Black Actresses You Didn’t Know are Scorpio

Passionate, determined, and quietly intense—Scorpios tend to leave a mark, and these actresses absolutely do. From boundary-pushing TV leads to big-screen icons, each of these women brings that signature Scorpio focus to their craft. Here are 30 Black actresses born under the sign of the Scorpion, along with quick facts about where they’re from and the roles you likely know them for.

Whoopi Goldberg

Born November 13 in New York City, Whoopi Goldberg is one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status. She broke out with a powerhouse performance in ‘The Color Purple’ and won an Academy Award for ‘Ghost’. On television, she’s been a longtime co-host on ‘The View’. She also voices characters in animation and continues to appear in film and stage projects.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union was born October 29 in Omaha, Nebraska. She starred in fan-favorite films like ‘Bring It On’ and headlined the series ‘Being Mary Jane’. Union also appears in action and comedy projects, including ‘Bad Boys II’ and ‘L.A.’s Finest’. Beyond acting, she produces film and television through her production ventures.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Born October 29 in Los Angeles, Tracee Ellis Ross is widely known for her lead role in ‘black-ish’. She previously starred in the hit sitcom ‘Girlfriends’, which became a cultural touchstone. Ross has also worked in film and voice roles, including appearances tied to music-industry stories and animated features. She frequently collaborates on projects spotlighting fashion and beauty entrepreneurship.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright was born October 31 in Georgetown, Guyana, and raised in London. She gained global recognition as Shuri in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ franchise. Wright’s work spans indie dramas and limited series, including ‘Small Axe’. She continues to take on character-driven roles across film and television.

Alfre Woodard

Born November 8 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alfre Woodard is acclaimed for her work across film, television, and theater. Her screen credits range from ‘Clemency’ and ‘Miss Evers’ Boys’ to major series roles in ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Luke Cage’. Woodard is known for taking complex, socially resonant parts. She also lends her voice to animated features and narrations.

Nia Long

Nia Long was born October 30 in Brooklyn, New York. She’s known for standout roles in ‘Boyz n the Hood’, ‘The Best Man’ series, and ‘Friday’. On television, she’s appeared in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, ‘Third Watch’, and contemporary thrillers. Long regularly alternates between romantic drama, comedy, and suspense projects.

Amandla Stenberg

Born October 23 in Los Angeles, Amandla Stenberg moved from early supporting roles to leading performances. They starred in ‘The Hate U Give’ and joined major franchises with projects like ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’. Stenberg’s work often intersects with music and fashion collaborations. They also develop original content as a writer and producer.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet was born November 16 in San Francisco, California. She first rose to fame on ‘The Cosby Show’ and its spin-off ‘A Different World’. Bonet’s film credits include ‘Angel Heart’ and ensemble dramas. She has made selective screen appearances while focusing on creative projects and advocacy.

Yaya DaCosta

Born November 15 in New York City, Yaya DaCosta transitioned from early reality-TV visibility to substantive acting roles. She portrayed Whitney Houston in a biopic and held a series regular role on ‘Chicago Med’. DaCosta’s filmography spans period pieces, legal dramas, and romantic features. She also works in fashion and brand campaigns alongside acting.

Tamala Jones

Tamala Jones was born November 12 in Los Angeles. She became widely known for her role on ‘Castle’ and earlier comedic turns in films like ‘Booty Call’ and ‘The Wood’. Jones has appeared across procedurals, sitcoms, and feature comedies. She continues to guest star and recur on network and streaming series.

Patina Miller

Born November 6 in Pageland, South Carolina, Patina Miller is a stage and screen performer. She earned major theater recognition and then moved to television with ‘Madam Secretary’ and ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’. Miller also appeared in the ‘Hunger Games’ films. Her career bridges musical theater, dramatic series, and franchise features.

Antonia Thomas

Antonia Thomas was born November 3 in London, England. She broke out as Alisha in ‘Misfits’ and later starred as Claire Browne on ‘The Good Doctor’. Thomas also leads in British miniseries and independent films. Her roles often span genre—from superhero-tinged drama to medical and relationship stories.

Thandiwe Newton

Born November 6 in London, Thandiwe Newton’s work includes landmark performances in ‘Crash’ and ‘Beloved’. She starred as Maeve in ‘Westworld’, earning widespread recognition for the role. Newton’s filmography covers studio features and auteur-driven dramas. She also produces and narrates documentary projects.

Yvonne Nelson

Yvonne Nelson was born November 12 in Accra, Ghana. A leading figure in Ghanaian cinema, she has starred in numerous Nollywood and Ghallywood features. Nelson also produces films under her own banner. Her work includes romantic dramas, thrillers, and social-issue stories distributed across West African markets and streaming platforms.

Monique Coleman

Monique Coleman was born November 13 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is best known for ‘High School Musical’ and its follow-ups, with additional roles in family and teen-focused series. Coleman has hosted and produced youth-oriented programs. She continues to work in television movies, web series, and philanthropy-linked media projects.

Dorothy Dandridge

Born November 9 in Cleveland, Ohio, Dorothy Dandridge was a trailblazing screen star and singer. She earned major recognition for leading roles in studio musicals and dramas, becoming a barrier-breaking nominee at top film awards. Dandridge also performed on stage and in nightclubs across the United States. Her legacy continues to influence portrayals of complex Black heroines on screen.

Esther Rolle

Esther Rolle was born November 8 in Pompano Beach, Florida. She became widely known for her role as Florida Evans on ‘Good Times’ after originating the character on ‘Maude’. Rolle also appeared in television movies and theater productions with strong social themes. Her performances emphasized family dynamics and community-centered storytelling.

Ethel Waters

Born October 31 in Chester, Pennsylvania, Ethel Waters built a pioneering career that bridged music and acting. She appeared in films and stage productions, including dramatic roles that expanded opportunities for Black performers. Waters transitioned to television work and live theater even as she continued recording. Her versatility helped open doors across multiple entertainment mediums.

Susan Kelechi Watson

Susan Kelechi Watson was born November 11 in Brooklyn, New York. She is best known for playing Beth Pearson on ‘This Is Us’. Watson trained in theater and has appeared in a range of stage works and guest roles on television dramas. She also participates in literary and educational initiatives tied to the performing arts.

Erika Alexander

Erika Alexander was born November 19 in Winslow, Arizona. She earned widespread recognition as Maxine Shaw on ‘Living Single’. Alexander has since worked across drama, genre television, and independent film, often taking on sharp-witted professionals and advocates. She also produces and co-creates graphic novels and documentary projects.

Sufe Bradshaw

Sufe Bradshaw was born November 16 in Chicago, Illinois. She is known for her role as Sue Wilson on ‘Veep’. Bradshaw has appeared in procedurals, sci-fi series, and independent films. She also supports community-based arts and training programs for young performers.

Florence Kasumba

Born October 26 in Kampala, Uganda, Florence Kasumba is recognized for roles in global franchises. She portrayed Ayo of the Dora Milaje in ‘Black Panther’ entries and appeared in ‘Wonder Woman’. Kasumba’s credits include European television and theater, underscoring a multilingual background. She continues to switch between action roles and character-driven dramas.

Edwina Findley

Edwina Findley was born October 30 in Washington, D.C. She starred in ‘If Loving You Is Wrong’ and appeared in ‘Treme’. Findley’s work includes guest arcs on crime dramas and features exploring family and faith. She also conducts performance workshops and advocacy rooted in arts education.

Rochelle Neil

Rochelle Neil was born November 4 in London, England. She is known for playing Annie Carbey on ‘The Nevers’. Neil’s screen work spans British police dramas, period pieces, and genre projects. She trained for stage performance and continues to appear in theater productions alongside television roles.

Willow Smith

Willow Smith was born October 31 in Los Angeles, California. She made her acting debut with roles in ‘I Am Legend’ and ‘Kit Kittredge: An American Girl’ before focusing more on music. Smith has since returned for select screen and voice performances. Her credits reflect early franchise work and later, more curated appearances.

Eve

Born November 10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eve balances a career in music with steady acting roles. She led the sitcom ‘Eve’ and appeared in films such as ‘Barbershop’ entries and action comedies. On television, she has hosted and taken recurring parts across drama and talk formats. Eve also contributes to film soundtracks and creative production.

Beverly Osu

Beverly Osu was born October 27 in Lagos, Nigeria. She transitioned from modeling and television presenting to acting in Nollywood films and series. Osu appears in contemporary dramas and romantic comedies geared toward streaming and cable audiences. She also collaborates with fashion brands and creative campaigns tied to film releases.

Rachel True

Rachel True was born November 15 in New York City. She is widely recognized for playing Rochelle in ‘The Craft’ and later starring in ‘Half & Half’. True’s filmography includes independent features, horror projects, and guest television roles. She has also worked as a voice performer and author.

Dania Ramirez

Born November 8 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Dania Ramirez is known for roles in ‘Heroes’, ‘Devious Maids’, and ‘Entourage’. She has appeared in franchise films and voiced characters in animation and games. Ramirez often portrays driven, quick-thinking protagonists in ensemble casts. She also serves as a producer on select projects.

Share your favorite Scorpio performances in the comments and tell us who else should make the list!