Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Cancer

If you’re a fan of star signs and screen icons, this roundup connects the dots between standout Black actresses and the Cancer season—birthdays that fall between June 21 and July 22. Below, you’ll find filmographies, breakthrough roles, awards, and projects to know for each name. It’s a quick, practical guide to who’s done what, and where to find them on screen. Dive in, discover a few surprises, and maybe add a title or two to your watchlist.

Tia Mowry

Tia Mowry rose to fame on the sitcom ‘Sister, Sister’, and later starred in ‘The Game’ and ‘Family Reunion’. She has produced and hosted lifestyle series and cookbooks tied to her wellness brand. On film, she’s appeared in holiday features and family comedies for cable networks. She trained at Pepperdine University and has continued to work across scripted TV, voice roles, and unscripted projects.

Tamera Mowry-Housley

Tamera Mowry-Housley co-led ‘Sister, Sister’ and later co-hosted ‘The Real’, earning multiple Daytime Emmy honors as part of the panel. Her acting includes family films and TV movies, plus guest arcs on network sitcoms. She has hosted home-and-lifestyle programs and specials for cable channels. Beyond acting, she’s authored books and launched beverage and culinary ventures with her family.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid broke out with ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ and expanded her profile with ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The Last of Us’. She starred in ‘The Invisible Man’ and ‘Missing’, showing range across thriller and tech-mystery formats. Reid founded A Seed & Wings Productions to develop youth-centered stories. She is a USC student and continues to balance studio features with prestige television.

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino parlayed her ‘American Idol’ win into a music career and notable acting turns. She played Celie in the musical film ‘The Color Purple’, bringing her Broadway experience from the stage revival into the screen adaptation. Her TV work includes biographical drama ‘The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale’. She has also toured extensively and recorded multiple charting R&B albums.

La La Anthony

La La Anthony is known to TV audiences for ‘Power’ and ‘BMF’. She began in radio and VJ hosting before transitioning into acting and producing. Her feature credits include ensemble romantic comedies and sports dramas. She’s authored books and built fashion and beauty lines alongside her screen work.

Paige Hurd

Paige Hurd first gained attention as Tasha on ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ and later as Gayle Franklin on ‘The Oval’. She has appeared in music videos and indie features, adding to a steady TV resume. Hurd trained at the Dallas Young Actors Studio early in her career. She continues to work across network dramas and streaming originals.

Candice Patton

Candice Patton starred as Iris West-Allen on ‘The Flash’, appearing across the Arrowverse. She has guest starred on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Entourage’, and other network series. Patton co-founded Shethority, an online community supporting women in entertainment. Her work includes hosting duties and appearances at major fan conventions.

Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu earned international acclaim with ‘The Underground Railroad’, following South African series like ‘Is’Thunzi’. She starred opposite Viola Davis in ‘The Woman King’. Mbedu has received nominations and wins from global awards bodies for both local and international roles. She trained at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

Tichina Arnold

Tichina Arnold is widely recognized for ‘Martin’ and ‘Everybody Hates Chris’. She co-stars in ‘The Neighborhood’ and has starred in multiple stage and television productions. Arnold records and performs music in addition to acting. She is an active supporter of lupus awareness initiatives, using her platform for health advocacy.

Raven Goodwin

Raven Goodwin’s credits range from ‘Glee’ and ‘Being Mary Jane’ to ‘SMILF’. She portrayed Hattie McDaniel in a biopic for streaming. Goodwin began her career as a child actor in ‘Lovely & Amazing’ and ‘Phat Girlz’. She continues to lead and support roles in drama and comedy series.

Jaz Sinclair

Jaz Sinclair co-led ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and stars in ‘Gen V’ within the ‘The Boys’ universe. Her film work includes ‘Paper Towns’ and genre titles like ‘Slender Man’. She has appeared in procedurals and anthology series to broaden her range. Sinclair’s recent projects lean into action, horror, and superhero-adjacent storytelling.

Chloe Bailey

Chloe Bailey acts and performs as half of Chloe x Halle and as a solo artist. On screen, she appears in ‘Swarm’ and has film roles in musical dramas. Bailey trained vocally and instrumentally from an early age and has composed for several projects. She continues to balance recording, touring, and acting commitments.

Angela Lewis

Angela Lewis is known for ‘Snowfall’, playing a pivotal role in the crime drama’s family dynamics. She has appeared in ‘The Good Wife’ and other network series. Lewis trained at the University of Michigan before moving into New York theatre. Her work spans stage, cable drama, and streaming features.

Mishael Morgan

Mishael Morgan made daytime history with a Lead Actress Emmy for ‘The Young and the Restless’. She has also appeared in primetime shows like ‘Supernatural’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’. Morgan emigrated from Trinidad and Tobago to Canada before launching her acting career. She continues to work in daytime while pursuing film and TV projects.

Dominique Tipper

Dominique Tipper is best known as Naomi Nagata on ‘The Expanse’. She has a background in dance and music, which informed her early career. Tipper’s film credits include British indies and sci-fi features. She remains active in genre storytelling and behind-the-scenes creative development.

Diahann Carroll

Diahann Carroll broke barriers with ‘Julia’ and an Oscar-nominated turn in ‘Claudine’. She later portrayed Dominique Deveraux on ‘Dynasty’. Carroll’s stage career includes Tony-winning performances. Her legacy includes philanthropy and mentorship in the arts.

Natalie Desselle-Reid

Natalie Desselle-Reid is remembered for ‘B.A.P.S.’ and ‘How to Be a Player’. On TV, she co-starred in ‘Eve’ and appeared in comedies across networks. She also worked in family films and holiday features. Her roles highlighted comedic timing and warmth across ensemble casts.

Nomzamo Mbatha

Nomzamo Mbatha transitioned from South African TV to global features, including ‘Coming 2 America’. She served as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on refugee issues. Mbatha hosted major live events and awards shows in South Africa. She continues to develop film and television projects across markets.

Kym Whitley

Kym Whitley’s credits include ‘Young & Hungry’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, and ‘Next Friday’. She created and starred in the docu-series ‘Raising Whitley’. Whitley regularly tours as a stand-up comedian. Her voiceover work spans animated series and features.

Lisa Nicole Carson

Lisa Nicole Carson co-starred in ‘ER’ and ‘Ally McBeal’. She appeared in films like ‘Love Jones’ and ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’. After a hiatus, she returned to screen work and public conversations about mental health. Carson trained at the High School of Performing Arts in New York.

Dominique Perry

Dominique Perry is known for ‘Insecure’ and later roles in cable comedies and dramas. She has appeared in music videos and indie films. Perry began acting as a child in theater productions. Her recent credits include recurring parts on streaming series.

Rita Dominic

Rita Dominic is a leading Nollywood actress with roles in ‘The Meeting’ and ’76’. She has produced films and served as a brand ambassador in Nigeria. Dominic has won multiple African film awards. She remains active in both cinema releases and streaming originals.

Chacha Eke Faani

Chacha Eke Faani has starred in numerous Nollywood dramas and thrillers. She’s known for emotionally charged roles across family and suspense stories. Eke trained in Theatre Arts and continues to appear in high-volume productions. She collaborates frequently with notable Nigerian directors and studios.

Kate Henshaw-Nuttal

Kate Henshaw is a veteran Nollywood star recognized for ‘Stronger Than Pain’ and diverse TV drama roles. She has served as a talent-show judge and fitness advocate. Henshaw’s body of work includes both English and indigenous-language productions. She has received national awards for contributions to film.

Amanda du-Pont

Amanda du-Pont is a Swazi-South African actress known for ‘Skeem Saam’ and Netflix thrillers. She also hosts and models, building a wide on-screen presence. Her training includes New York Film Academy study. She continues to headline South African series and international features.

Amirah Vann

Amirah Vann broke out with ‘Underground’ and later appeared in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ and ‘Queen Sugar’. She has recurring roles in legal and crime dramas across networks. Vann trained at Fordham University and NYU. Her stage work includes Off-Broadway credits and regional theater.

Della Reese

Della Reese headlined ‘Touched by an Angel’ and maintained a long recording career. She appeared in films like ‘Harlem Nights’. Reese hosted talk and variety programs, bridging music and acting. She also founded a church and mentored younger performers.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer is a prolific voice actor with roles in ‘Rugrats’, ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’, and ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’. On camera, she’s remembered for ‘A Different World’. Summer has released solo music and performed with bands. She continues to voice lead characters across games and animation.

Karen Malina White

Karen Malina White starred in ‘A Different World’ and ‘The Proud Family’, including the revival ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’. She has guest roles in crime and medical procedurals. White is active in theater and voiceover. Her film credits include ‘Lean on Me’.

Shari Headley

Shari Headley is best known as Lisa McDowell in ‘Coming to America’ and ‘Coming 2 America’. On television, she has starred in soaps and primetime dramas including ‘All My Children’ and ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’. Headley has guest roles across network series. She began as a model before transitioning to acting.

Valarie Pettiford

Valarie Pettiford earned a Tony nomination for ‘Fosse’ and co-starred in ‘Half & Half’. Her film credits include ‘The Wiz’, ‘Glitter’, and ‘Jumping the Broom’. Pettiford is also a jazz vocalist with stage concert work. She continues to appear in streaming dramas and network series.

Madison Pettis

Madison Pettis is known for ‘Cory in the House’, ‘The Game Plan’, and ‘Life with Boys’. She voices characters in animation, including ‘Fancy Nancy’. Pettis began modeling and acting as a child before moving into teen and adult roles. Recent projects include romantic comedies and streaming films.

Solange

Solange Knowles has acting credits in ‘Johnson Family Vacation’ and ‘One on One’, alongside an acclaimed music career. She founded the creative studio Saint Heron and has staged performance art pieces at major institutions. Solange composes, produces, and directs visual projects. She has collaborated across fashion, film soundtracks, and contemporary art.

Shirley Hemphill

Shirley Hemphill starred in the sitcom ‘What’s Happening!!’ and its sequel ‘What’s Happening Now!!’. She performed stand-up comedy on national tours and variety shows. Hemphill also appeared in guest roles on network television. Her career spanned club stages and primetime TV.

Denise Nicholas

Denise Nicholas is known for ‘Room 222’ and ‘In the Heat of the Night’. She has screenwriting credits, including episodes of ‘In the Heat of the Night’. Nicholas appeared in films such as ‘Let’s Do It Again’. She has also authored fiction and participated in civil rights advocacy.

Jasmine Cephas Jones

Jasmine Cephas Jones originated roles in ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway and transitioned to screen in projects like ‘Blindspotting’. She has appeared in limited series and independent films. Jones records music and collaborates with theater composers. She trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

Deborah Cox

Deborah Cox balances a music career with acting in films, TV, and Broadway. She starred in stage productions and TV biopics, including ‘Love Come Down’. Cox contributes to soundtracks and tours internationally. She has developed roles in workshop productions for new musicals.

Linda Ejiofor

Linda Ejiofor is a Nollywood star recognized for ‘Tinsel’ and the feature ‘The Meeting’. She has earned nominations from the Africa Movie Academy Awards and AMVCA. Ejiofor models and appears in brand campaigns. Her work spans romance, drama, and comedy features.

Alexandra Shipp

Alexandra Shipp portrayed Aaliyah in a biographical TV film and played Storm in the ‘X-Men’ franchise. She co-starred in ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’. Shipp records music in addition to acting. Her projects include studio features and independent dramas.

Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald is a six-time Tony-winning actress known for ‘Private Practice’ and ‘The Good Fight’ on TV. She has starred in filmed musicals and concert specials. McDonald records classical and theater albums and tours with symphony orchestras. Her stage-to-screen presence bridges opera, Broadway, and television drama.

Anne-Marie Johnson

Anne-Marie Johnson’s TV career includes ‘In the Heat of the Night’, ‘Melrose Place’, and ‘Girlfriends’. She began with ‘Double Trouble’ and has extensive guest roles in comedies and procedurals. Johnson is active in SAG-AFTRA leadership and industry advocacy. Her film credits include comedies and ensemble dramas.

Jonelle Allen

Jonelle Allen earned a Tony nomination for ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ and later co-starred in ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’. Her film work includes ‘Come Back, Charleston Blue’ and ‘The River Niger’. Allen teaches acting and directs stage productions. She continues to appear in television and regional theater.

Lonette McKee

Lonette McKee made her film debut in ‘Sparkle’ and appeared in ‘The Cotton Club’, ‘Jungle Fever’, and ‘Malcolm X’. She composes and records music, performing in concerts and theater. McKee has directed short films and taught master classes. Her television work includes dramas and miniseries.

Doris Simeon

Doris Simeon is a Nigerian actress known for Yoruba and English-language Nollywood films. She has hosted TV programs and runs a beauty business. Simeon’s credits cover family dramas, romantic comedies, and thriller titles. She collaborates with prominent Nigerian directors and producers.

H.E.R.

H.E.R. expanded from music into screen roles, appearing as Belle in ABC’s ‘Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration’. She made her feature acting debut in ‘The Color Purple’ and has voice roles in animated series. Early credits include the Nickelodeon TV film ‘School Gyrls’. She continues to balance recording, touring, and new acting projects.

Share the Cancers I missed—or your favorite performances from this list—in the comments!