Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Aries

From March 21 to April 19, plenty of powerhouse performers celebrate birthdays—so here are Black actresses whose birth dates land squarely in that window, with quick-hit career facts and roles you’ll recognize them from.

Sonequa Martin-Green

Born March 21, 1985, she leads ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ as Michael Burnham and previously played Sasha Williams on ‘The Walking Dead’. Earlier TV credits include ‘The Good Wife’, ‘Once Upon a Time’, and ‘New Girl’. She trained in theatre at the University of Alabama before moving into film and series work. Her film roles include ‘The Outside Story’ and appearances in studio features.

Sabrina Le Beauf

Born March 21, 1958, she’s best known as Sondra Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’. She voiced Norma Bindlebeep on ‘Fatherhood’ and appeared on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. Le Beauf earned a BA from UCLA and an MFA from Yale School of Drama. Her stage résumé includes extensive Shakespearean work.

Samira Wiley

Born April 15, 1987, she broke out as Poussey Washington on ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and later portrayed Moira on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Wiley trained at Juilliard and has film credits including ‘Breaking News in Yuba County’. Additional work spans anthology and animated projects like ‘Love, Death & Robots’. She has received major awards recognition for her television roles.

Skai Jackson

Born April 8, 2002, she rose to fame as Zuri Ross on Disney Channel’s ‘Jessie’ and its spinoff ‘Bunk’d’. She’s voiced characters in the ‘Marvel Rising’ franchise and ‘DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders’. Her early film credits include ‘The Rebound’ and ‘The Smurfs’. Jackson also authored a youth memoir and advocates against cyberbullying.

Kandyse McClure

Born March 22, 1980, she played Anastasia Dualla on ‘Battlestar Galactica’. Her TV work includes ‘Hemlock Grove’, ‘Persons Unknown’, and ‘Ghost Wars’. She starred in TV adaptations of ‘Carrie’ and ‘Children of the Corn’. McClure began her career in Canadian productions before expanding to U.S. series.

Dominique Fishback

Born March 22, 1991, she earned acclaim with ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and led Prime Video’s ‘Swarm’. On television, she recurred on ‘The Deuce’ and appeared in ‘Show Me a Hero’. Her filmography includes ‘Project Power’ and ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’. Fishback developed a one-woman stage show before moving into major screen roles.

Kimberly Elise

Born April 17, 1967, her feature debut was ‘Set It Off’, followed by prominent turns in ‘Beloved’ and ‘John Q.’. Additional credits include ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman’, ‘For Colored Girls’, and ‘The Manchurian Candidate’. On TV she has headlined network series and starred in telefilms. Elise’s career spans studio features and acclaimed independent dramas.

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Born April 9, 1979, she became one of the youngest Emmy nominees for playing Rudy Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’. She later starred as Miranda on ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’. Her credits include TV films and the family movie ‘Polly’. Pulliam is a Spelman College graduate with continued work in television.

Halle Bailey

Born March 27, 2000, she starred as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’ and appears in ‘Grown-ish’. She performs as half of Chloe x Halle and has a supporting role in ‘The Color Purple’. Bailey began sharing performances online before signing with Parkwood Entertainment. Recent coverage has also noted her family milestones alongside ongoing screen work.

Laura Harrier

Born March 28, 1990, she played Liz Allan in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and Patrice Dumas in ‘BlacKkKlansman’. She studied acting at the William Esper Studio after a successful modeling career. Harrier has also appeared in series such as ‘Hollywood’ and ‘Mike’. She continues to work across film, streaming, and fashion collaborations.

Suzzanne Douglas

Born April 12, 1957, she headlined ‘The Parent ’Hood’ and appeared in ‘Tap’, ‘Jason’s Lyric’, and ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’. She portrayed Cissy Houston in the TV film ‘Whitney’ and appeared in ‘When They See Us’. Douglas earned degrees from Illinois State University and the Manhattan School of Music. Her career spanned stage, television, and film.

Lorraine Toussaint

Born April 4, 1960, she earned praise as Vee on ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She starred in ‘Any Day Now’ and recurred on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ and ‘The Fosters’. Film credits include ‘Selma’, ‘Fast Color’, and ‘The Glorias’. Toussaint trained at Juilliard and has an extensive stage background.

Vanessa Morgan

Born March 23, 1992, she played Toni Topaz on ‘Riverdale’ and starred in ‘The Latest Buzz’ and ‘My Babysitter’s a Vampire’. She also led arcs on ‘Finding Carter’ and other teen dramas. Morgan has continued screen work alongside public updates on her growing family. Her earlier roles include Disney Channel and Canadian productions.

Ebony Obsidian

Born April 16, 1994, she stars as Karen Mott on ‘Sistas’ and appeared in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. She has featured in series including ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ and ‘Hunters’. Recent film work includes portraying Lena Derriecott King in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Obsidian trained at the William Esper Studio before moving into higher-profile projects.

Nicolette Robinson

Born April 18, 1988, she is known on TV for ‘The Affair’ and on Broadway as Jenna in ‘Waitress’. Robinson studied at UCLA and has appeared in screen projects across drama and thriller. Additional credits include ‘Love in the Time of Corona’ and ‘One Night in Miami…’ (as Barbara Cooke). She continues to balance stage and on-screen roles.

Jill Scott

Born April 4, 1972, she headlined ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ and appeared in films such as ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ and ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’. On television she has recurred in ensemble comedies and dramas. Scott’s screen work complements her recording career with soundtrack contributions. She is also active in touring and performance-centered specials.

Lark Voorhies

Born March 25, 1974, she’s best known as Lisa Turtle on ‘Saved by the Bell’. She also appeared on daytime dramas including ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’. Her credits span TV movies and guest roles across network series. Voorhies is a two-time Young Artist Award winner for her sitcom work.

Olivia Washington

Born April 10, 1991, she appears in ‘I’m a Virgo’ and films such as ‘Breaking’ and ‘The Little Things’. She trained at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and works across film and television. Washington’s credits also include anthology and prestige projects. She continues to expand her résumé with festival and studio releases.

Weruche Opia

Born April 11 (widely reported as 1987), she earned awards attention for ‘I May Destroy You’. Other TV credits include ‘Top Boy’ and ‘Inside No. 9’. She is also an entrepreneur and trained at the University of the West of England. Opia works in both British and international productions.

Erica Tazel

Born March 31, 1977, she portrayed Deputy U.S. Marshal Rachel Brooks on ‘Justified’. Additional TV credits include ‘Roots’, ‘The Good Fight’, and ‘Queen Sugar’. A Spelman and NYU Tisch alum, she has an extensive stage background. Tazel’s career includes guest roles across network and cable dramas.

Simone Joy Jones

Born March 22, 1999, she plays Lisa Wilkes in ‘Bel-Air’. Earlier credits include ‘The Chair’ and feature work in drama and thriller. She studied at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. Jones has also performed on Broadway and in independent projects.

Kellie Shanygne Williams

Born March 22, 1976, she became a household name as Laura Winslow on ‘Family Matters’. She has appeared in TV movies and guest arcs following the long-running sitcom. Williams has also worked in community arts and advocacy. Her early career included commercials and youth-theatre programs.

Trinitee

Born April 12, 2006, she played Judy Cooper on ‘K.C. Undercover’. She has voiced animated characters and appeared in family comedies and holiday projects. Stokes has released music tied to her on-camera work. Her early career included national commercials and children’s theatre.

Somkele Iyamah Idhalama

Born March 23, 1988, she gained notice in Nollywood titles including ’93 Days’, ‘The Wedding Party’, and ‘The Arbitration’. She has appeared in international series and limited dramas on streaming platforms. Iyamah-Idhalama also works in fashion with her family brand. Festival recognition across Africa highlighted her breakout.

Beverly Naya

Born April 17 (widely reported), the British-born Nigerian actress has starred in projects such as ‘Skin’, ‘The Arbitration’, and ‘Chief Daddy’. She trained at Roehampton University and Brunel University London. Naya has produced documentaries addressing colorism and industry standards. Her television work includes lead roles in Nigerian drama series.

Tell us which Aries stars surprised you most—and who we should add next—in the comments!