Black Actors You Didn’t Know Were Capricorn

From December 22 to January 19, Capricorn season quietly claims a surprising number of heavy-hitters on screen—men whose résumés stretch from prestige dramas to blockbuster franchises. Below are Black male actors born under the sea-goat sign, presented together and ordered by birth date within Capricorn season, with quick, useful snapshots of what they’re best known for and where you’ve likely seen them.

Omar J. Dorsey

Born December 22, he’s widely recognized for ‘Queen Sugar’ and roles in films like ‘Selma’ and ‘Django Unchained’. Dorsey’s television credits also include guest arcs on ‘Eastbound & Down’ and ‘Ray Donovan’. He frequently appears in historical and Southern-set dramas. His supporting turns often connect to real-life figures and events.

Clarence Gilyard Jr.

Born December 24, Gilyard became a household name through ‘Matlock’ and ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’. On the big screen, he’s remembered for ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Die Hard’. He later taught theater and directed stage productions at the university level. His career bridged network TV leads, memorable film villains, and academic mentorship.

Amaury Nolasco

Born December 24, Nolasco broke out as Fernando Sucre on ‘Prison Break’. He’s appeared in ‘Transformers’ and ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’. Other series credits include ‘Work It’, ‘Telenovela’, and recurring roles across police procedurals. He frequently alternates between action ensembles and comedic supporting parts.

John Amos

Born December 27, Amos starred as James Evans Sr. on ‘Good Times’ and portrayed the adult Kunta Kinte in ‘Roots’. His film credits include ‘Coming to America’ and ‘Die Hard 2’. He’s maintained a long stage career in addition to screen work. Amos also writes and performs original one-man shows.

Jay Ellis

Born December 27, Ellis is known for ‘Insecure’ and the blockbuster ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. Earlier TV work includes ‘The Game’ and guest roles across network dramas. He has produced short-form projects and brand campaigns alongside acting. His filmography mixes romantic dramedy with action-leaning features.

Denzel Washington

Born December 28, Washington is a two-time Oscar winner with signature films like ‘Glory’, ‘Training Day’, and ‘Malcolm X’. He has directed features including ‘Antwone Fisher’ and ‘Fences’. On Broadway, he led revivals of ‘Fences’ and ‘The Iceman Cometh’. His career spans leading roles across crime, biography, and historical drama.

André Holland

Born December 28, Holland earned wide notice with ‘Moonlight’ and the series ‘The Knick’. Additional credits include ’42’, ‘Selma’, and ‘American Horror Story: Roanoke’. He has extensive stage experience, including Broadway productions. Holland frequently works in character-driven dramas with historical or musical elements.

Mekhi Phifer

Born December 29, Phifer’s breakout came with ‘Clockers’, followed by ‘8 Mile’ and ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’. Many viewers know him as Dr. Greg Pratt on ‘ER’. He’s also appeared in ‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’ and the ‘Divergent’ series. Phifer has produced projects and participated in televised poker events.

Tyrese Gibson

Born December 30, Gibson is a core player in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise as Roman Pearce. He also appears in the ‘Transformers’ films. His early dramatic lead arrived with ‘Baby Boy’. Beyond acting, he releases music and authors books.

Daniel Sunjata

Born December 30, Sunjata led ‘Rescue Me’ and co-starred in ‘Graceland’. Film work includes ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. He’s appeared on Broadway and in limited-series thrillers. His roles often track law enforcement, intelligence, and high-pressure workplaces.

Ricky Whittle

Born December 31, Whittle gained U.S. recognition on ‘The 100’ before headlining ‘American Gods’. He previously worked in UK series such as ‘Hollyoaks’ and ‘Mistresses’. He continues to book genre-forward streaming projects. His filmography spans fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary drama.

Morris Chestnut

Born January 1, Chestnut’s debut was Ricky in ‘Boyz n the Hood’. He anchors ‘The Best Man’ film series and its follow-up ‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’. On TV, he’s led ‘Rosewood’ and co-starred in ‘The Resident’. He balances network leads with ensemble film roles.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Born January 2, Gooding Jr. won an Oscar for ‘Jerry Maguire’. He broke out with ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and later starred in ‘Men of Honor’ and ‘Radio’. On television, he portrayed O. J. Simpson in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story’. He’s worked in studio comedies, biopics, and sports dramas.

Taye Diggs

Born January 2, Diggs made his name on Broadway with ‘Rent’ and on screen in ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ and ‘Brown Sugar’. On TV, he starred in ‘Private Practice’ and ‘All American’. He’s also published children’s books tied to his performing background. His screen roles frequently leverage musical and stage experience.

Chris Spencer

Born January 2, Spencer is an actor–comedian with credits spanning ‘The Jamie Foxx Show’, ‘Significant Others’, and stand-up specials. He’s written and produced for awards shows and comedy series. Film roles include supporting turns in studio comedies and indie projects. He regularly collaborates as a punch-up writer and showrunner.

Marrese Crump

Born January 4, Crump is a martial artist–actor seen in ‘Tom-Yum-Goong 2’ and action projects with international fight choreography. He’s worked as a fight trainer and stunt coordinator for major features. U.S. audiences have also seen him in television guest roles. His screen work centers on combat-heavy characters and villain turns.

Jason Mitchell

Born January 5, Mitchell’s breakout was Eazy-E in ‘Straight Outta Compton’. He’s appeared in ‘Mudbound’, ‘Detroit’, and ‘Kong: Skull Island’. On TV, he featured in early seasons of ‘The Chi’. His roles frequently intersect with historical or ensemble-driven storytelling.

Guy Torry

Born January 5, Torry is an actor–comedian known for ‘American History X’ and ‘Life’. He has appeared in numerous stand-up specials and sketch series. Torry also created and hosted popular comedy showcases in Los Angeles. His filmography blends dramatic supporting roles with comedic work.

Robert Ri’chard

Born January 7, Ri’chard starred in Nickelodeon’s ‘Cousin Skeeter’ and UPN’s ‘One on One’. His film roles include ‘Coach Carter’ and ‘House of Wax’. He won a Daytime Emmy for ‘In His Father’s Shoes’. He continues to appear in TV movies and independent features.

Marcus Scribner

Born January 7, Scribner played Andre Johnson Jr. on ‘Black-ish’ and continued the role in ‘Grown-ish’. He started as a teen and grew with the franchise across multiple seasons. Voice work includes family-focused animated projects. He has moved into producing and youth advocacy.

Nick Sagar

Born January 7, Sagar is known for ‘The Princess Switch’ films and roles in series like ‘Queen of the South’ and ‘Shadowhunters’. He has appeared in recurring arcs across U.S. and UK productions. His credits include TV movies and streaming rom-coms. Sagar often plays romantic leads and agile supporting characters.

Ron Cephas Jones

Born January 8, Jones earned acclaim for ‘This Is Us’, winning multiple Emmys. He appeared in ‘Luke Cage’ and ‘Mr. Robot’, with film credits in ‘He Got Game’ and ‘Dolemite Is My Name’. A veteran of the stage, he performed extensively with New York companies. His later work included mentoring young performers and appearing opposite his daughter Jasmine.

Omari Hardwick

Born January 9, Hardwick led ‘Power’ as James “Ghost” St. Patrick. Film credits include ‘For Colored Girls’, ‘Kick-Ass’, and ‘Army of the Dead’. He has also appeared in ‘Being Mary Jane’, ‘Saved’, and ‘Dark Blue’. Hardwick records spoken-word projects and collaborates with musicians.

Deon Cole

Born January 9, Cole is a stand-up and writer turned actor known for ‘Black-ish’ and ‘Grown-ish’. He’s headlined multiple comedy specials on major streamers. Cole has appeared in ‘Angie Tribeca’ and features like ‘You People’. He continues to tour while maintaining recurring TV roles.

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù

Born January 9, Dìrísù is best known for ‘Gangs of London’ and ‘His House’. Additional credits include ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ and period drama turns in British television. He trained with the National Youth Theatre in the UK. His screen work spans action, horror, and prestige drama.

Rockmond Dunbar

Born January 11, Dunbar is widely recognized for ‘Prison Break’, ‘Sons of Anarchy’, and ‘9-1-1’. He previously starred in the series adaptation of ‘Soul Food’. Guest and recurring roles include ‘The Mentalist’ and ‘The Path’. His career covers network, cable, and streaming dramas.

LL Cool J

Born January 14, LL Cool J anchored ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ for many seasons. Film credits include ‘Deep Blue Sea’, ‘Any Given Sunday’, and ‘S.W.A.T.’. Earlier TV work featured ‘In the House’. He continues to host and produce music-related specials alongside acting.

Carl Weathers

Born January 14, Weathers became iconic as Apollo Creed in the ‘Rocky’ films and later appeared in ‘Predator’ and ‘Action Jackson’. He reached new audiences with ‘The Mandalorian’, acting in and directing episodes. Voice roles include ‘Toy Story’ spin-offs. His career spanned film, TV, and directing.

Richard T. Jones

Born January 16, Jones is known for ‘The Rookie’ and films like ‘The Wood’ and ‘Why Did I Get Married?’. His TV credits span ‘Judging Amy’, ‘Hawaii Five-0’, and ‘Narcos’. He frequently plays authority figures and mentors. Jones has produced faith-driven and independent projects.

James Earl Jones

Born January 17, Jones’s voice performances defined Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ and Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’. On stage, he’s a multiple-Tony winner. Film credits include ‘Coming to America’, ‘Field of Dreams’, and ‘Dr. Strangelove’. He is among the most decorated American actors across mediums.

Keith Robinson

Born January 17, Robinson’s credits include ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘This Christmas’, and the series ‘Saints & Sinners’. He originally broke in via ‘Power Rangers Time Force’. He’s also an R&B singer with recorded projects. His screen work spans holiday films, dramas, and thrillers.

Jesse L. Martin

Born January 18, Martin is a longtime ‘Law & Order’ star and later led ‘The Flash’ ensemble. He originated roles in Broadway’s ‘Rent’ and has returned to stage productions. Other series work includes ‘Ally McBeal’ and ‘The Irrational’. He often portrays detectives, fathers, and mentors

David Gyasi

Born January 2, Gyasi’s films include ‘Cloud Atlas’ and ‘Interstellar’. On TV, he’s featured in ‘Containment’, ‘Carnival Row’, and ‘The Diplomat’. He alternates between U.S. and UK productions. His roles span fantasy, sci-fi, and geopolitical thrillers.

Shawn Wayans

Born January 19, Wayans co-created and starred in ‘The Wayans Bros.’ and appeared in ‘White Chicks’ and ‘Scary Movie’. He’s written and produced sketch and feature comedies. Earlier credits include ‘In Living Color’. He remains active in stand-up and development for screen comedies.

Share your favorite Capricorn performances—and who we still missed—in the comments!