Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Leo

Leos bring big-stage energy, and these talented actresses prove it across film and television. Each one was born between July 23 and August 22 and has built an impressive résumé—from Oscar wins and Emmy honors to franchise roles and hit series leads. Below, you’ll find quick-hit essentials on their birthdays, breakthrough work, and career highlights. If you’re filling a watchlist, this is a handy place to start.

Halle Berry

Born August 14 in Cleveland, Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Monster’s Ball’. She led major franchises with ‘X-Men’ and headlined blockbusters like ‘Die Another Day’. Berry’s dramatic range also spans thrillers such as ‘Gothika’ and action efforts like ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’. She made her directorial debut with the MMA drama ‘Bruised’.

Viola Davis

Born August 11 in South Carolina, Viola Davis won an Academy Award for ‘Fences’ and earned a Primetime Emmy for ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She’s one of the few performers to achieve the triple crown of acting—Oscar, Emmy, and Tony. Davis portrayed Amanda Waller in DC films including ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Suicide Squad’. Her production company, JuVee Productions, develops film and TV projects across genres.

Angela Bassett

Born August 16 in New York City, Angela Bassett earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’. She plays Queen Ramonda in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ films and stars on the procedural series ‘9-1-1’. Bassett’s filmography includes ‘Waiting to Exhale’ and ‘Strange Days’, showcasing a long-running mix of drama and genre. She has directed for television and frequently narrates documentaries.

Meagan Good

Born August 8 in Los Angeles, Meagan Good’s breakout came with ‘Eve’s Bayou’ before leads in ‘Think Like a Man’ and ‘Stomp the Yard’. On television, she stars in the comedy series ‘Harlem’. Good has directed music videos and short projects alongside acting. She began her career in commercials and guest spots before moving into feature film leads.

Vivica A. Fox

Born July 30 in Indiana, Vivica A. Fox is known for ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Set It Off’. She appeared in ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ and has worked extensively in television movies and series. Fox has hosted talk and reality programs and runs a hair products line. Her career includes producing credits and frequent guest roles on scripted TV.

Maya Rudolph

Born July 27 in Florida, Maya Rudolph joined ‘Saturday Night Live’ and became known for music parodies and character work. She co-starred in ‘Bridesmaids’ and voices roles in animated projects like ‘Big Mouth’. Rudolph leads the comedy series ‘Loot’. She also performs with the musical group Princess and contributes to various soundtrack projects.

Loretta Devine

Born August 21 in Texas, Loretta Devine earned an Emmy for her guest role on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Her film credits include ‘Waiting to Exhale’ and ‘Crash’. Devine has a strong stage background, originating roles in major productions before extensive film and TV work. She appears in series such as ‘P-Valley’ and ‘The Carmichael Show’.

Sophie Okonedo

Born August 11 in London, Sophie Okonedo received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hotel Rwanda’. She has performed in ‘Ratched’ and appeared in ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Flack’. Okonedo is also a decorated stage actor with Tony-winning work on Broadway. Her screen roles span thrillers, historical dramas, and limited series.

Wunmi Mosaku

Born July 31 in Nigeria and raised in the UK, Wunmi Mosaku won a BAFTA TV Award for ‘Damilola, Our Loved Boy’. She starred in ‘Lovecraft Country’ and appeared in Marvel’s ‘Loki’. Mosaku’s film credits include the psychological horror ‘His House’. She frequently moves between British television dramas and U.S. genre series.

Marsai Martin

Born August 14 in Texas, Marsai Martin played Diane Johnson on ‘Black-ish’. At 14, she became one of Hollywood’s youngest executive producers with the feature ‘Little’, in which she also starred. Martin leads and produces projects through her company, Genius Productions. She appears in films like ‘Fantasy Football’ and voice roles in animation.

Parker McKenna Posey

Born August 18 in Los Angeles, Parker McKenna Posey grew up on screen as Kady Kyle in ‘My Wife and Kids’. She later starred in the series ‘Games People Play’. Posey has appeared in independent films and TV movies across drama and thriller categories. Her work includes producing and brand collaborations alongside acting.

Ryan Michelle Bathe

Born July 27 in St. Louis, Ryan Michelle Bathe’s credits include ‘This Is Us’ and ‘The Endgame’. She co-starred in the series ‘First Wives Club’. Bathe’s film work includes roles in dramas and comedies, with recurring parts on network and streaming shows. She trained at Stanford University and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Yvette Nicole Brown

Born August 12 in East Cleveland, Yvette Nicole Brown is known for ‘Community’ and ‘Drake & Josh’. She appears in series like ‘The Mayor’ and ‘Big Shot’. Brown’s voice acting includes animated projects and video games, with roles across comedy and family programming. She also serves as a frequent moderator and panel host at entertainment events.

Deborah Ayorinde

Born August 13 in London, Deborah Ayorinde starred in the anthology series ‘Them’ and leads the drama ‘Riches’. Her film credits include roles in ‘Harriet’ and crime thriller projects. Ayorinde trained at Howard University and works across both UK and U.S. productions. She has appeared in guest arcs on network dramas and streaming series.

Michelle Buteau

Born July 24 in New Jersey, Michelle Buteau created and stars in the Netflix series ‘Survival of the Thickest’. Her acting credits include ‘Always Be My Maybe’ and ‘Isn’t It Romantic’. Buteau hosts and narrates unscripted projects in addition to scripted roles. She tours as a stand-up comedian while continuing film and TV work.

Whitney Houston

Born August 9 in Newark, Whitney Houston transitioned from global pop icon to screen star with ‘The Bodyguard’ and later ‘Waiting to Exhale’ and ‘The Preacher’s Wife’. Her soundtrack work drove major album sales and multiple awards tied to these films. Houston also founded a production company that developed film and television projects. She remains one of the best-selling recording artists with a lasting on-screen legacy.

Zawe Ashton

Born July 25 in London, Zawe Ashton broke out in British series before moving into features like ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ and period romance ‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’. She joined the Marvel universe as Dar-Benn in ‘The Marvels’. Ashton is also a playwright with produced stage work. Her career spans UK theatre leads and U.S. studio films.

Grace Byers

Born July 26 in Pennsylvania and raised in the Cayman Islands, Grace Byers gained widespread recognition as Anika Calhoun on ‘Empire’. She stars in the comedy ‘Harlem’ and appeared in ensemble horror-comedy ‘The Blackening’. Byers has authored children’s books inspired by her upbringing. Her training includes degrees in theatre and an MFA in acting.

Countess Vaughn

Born August 8 in Oklahoma, Countess Vaughn became a household name as Kim Parker on ‘Moesha’ and its spin-off ‘The Parkers’. She launched her career with an early ‘Star Search’ win before steady TV work. Vaughn also records music and appears in stage productions. Her television roles span multi-camera sitcoms and family comedies.

Wendy Raquel Robinson

Born July 25 in Los Angeles, Wendy Raquel Robinson is celebrated for Regina Grier on ‘The Steve Harvey Show’ and Tasha Mack on ‘The Game’. She co-founded a performing arts academy supporting young actors. Robinson’s credits include dramatic guest arcs and voice roles across animation. Her work bridges network sitcoms and streaming revivals.

Nana Ama McBrown

Born August 15 in Kumasi, Nana Ama McBrown is a Ghanaian actress and TV host known for Twi-language hits and the series ‘Tentacles’. She has led films across romance, comedy, and family drama and hosts popular talk and variety programs. McBrown has earned Kumawood and Golden Movie awards. Her brand partnerships and presenting work complement a prolific screen career.

Dawnn Lewis

Born August 13 in New York City, Dawnn Lewis starred as Jaleesa on ‘A Different World’ and co-wrote the show’s theme. She has recurring roles and voice work across shows including ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. Lewis appears in films, stage musicals, and community arts initiatives. Her career folds in songwriting and production alongside acting.

Andrea Lewis

Born August 15 in Ontario, Andrea Lewis is known for ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’ as Hazel Aden. She has produced and starred in digital series spotlighting Black women’s stories. Lewis releases music and develops indie projects across Canada and the U.S. Her work spans youth drama, holiday features, and web originals.

Tawny Cypress

Born August 8 in New Jersey, Tawny Cypress appeared in ‘Heroes’ before earning wide notice in ‘Yellowjackets’. Her TV résumé includes roles in ‘House of Cards’, ‘Unforgettable’, and ‘The Blacklist’. Cypress’s film work and stage appearances complement steady prestige-television arcs. She is active in genre projects and contemporary dramas.

Tempestt Bledsoe

Born August 1 in Chicago, Tempestt Bledsoe rose to fame as Vanessa Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’. She later led lifestyle programming and returned to sitcoms with ‘Guys with Kids’. Bledsoe has voiced characters in animation and appeared in reunion specials and holiday films. She balances on-screen work with producing and guest roles.

Zawe Ashton

Born July 25 in London, Zawe Ashton blends stage and screen with credits across British comedy-dramas and U.S. features. She portrays a major antagonist in Marvel’s ‘The Marvels’. Ashton’s theatre work includes award-recognized performances and original writing. She continues to alternate between independent films and studio projects.

Grace Byers

Born July 26, Grace Byers parlayed her ‘Empire’ success into leading roles in ‘Harlem’ and ensemble features. She authors children’s books and participates in mentorship programs for young artists. Byers maintains a footprint in both comedy and thriller projects. Her training and bilingual background inform a varied career.

Got another Leo we should add to the list? Drop your pick in the comments!