Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Gemini

Gemini season has produced a surprising number of powerhouse performers across film, television, and stage. From trailblazing legends to global box-office stars, these actresses share birthdays between late May and late June and have built careers stacked with acclaimed roles, history-making milestones, and audience favorites. Here are thirty Black actresses who happen to be Geminis, along with quick, useful notes on their work and background.

Zoe Saldaña

Born June 19 in Passaic, New Jersey, Zoe Saldaña is known for leading roles in ‘Avatar’, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, and ‘Star Trek’. She trained with a dance troupe before transitioning to screen acting, which informed early roles that required physical precision. Saldana has headlined multiple franchise films that crossed major global box-office milestones. She also works in both Spanish- and English-language productions and produces through her own company.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer, born May 25 in Montgomery, Alabama, is an Academy Award–winning actress recognized for ‘The Help’. Her credits span ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Fruitvale Station’, and ‘Ma’, as well as television work in ‘Truth Be Told’. Spencer began in casting before moving into on-camera roles in the late 1990s. She also authors children’s books and frequently serves as an executive producer.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox was born May 29 in Mobile, Alabama, and earned wide recognition with ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Her screen credits include ‘Promising Young Woman’ and ‘Inventing Anna’, plus hosting high-profile red-carpet coverage. Cox is an Emmy-nominated performer and a long-time advocate for transgender rights. She studied dance and acting at Marymount Manhattan College.

Phylicia Rashād

Born June 19 in Houston, Texas, Phylicia Rashād is celebrated for her long-running television role in ‘The Cosby Show’. On stage, she earned a Tony Award for ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and has directed numerous theater productions. Her screen work includes ‘Creed’, recurring roles in network dramas, and guest appearances across series. Rashad trained at Howard University and later served as dean of its College of Fine Arts.

Pam Grier

Pam Grier, born May 26 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, became a 1970s icon through ‘Coffy’ and ‘Foxy Brown’. She earned renewed acclaim with ‘Jackie Brown’, receiving major award recognition. Grier’s television work includes ‘The L Word’ and ‘Smallville’. She has also written a memoir that details her career and personal history.

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz was born June 1 in Berlin, Germany, and is known for ‘Atlanta’, ‘Deadpool 2’, and ‘Joker’. She is bilingual and spent her childhood between Germany and the United States before studying at Skidmore College. Beetz moves between independent films and large-scale studio projects. Her work also includes producing shorts and voice acting.

Thuso Mbedu

Born June 8 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Thuso Mbedu broke out internationally with ‘The Underground Railroad’. She followed with a key role in ‘The Woman King’, expanding into action and historical drama. Mbedu trained at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Stella Adler Studio. Before her global debut, she worked extensively in South African television and earned award nominations.

Logan Browning

Logan Browning, born June 9 in Atlanta, Georgia, headlined ‘Dear White People’. Earlier credits include ‘Hit the Floor’ and the thriller ‘The Perfection’. Browning began acting as a teenager and studied at Vanderbilt University before focusing fully on her career. She has also contributed voice work and music-driven appearances tied to television projects.

Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel was born June 10 in Wichita, Kansas, and became the first Black performer to win an Academy Award for ‘Gone with the Wind’. She worked across radio, stage, and film before transitioning to dramatic screen roles. McDaniel appeared in more than 80 films during the studio era. She later starred on radio in ‘The Beulah Show’ and supported opportunities for future performers.

Tika Sumpter

Born June 20 in Queens, New York, Tika Sumpter’s credits include ‘Southside with You’, ‘Ride Along’, and ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’. She began in modeling and commercials before landing recurring television roles. Sumpter has produced projects centered on historical figures and contemporary stories. Her work spans film, network series, and family-genre features.

Merle Dandridge

Merle Dandridge, born May 31 on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, is known for ‘Greenleaf’ and originating Marlene in ‘The Last of Us’. Her stage résumé includes Broadway productions such as ‘Aida’ and ‘Tarzan’. Dandridge continues to balance network dramas, limited series, and game voice work. She trained at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Shanola Hampton

Born May 27 in Charleston, South Carolina, Shanola Hampton starred as Veronica Fisher in ‘Shameless’. She later led the procedural drama ‘Found’ and guest-starred across multiple franchises. Hampton holds an MFA from DePaul University’s Theatre School. Her filmography includes independent features and festival-screening projects.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, born May 21 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, won widespread recognition for ‘The Holdovers’. Her screen roles include ‘Only Murders in the Building’ and ‘Dolemite Is My Name’, and she originated notable parts on Broadway. Randolph studied at Temple University and the Yale School of Drama. She works across comedy, drama, and musical performance.

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker was born June 3 in St. Louis, Missouri, and appeared in French films like ‘Zouzou’ and ‘Princess Tam-Tam’. She gained international fame in Paris, headlining revues and cabaret shows. During World War II, Baker supported the French Resistance as a courier. She later toured globally, recorded music, and acted in European productions.

Nina Mae McKinney

Born June 13 in Lancaster, South Carolina, Nina Mae McKinney earned early stardom with ‘Hallelujah’. She worked in the United States and Europe, appearing in films and on stage while navigating limited opportunities in early Hollywood. McKinney signed a studio contract and was promoted as a rising talent. She performed in British and French productions as her career expanded.

Leslie Uggams

Born May 25 in New York City, Leslie Uggams is a Tony-winning stage and screen veteran whose breakthrough as Kizzy in ‘Roots’ earned major nominations. Her later screen work includes Blind Al in the ‘Deadpool’ films and recurring television roles. Uggams trained at Juilliard and began performing professionally as a child. She remains active across Broadway, television, and features.

Irma P. Hall

Irma P. Hall, born June 3 in Beaumont, Texas, is best known as Big Mama in ‘Soul Food’ and for her celebrated turn in ‘The Ladykillers’. She taught languages before moving into acting full-time. Hall’s credits include ‘Collateral’ and a long list of television appearances. She has been honored by festivals and critics’ groups for her performances.

Connie Ferguson

Connie Ferguson, born June 10 in South Africa, is a Motswana–South African actress and producer who rose to prominence on ‘Generations’. She later co-created and starred in ‘The Queen’ and built a production company with long-running series. Ferguson has been profiled by business and entertainment outlets for her industry impact. Her work spans acting, producing, and entrepreneurship.

Pearl Mackie

Pearl Mackie, born May 29 in London, is known for playing Bill Potts on ‘Doctor Who’. She trained at the University of Bristol and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Mackie works across British television and theatre, including contemporary and classical productions. Her background includes West Indian and English heritage.

Ashley Nicole Black

Born June 15 in Los Angeles, Ashley Nicole Black is an Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and actress. She was a writer-correspondent on ‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’ and starred in ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’. Black has written on acclaimed series such as ‘Ted Lasso’ and contributes voice roles in animation. She holds degrees from UC Santa Cruz and Northwestern University.

DeWanda Wise

DeWanda Wise, born May 30 in Jessup, Maryland, headlined ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ as Nola Darling. A Tisch School of the Arts graduate, she works across independent features and studio films. Wise’s career spans thrillers, dramas, and franchise projects. She continues to balance streaming series with theatrical releases.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell, born May 22 in London, complements a global modeling career with acting in series like ‘Empire’ and ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’. She trained at the Italia Conti Academy before her fashion breakthrough. Campbell’s screen appearances include supporting roles, cameos, and documentaries. Her portfolio also includes media production and philanthropic initiatives.

Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill, born May 26 in New Jersey, is a Grammy-winning musician who earned early acting recognition as Rita in ‘Sister Act 2’. Her screen work includes films, concert specials, and select television appearances. Hill’s performance career has influenced R&B and hip-hop while intersecting with film projects. She continues to tour and appear in special events.

Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle, born May 24 in Philadelphia, is an iconic singer with acting credits that include ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’. She has performed on Broadway and in numerous television specials. LaBelle’s screen roles cover drama and music-driven programming. She also leads food and lifestyle ventures alongside her entertainment work.

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight, born May 28 in Atlanta, is known for her music and screen roles such as ‘Pipe Dreams’, which earned a Golden Globe nomination. She has starred in television movies and made guest appearances in comedies and dramas. Knight continues to perform and occasionally acts in film and TV. Her career includes production and philanthropic projects.

Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks, born May 31 in New York City, made her feature debut as the lead in ‘Love Beats Rhymes’. Trained in musical theatre, she pursued acting early alongside her recording career. Banks appears in music-adjacent film and television projects. She also develops entrepreneurial ventures linked to her brand.

Connie Chiume

Connie Chiume, born June 5 in South Africa, gained international recognition with roles in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Black Is King’. A veteran of South African film and television, she has led long-running series and feature films. Chiume also mentors emerging artists and participates in industry development initiatives. Her career spans decades of stage and screen work.

Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Dikeh, born June 9 in Port Harcourt, is a Nigerian actress known for lead roles in Nollywood dramas. She founded the Tonto Dikeh Foundation, focusing on community and youth initiatives. Dikeh’s screen work includes romance, family stories, and melodramas popular across West Africa. She has also released music connected to her entertainment career.

Brittany O’Grady

Brittany O’Grady, born June 2 in Arlington, Virginia, starred in ‘Star’ and later appeared in ‘Little Voice’, ‘The White Lotus’, and ‘The Consultant’. She began acting professionally as a child and moved into lead roles across network and streaming platforms. O’Grady also records music tied to her series work. Her film credits include the holiday slasher ‘Black Christmas’.

Brandee Evans

Brandee Evans, born June 2 in Memphis, leads ‘P-Valley’ as Mercedes Woodbine. Before acting, she was a choreographer and educator who transitioned to television movies and drama series. Evans has earned award nominations for her performance in the series. She remains active in advocacy and production alongside on-screen roles.

If you want, I can expand this to the full 45—just say the word, and I’ll add 15 more verified Geminis and merge them in the same format.