Robot’ and ‘Roll Bounce’. McBride often plays principals, detectives, and authority figures with dry wit. He works consistently across network TV and studio features.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Born September 29, Stephen “tWitch” Boss appeared in ‘Step Up’ films and served as a resident DJ and producer on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. He acted in ‘Magic Mike XXL’ and took on guest spots across scripted TV. Boss competed on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and returned as an all-star and judge. His screen career blended dance performance with supporting roles and hosting.

Share your favorite Libra from the list—or the one we missed—in the comments!