African-American Actresses Who Are the Best On-Screen Criers

Emotional authenticity is a cornerstone of great acting and requires a performer to access deep levels of vulnerability. These actresses have become famous for their ability to deliver moving and believable crying scenes that anchor the narrative stakes of their projects. From subtle teardrops to gut-wrenching sobs they bring a human element to the screen that captures the audience’s empathy. Their work often defines the most memorable moments in contemporary cinema and television history.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is celebrated for her ability to convey deep emotional pain through her performances in both film and theater. Her role in ‘Fences’ is often cited as one of the most powerful displays of grief in modern cinema. She manages to balance physical vulnerability with a commanding presence during her most tearful moments. This raw honesty has become a trademark of her work and has earned her multiple prestigious awards. Her scenes in ‘The Help’ also demonstrate her mastery of the silent tear and internal struggle.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is known for her intense and soulful depictions of strong women facing extreme hardship. In the biopic ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ she portrayed a range of emotions that included both terrifying fear and heartrending sadness. Her performances often feature a mix of resilience and profound emotional release that resonates with viewers. She has a unique way of using her entire body to communicate the weight of a character’s sorrow. Her work in ‘Waiting to Exhale’ remains a cultural touchstone for cinematic crying scenes.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson consistently delivers high energy and high emotion in her dramatic roles. Her performance in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ showcased a tender and mournful side of her acting range. On the series ‘Empire’ she navigated complex family dynamics that frequently required intense emotional outbursts. She is praised for her ability to make a character’s pain feel immediate and authentic to the audience. Her recent work in ‘The Color Purple’ continues this tradition of powerful and tearful storytelling.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her emotionally taxing role in ‘Monster’s Ball’. In this film she portrayed a woman grappling with immense loss and despair through several devastating scenes. Her ability to tap into raw and uninhibited grief has defined many of the highlights of her career. She often utilizes a naturalistic style that emphasizes the physical toll of sadness. This emotional depth was also evident in her work in ‘Things We Lost in the Fire’.

Regina King

Regina King has built a career on delivering grounded and emotionally resonant performances across various genres. Her Academy Award winning turn in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ featured moments of quiet but intense maternal sorrow. She is skilled at conveying a character’s internal life through subtle facial expressions and realistic crying. In the series ‘Watchmen’ she effectively combined action with heavy emotional beats. Her versatility allows her to move seamlessly between lighthearted roles and heavy dramatic sequences.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington gained widespread recognition for her role as Olivia Pope on the long running series ‘Scandal’. Throughout the show she frequently delivered high stakes emotional performances that included iconic crying scenes. She is known for her expressive facial movements and her ability to show a character breaking down under pressure. Her film work in ‘Ray’ and ‘The Last King of Scotland’ also highlights her capacity for deep dramatic expression. Fans often discuss her unique ability to portray a character struggling to maintain composure.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer brings a sense of warmth and humanity to her dramatic roles which makes her emotional scenes particularly moving. In ‘The Help’ she balanced humor with moments of poignant vulnerability that resonated with international audiences. Her performance in ‘Fruitvale Station’ showcased her ability to depict the overwhelming grief of a mother. She often uses a restrained but powerful approach to crying that feels very grounded in reality. This emotional authenticity has made her one of the most respected figures in Hollywood today.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson first showcased her incredible emotional range in the film adaptation of ‘Dreamgirls’. Her rendition of ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ involved a powerful combination of singing and visceral crying. She continued to display this talent in ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ where she played a character dealing with systemic injustice. Her ability to channel deep sadness into her vocal and physical performances is a key element of her acting style. She often portrays characters who find strength through their emotional releases.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard is a veteran actress known for her incredible poise and deep emotional reservoir. In the film ‘Clemency’ she delivered a haunting performance that relied heavily on her ability to convey internal trauma. Her crying scenes are often characterized by a sense of dignity and profound sadness that feels deeply personal. She has been nominated for numerous awards due to her consistent ability to ground even the most heightened dramas. Her work in ‘Passion Fish’ is another example of her mastery of the dramatic craft.

Cicely Tyson

The late Cicely Tyson was a pioneer who brought immense grace and emotional depth to every role she played. In ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’ she portrayed the lifelong journey of a woman with incredible sensitivity. Her crying scenes were often marked by a sense of historical weight and personal resilience. She had a legendary ability to communicate complex feelings through her eyes and subtle shifts in her demeanor. Her presence in ‘Sounder’ provided some of the most enduring emotional images in cinema history.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg delivered one of the most memorable dramatic debuts in history with her role in ‘The Color Purple’. Her portrayal of Celie required her to navigate a wide spectrum of trauma and eventual joy through many tearful moments. She is able to transition from comedic timing to deep dramatic sorrow with remarkable ease. In ‘Ghost’ she provided an emotional anchor that helped the film connect with millions of viewers. Her legacy includes a variety of roles that showcase her unique and effective approach to on-screen emotion.

Kimberly Elise

Kimberly Elise is frequently recognized for her ability to handle extremely heavy and tragic subject matter. Her performance in ‘Beloved’ required her to access intense levels of grief and psychological turmoil. She is known for her uninhibited crying which prioritizes emotional truth over traditional Hollywood aesthetics. In ‘For Colored Girls’ she once again proved her capacity for delivering gut-wrenching dramatic sequences. Many critics consider her one of the most underrated dramatic actresses of her generation.

Tichina Arnold

Tichina Arnold is widely known for her comedic timing but she also possesses a powerful ability to deliver dramatic crying scenes. In the series ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ she often used her expressive face to convey the frustrations and fears of a mother. Her work in various television movies has allowed her to showcase a more serious and tearful side of her acting. She can move an audience to tears just as effectively as she can make them laugh. This versatility has made her a mainstay in the entertainment industry for decades.

Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine has a distinctive voice and a gentle screen presence that makes her emotional scenes feel very intimate. In ‘Waiting to Exhale’ she played a character whose journey was marked by both loneliness and hopeful realization. Her crying style often feels very relatable and comes from a place of deep sincerity. She has appeared in a vast number of films and television shows where she serves as the emotional heart of the story. Her ability to convey sadness through her soulful eyes is a recurring theme in her work.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett began her career as a child actress and has grown into a formidable dramatic lead. Her performance in ‘Eve’s Bayou’ showed an early aptitude for complex and tearful storytelling. More recently in ‘Lovecraft Country’ she delivered several high intensity scenes that required significant emotional stamina. She is known for her ability to maintain a character’s strength while also showing their total emotional collapse. Her commitment to raw and honest portrayals has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated following.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks first gained fame for her role as Taystee in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Her character’s journey through the prison system involved some of the most heartbreaking and tearful moments in the series. She has since moved into film with a powerful performance in the musical version of ‘The Color Purple’. Her crying scenes are noted for their authenticity and the way they capture the nuances of grief and injustice. She brings a theater-trained discipline to her emotional work that is very effective on screen.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Da’Vine Joy Randolph has quickly become a standout performer in both comedy and drama. Her Academy Award winning role in ‘The Holdovers’ featured a deeply moving portrayal of a mother in mourning. She uses a quiet and grounded approach to crying that emphasizes the heavy weight of loss. Her ability to hold the screen with a single tearful expression is a testament to her acting skill. She continues to choose roles that allow her to showcase this significant emotional range.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique delivered a career defining performance in the film ‘Precious’ as a terrifying and troubled mother. Her emotional outbursts in the final scenes of the movie were both disturbing and deeply tragic. She showcased a level of raw vulnerability that few performers are able to reach on screen. This role earned her an Academy Award and solidified her reputation as a powerful dramatic actress. Her ability to channel intense anger and sorrow simultaneously creates a very compelling viewing experience.

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe made a massive impact with her debut role in ‘Precious’ playing the titular character. She navigated the character’s traumatic life with a performance that was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her crying scenes felt incredibly real and avoided any sense of artifice or exaggeration. Since her debut she has continued to take on roles that require a high degree of emotional intelligence. She is praised for her ability to convey a character’s inner strength even during their most tearful moments.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is known for her dignified and deeply felt performances in historical dramas. Her role in ‘King Richard’ showcased her ability to play a supportive yet firm mother facing various challenges. She delivers emotional scenes with a precision that makes every tear feel earned and significant. In ‘The Help’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ she also contributed to the overall emotional weight of the films. Her work is characterized by a steady and consistent dedication to dramatic truth.

Lynn Whitfield

Lynn Whitfield is a veteran of the screen who brings a sense of elegance and intensity to her roles. In ‘The Josephine Baker Story’ she captured the highs and lows of the legendary performer’s life with great skill. Her crying scenes often involve a sophisticated layer of suppressed emotion that eventually boils over. She is particularly effective at playing characters who must maintain a public facade while suffering privately. Her performance in ‘Eve’s Bayou’ remains one of the highlights of her long and successful career.

Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis is often celebrated for her vibrant and energetic performances but she is also a master of the dramatic cry. Known as a matriarch of Hollywood she has played numerous roles that involve heavy emotional stakes. In films like ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ she provided a grounded and tearful supporting performance. She is able to tap into a very relatable form of grief that connects with many different audiences. Her longevity in the industry is a testament to her ability to handle both comedy and intense drama.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer has been working in the industry since she was a child and has shown a consistent growth in her dramatic abilities. Her breakout role in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ featured several moving scenes of a young girl overcoming her fears. More recently in ‘Alice’ and ‘Nope’ she has demonstrated a more mature and complex emotional range. She is known for her ability to stay present in the moment and let her emotions flow naturally. Her crying scenes often feel very spontaneous and deeply connected to the character’s immediate situation.

Zendaya

Zendaya has transitioned from a teen star to a highly respected dramatic actress through her work in ‘Euphoria’. Her portrayal of Rue includes some of the most harrowing and tearful depictions of addiction ever seen on television. She is praised for her ability to show the physical and mental exhaustion that accompanies deep emotional distress. Her performance in ‘Malcolm and Marie’ also relied heavily on her capacity for intense and prolonged emotional conflict. She has a unique ability to make the audience feel the exact weight of her character’s pain.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph has had a long and varied career that includes iconic roles on Broadway and television. Her recent success in ‘Abbott Elementary’ features moments of maternal warmth and occasional tearful realization. Throughout her career she has shown an ability to ground her characters in a very believable emotional reality. In the original production of ‘Dreamgirls’ she set a high standard for dramatic and musical storytelling. She remains a powerful force in the industry who can deliver a moving performance in any genre.

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino first won over audiences with her raw emotional singing on television. She translated that same vulnerability to the screen in the film ‘The Color Purple’. Her crying scenes are noted for their deep soulfulness and the way they reflect her personal life experiences. She brings a level of intensity to her acting that feels very urgent and unrefined in the best way possible. Her ability to connect her voice with her emotional state makes her a unique and powerful performer.

Erika Alexander

Erika Alexander is perhaps best known for her role on ‘Living Single’ but she has a very strong dramatic foundation. Her work in ‘Get Out’ and ‘American Fiction’ shows her ability to play characters with a lot of internal depth. She can deliver a tearful scene with a sense of realism that avoids being overly theatrical. Her performances often feature a subtle complexity that reveals more about the character over time. She continues to be a versatile and reliable presence in both television and film.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe made a significant impact on the film world with her roles in ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. In ‘Moonlight’ she provided a compassionate and tearful anchor for the main character during his formative years. She has a natural ability to convey empathy and sadness through her gentle screen presence. Her performances are often marked by a sense of grace and a deep understanding of human connection. She continues to seek out roles that challenge her and allow her to explore new emotional territories.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson is known for her modern and intellectual approach to her dramatic characters. In ‘Passing’ she delivered a restrained but emotionally charged performance that required a lot of internal crying. She is skilled at showing the cracks in a character’s armor as they struggle with their identity and circumstances. Her work in the ‘Creed’ franchise also features moments of significant emotional release and vulnerability. She is one of the most sought after actresses today due to her range and consistent quality.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris first stood out in ‘Mad Men’ and has since become a major star in films like ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. Her performance in that film was highlighted by her ability to convey deep family bonds through tearful interactions. She has a very expressive face that makes her characters’ feelings immediately clear to the viewer. In ‘Chi-Raq’ she also demonstrated a capacity for high stakes emotional delivery. Her ability to balance strength and sorrow makes her a very compelling actress to watch.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall has successfully bridged the gap between slapstick comedy and heavy drama throughout her career. Her performance in ‘Support the Girls’ showcased a more nuanced and tearful side of her acting talent. She is able to portray the everyday frustrations and small heartbreaks of a character with great authenticity. In ‘The Hate U Give’ she delivered a powerful maternal performance that included several moving crying scenes. Her ability to surprise audiences with her dramatic depth is one of her greatest strengths.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan is a staple of romantic dramas and has delivered many iconic tearful scenes in her career. Her work in ‘Love and Basketball’ captured the emotional highs and lows of a young woman chasing her dreams. She is known for her ability to portray vulnerability in a way that feels very intimate and sincere. In ‘The Best Man’ and its sequels she continued to show her mastery of the dramatic form. Her crying scenes are often very effective because they feel so deeply rooted in the character’s relationships.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union has evolved from a teen movie star to a powerful dramatic lead and producer. Her performance in the series ‘Being Mary Jane’ required her to navigate a constant stream of emotional challenges and tearful moments. She is very effective at portraying the pressure of trying to have it all while dealing with personal loss. In the film ‘The Inspection’ she delivered a much darker and more complex emotional performance. She continues to use her platform to tell stories that require significant emotional honesty.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is primarily known for her comedic roles but she has shown great dramatic range in recent years. On ‘Black-ish’ she frequently had moments where she had to balance humor with serious emotional beats. Her performance in ‘The High Note’ allowed her to explore the frustrations and tears of a seasoned professional. She has a very expressive and mobile face that can convey sadness in a very relatable way. Her dramatic work often feels very grounded and human which helps her connect with the audience.

Anika Noni Rose

Anika Noni Rose is a Tony Award winning actress with a very powerful screen and stage presence. In ‘Dreamgirls’ she provided a vital emotional component to the group dynamic. Her performance in the film ‘For Colored Girls’ was also marked by several intense and tearful sequences. She has a very clear and resonant crying style that emphasizes the character’s inner strength. Her ability to combine her musical talents with her dramatic skills makes her a very unique performer.

Quvenzhané Wallis

Quvenzhané Wallis became the youngest person ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’. Her performance was remarkably mature and included several scenes of raw and naturalistic crying. She managed to convey the confusion and grief of a child with an authenticity that moved audiences around the world. Since then she has continued to work in various projects that showcase her developing emotional range. Her early work remains a benchmark for child performances in dramatic cinema.

Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald is a legend of the stage who has also made a significant impact in film and television. Her roles in ‘Private Practice’ and ‘The Gilded Age’ often involve heavy dramatic situations that require her to weep. She brings a theater-trained intensity to her crying scenes that makes them feel very grand and significant. Her ability to convey deep and historic sorrow is one of the reasons she is so highly decorated. She is widely considered one of the greatest performers of her generation.

S. Epatha Merkerson

S. Epatha Merkerson is best known for her long running role on ‘Law and Order’ where she played a stoic lieutenant. However her work in television movies like ‘Lackawanna Blues’ shows a much more emotional and tearful side of her talent. She is able to portray a character’s grief with a sense of dignity and quiet power. Her crying scenes often feel like the culmination of a long and difficult journey for the character. She remains one of the most consistent and respected character actresses in the industry.

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson has been a mainstay on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for two decades playing the character of Miranda Bailey. Throughout the series she has had countless emotional scenes that range from professional frustration to deep personal tragedy. She is known for her ability to deliver a tearful performance that feels very earned and authentic to her character’s development. Her crying often involves a sense of struggle as her character tries to maintain her usual tough exterior. She has won several awards for her consistently strong and emotional work on television.

CCH Pounder

CCH Pounder is recognized for her commanding presence in projects like ‘The Shield’ and ‘Avatar’. Her performance in ‘ER’ showcased her ability to handle deeply emotional medical and personal dramas. She has a very grounded and believable crying style that emphasizes the character’s humanity. She continues to be a sought after voice for dramatic roles in both film and television. Her work is marked by a consistent dedication to emotional truth and character depth.

Khandi Alexander

Khandi Alexander is known for her high intensity performances in series like ‘CSI Miami’ and ‘Scandal’. Her emotional outbursts are often a highlight of her dramatic work and showcase her range as an actress. She brings a visceral quality to her crying scenes that makes the character’s pain feel immediate. Her career has spanned several decades of high quality television and film projects. She remains a respected figure for her ability to deliver powerful dramatic moments.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige earned an Academy Award nomination for her internal and moving performance in the film ‘Mudbound’. She uses her personal life experiences to fuel her dramatic scenes which creates a very authentic connection. Her crying on screen is often raw and unrefined in a way that resonates with viewers. Critics often note her impressive growth as a performer in recent years as she takes on more complex roles. She has successfully transitioned from a music legend to a formidable presence in cinema.

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams has a long and successful career that includes various roles in film and television dramas. Her work in ‘Soul Food’ featured several emotional family moments that relied on her vulnerability. She is able to balance her glamorous public image with a very real and relatable screen presence. Her dramatic work is often cited for its grace and emotional sincerity. She is a trailblazer for many women in the industry today who balance multiple artistic careers.

Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox is known for her roles in major blockbusters like ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Set It Off’. Her performance in ‘Set It Off’ was particularly emotional and featured several powerful crying scenes. She is able to deliver a convincing emotional release when the story requires a high level of drama. Her filmography includes some of the biggest hits of the nineties and early two thousands. She remains a popular and active figure in the entertainment industry.

LisaGay Hamilton

LisaGay Hamilton is a veteran actress who is highly respected for her work in ‘The Practice’. Her emotional performances are often very understated and rely on a deep sense of internal realism. She brings a layer of gravity and seriousness to every tearful scene she performs. Her commitment to her craft is evident in the diverse range of projects she chooses. She is frequently praised by her peers for her professionalism and dramatic skill.

Irma P. Hall

Irma P. Hall is known for her heartwarming and emotional roles in films like ‘The Ladykillers’ and ‘Soul Food’. She often plays the emotional anchor of a story and provides a sense of warmth during sad moments. Her crying scenes are very moving because they feel deeply rooted in familial love and tradition. She has a long history in the industry and has worked with many legendary directors. She remains an inspiration to many young performers starting out in Hollywood today.

Lonette McKee

Lonette McKee is a talented actress and singer who first gained fame in the film ‘Sparkle’. Her performances are often very soulful and involve a high degree of emotional vulnerability. She captures the essence of her characters’ struggles with a very expressive and tearful acting style. Her work in theater has also received significant critical praise for its emotional depth. She continues to be a respected voice in the artistic community.

Margaret Avery

Margaret Avery earned an Academy Award nomination for her unforgettable portrayal of Shug Avery in ‘The Color Purple’. Her performance included several poignant and emotional moments that highlighted her dramatic range. She has a very unique and effective crying style that blends sadness with a sense of character strength. She continues to grace the screen with her presence in various guest roles and independent projects. Her legacy as a powerful dramatic performer is well established in cinema history.

Beah Richards

The late Beah Richards was a pioneering figure whose emotional work in ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ remains a classic. Her monologue in that film is a masterclass in using emotion and tears to convey a powerful social message. She brought a lot of dignity and historical weight to every role she accepted throughout her career. Her impact on the representation of Black women in film is lasting and significant. She is remembered as one of the most talented and influential actresses of her era.

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