Black Actresses Who Came From Poverty

The journey to Hollywood stardom is often paved with immense challenges and financial instability. Many of the most acclaimed Black actresses in the entertainment industry began their lives facing extreme poverty and significant socioeconomic hardships. These women overcame obstacles such as homelessness and food insecurity to achieve global recognition for their artistic talents. Their stories highlight a remarkable resilience that often informs the depth and emotional range of their on-screen performances.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis grew up in Central Falls in Rhode Island living in abject poverty. She has spoken openly about childhood experiences involving hunger and living in rat-infested apartments that were often condemned. Davis and her siblings sometimes had to wrap themselves in sheets at night to protect against pests. She eventually attended Juilliard and became one of the few performers to achieve EGOT status.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a teenage single mother. She spent her early years living on a farm without running water or electricity. Her grandmother often made her dresses out of potato sacks which led to ridicule from other local children. Winfrey overcame this difficult start to become a media mogul and an Academy Award-nominated actress for ‘The Color Purple’.

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish experienced a turbulent childhood in South Central Los Angeles after her mother suffered a severe brain injury. She entered the foster care system and struggled with literacy until her high school years. Haddish later lived in her car while trying to launch her career in comedy and acting. Her breakthrough role in ‘Girls Trip’ propelled her to international fame.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry moved to New York City with very little money to pursue an acting career. She quickly ran out of funds and had to live in a homeless shelter for a brief period. Her mother decided not to send her money during this time which forced Berry to become self-reliant. She persevered to become the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson moved to Los Angeles with her young son and only several hundred dollars in her bank account. She worked multiple jobs including a receptionist gig and a singing waiter position on a cruise ship to make ends meet. Henson lived in a small apartment while auditioning for roles in a competitive industry. She eventually landed her breakout role in ‘Baby Boy’ and became a household name with ‘Empire’.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige grew up in the Schlobohm housing projects in Yonkers in New York. Her childhood was marked by a surrounding environment of violence and financial instability. She used music as an escape from her difficult reality before transitioning into a successful acting career. Blige received two Academy Award nominations for her work in the film ‘Mudbound’.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg faced significant financial struggles as a single mother living in New York City before her big break. She worked as a bricklayer and a mortuary cosmetologist to support her daughter while on welfare. Her one-woman show on Broadway caught the attention of director Steven Spielberg. He cast her in ‘The Color Purple’ which launched her legendary career in film and television.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith was raised in a rough neighborhood in Baltimore by her mother and grandmother. Her mother struggled with drug addiction which exposed young Pinkett Smith to the harsh realities of the city streets. She attended the Baltimore School for the Arts where she honed her craft despite her challenging home life. She later moved to Hollywood and secured roles in ‘A Different World’ and ‘Menace II Society’.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson grew up in a squat on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Her family lived in an abandoned building that lacked basic plumbing and electricity for many years. They installed their own water lines and rebuilt the apartment structure by hand. Dawson was discovered sitting on her front porch which led to her casting in the film ‘Kids’.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson was raised in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. She grew up singing in her church choir while her family lived a modest working-class life. Tragedy and hardship shaped her early years before she gained national attention on a reality singing competition. She went on to win an Academy Award for her debut film role in ‘Dreamgirls’.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris was raised by a single mother in a council flat in Finsbury Park in London. Her mother worked as a screenwriter and supported them on a low income while Harris attended acting classes. She worked hard to secure a place at Cambridge University despite her background. Harris has since starred in major franchises like James Bond and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt was born on a cotton plantation in South Carolina and faced rejection due to her mixed-race heritage. She lived in extreme poverty and was often mistreated by family members before moving to New York City. Kitt worked in a factory as a teenager while struggling to find her path in the arts. She eventually became an international star known for her unique singing voice and role as Catwoman.

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker grew up in the slums of St. Louis where she cleaned houses and babysat to help support her family. She experienced homelessness as a young adolescent and danced on street corners for money. Baker eventually moved to France where she became the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture. She used her wealth and platform to support the Civil Rights Movement.

Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Nevis who worked as a carpenter and a domestic worker. Her family struggled financially during the Great Depression and she sold shopping bags on street corners to earn extra money. Tyson began her career as a model before breaking barriers in television and film. She became known for portraying strong Black women in projects like ‘Sounder’.

Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters was born in Chester in Pennsylvania into extreme poverty and difficult circumstances. She grew up in a dangerous neighborhood and often moved between relatives to survive. Waters started working as a cleaning lady and a dishwasher before her singing talent was discovered. She became the first African American to star in her own television show.

Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel was the youngest of thirteen children born to former slaves. Her family faced constant financial hardship and moved frequently throughout the Midwest. She worked as a maid and a washerwoman to support herself while pursuing entertainment gigs. McDaniel made history as the first African American to win an Academy Award for ‘Gone with the Wind’.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer grew up in Alabama as one of seven children in a low-income household. Her mother worked as a maid to provide for the large family and emphasized the importance of education. Spencer worked behind the scenes in casting before landing small roles in films. Her perseverance paid off when she won an Oscar for her performance in ‘The Help’.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique grew up in Baltimore in a strict household where money was often tight. She worked as a customer service representative while trying to break into the stand-up comedy circuit. Her raw humor about her life experiences resonated with audiences and led to television opportunities. She later delivered a powerful dramatic performance in ‘Precious’ that earned her an Academy Award.

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe was raised in Harlem and Bed-Stuy by a mother who sang in the subway to support the family. They lived in low-income housing and faced significant financial insecurity throughout her childhood. Sidibe was attending college and working as a receptionist when she auditioned for ‘Precious’. Her debut performance garnered an Academy Award nomination.

Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones struggled for years as a stand-up comedian while working minimum wage jobs to survive. She worked at UPS and as a waitress while living in an apartment with no furniture. Jones often faced rejection in the industry but continued to hone her craft on stage. Her persistence eventually caught the attention of ‘Saturday Night Live’ producers.

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino struggled with functional illiteracy and poverty as a young single mother in High Point in North Carolina. She faced foreclosure and financial ruin even after winning a major singing competition. Her personal struggles were documented publicly as she fought to stabilize her life. Barrino successfully transitioned to acting with a lead role in ‘The Color Purple’.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. She worked in the healthcare industry and pursued a nursing degree while acting was just a dream. Polanco struggled with body image and financial limitations before landing an audition for ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She was working in a hospital laundry room when she got her big break.

Diane Guerrero

Diane Guerrero grew up in Boston and returned home from school one day to find her parents had been deported. She remained in the United States and relied on the kindness of friends to survive without a stable family unit. Guerrero worked in law offices while trying to build an acting career. She is best known for her roles in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Jane the Virgin’.

Cardi B

Cardi B grew up in the Highbridge neighborhood of the South Bronx and Washington Heights. She worked as a cashier in a supermarket before turning to stripping to escape domestic abuse and poverty. She used social media to build a brand that eventually led to a massive music and acting career. Her film credits include ‘Hustlers’ and ‘F9’.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj emigrated from Trinidad to Queens in New York where her family lived in a single room. Her father struggled with drug addiction which created a volatile and financially unstable home environment. She worked various service jobs including a stint at Red Lobster where she was fired for discourtesy. Minaj eventually became a global superstar and appeared in films like ‘The Other Woman’.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel grew up in a council estate in Tower Hamlets in London. She was raised by a single mother and began performing poetry at open mic nights. Coel worked as a cleaner and sales assistant to support herself through drama school. She utilized her personal experiences to create the critically acclaimed series ‘I May Destroy You’.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright moved from Guyana to London as a child and her family struggled to adapt to the high cost of living. She attended a local school in Tottenham and became inspired to act after seeing the film ‘Akeelah and the Bee’. Wright battled depression and financial uncertainty while trying to secure roles. She achieved worldwide fame as Shuri in ‘Black Panther’.

Tasha Smith

Tasha Smith grew up in Camden in New Jersey with a twin sister and a single mother. The environment was tough and Smith engaged in ill-advised activities to survive before finding her faith and purpose. She moved to California and worked her way into comedy and acting. Smith is well known for her roles in Tyler Perry films and ‘Empire’.

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd faced homelessness and lived in her car while trying to make it as a comedian in Los Angeles. She worked as a legal secretary by day and performed stand-up comedy by night. Shepherd faced eviction notices frequently before landing regular television work. She eventually became a co-host on ‘The View’ and starred in numerous sitcoms.

Loni Love

Loni Love grew up in the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects in Detroit. She worked on an assembly line at a car manufacturing plant to earn money for college. Love obtained an engineering degree but left her corporate career to pursue stand-up comedy. She is now a well-known television host and actress.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks grew up in South Carolina in a modest household where her father was a deacon and her mother was a teacher. She faced financial limitations but was determined to study the arts at the Juilliard School. Brooks often relied on scholarships and support to complete her education. She gained fame as Taystee in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and starred in ‘The Color Purple’.

Jill Scott

Jill Scott was raised by her mother and grandmother in a working-class neighborhood in North Philadelphia. She worked various jobs including stints in retail and construction to make ends meet. Scott performed poetry while struggling to pay her bills before being discovered by The Roots. She has since starred in the ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ film franchise.

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu grew up in Dallas where her mother worked multiple jobs as an actress to support the family. Money was often scarce and Badu helped raise her siblings while nurturing her artistic talents. She waited tables and taught drama and dance to children to survive. She made her film debut in ‘Blues Brothers 2000’ and starred in ‘The Cider House Rules’.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah was raised in Newark and East Orange in New Jersey by a hardworking mother who was a teacher. Her parents divorced and the family lived in a modest apartment while her mother worked two jobs. Latifah worked at Burger King before launching her rap career which segued into acting. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role in ‘Chicago’.

Eve

Eve lived in the Mill Creek housing projects in Philadelphia during her early years. She worked as a stripper for a short period to support herself before focusing entirely on music. Her determination led to a successful rap career and a transition into acting. She starred in the ‘Barbershop’ films and her own sitcom ‘Eve’.

Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim was kicked out of her house as a teenager and lived on the streets of Brooklyn. She stayed with various friends and boyfriends to avoid sleeping outside. The Notorious B.I.G. eventually took her under his wing and helped launch her career. She has appeared in films such as ‘She’s All That’ and ‘You Got Served’.

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge was born in Cleveland to a mother who worked as a domestic servant. She performed with her sister in a song-and-dance act during the Great Depression to help feed the family. Dandridge faced severe racial prejudice and financial exploitation throughout her career. She became the first African American woman nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award for ‘Carmen Jones’.

Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee grew up in Harlem where her father worked as a waiter and a porter. Her family struggled against the economic hardships of the era but prioritized education and the arts. Dee joined the American Negro Theatre and worked tirelessly to build a career on stage and screen. She was an Oscar nominee for her role in ‘American Gangster’.

Esther Rolle

Esther Rolle was born in Pompano Beach in Florida as one of eighteen children in a farming family. Her parents were Bahamian immigrants who worked the land to provide for their large brood. Rolle worked in the garment district in New York City while pursuing theater roles. She is best remembered for her portrayal of a strong matriarch in ‘Good Times’.

Pearl Bailey

Pearl Bailey was born in Newport News in Virginia and experienced a transient childhood. She made her amateur singing debut at age fifteen and worked in coal-mining town cafes. Bailey danced and sang in clubs to survive before making it to Broadway. She won a Tony Award for the all-Black production of ‘Hello, Dolly!’.

Juanita Moore

Juanita Moore moved to Los Angeles as a teenager and worked in the chorus line at the Cotton Club. She was a film extra and performed in local theater while struggling to find substantial roles for Black women. Moore faced financial difficulties common to Black actors of the segregation era. She delivered a heartbreaking performance in ‘Imitation of Life’ which earned her an Oscar nomination.

Marla Gibbs

Marla Gibbs worked as a reservations agent for United Airlines before landing her big break. She continued to keep her job at the airline during the first few seasons of ‘The Jeffersons’ because she feared the acting work would not last. Gibbs raised her children as a single mother in Detroit before moving to Los Angeles. She became a television icon for her role as Florence Johnston.

Isabel Sanford

Isabel Sanford was born in New York City and worked as a cleaning woman to support her family. She struggled to find acting work and often relied on welfare assistance during difficult times. Sanford moved to California on a bus with her children to pursue a career in Hollywood. She became the first African American actress to win a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Diahann Carroll

Diahann Carroll grew up in Harlem where her parents struggled to provide a better life. She began modeling at a young age to help support herself and entered talent contests. Carroll faced intense racism in the industry but refused to play stereotypical roles. She broke ground as the lead in the television series ‘Julia’.

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