Hollywood Actors Who Were Target of Racism

The entertainment industry has long struggled with issues of diversity and representation. Many talented performers have faced systemic barriers and personal attacks based on their racial identity. These actors have spoken out about their experiences with prejudice during auditions or on set. Their stories highlight the ongoing need for equality and respect within Hollywood. This list explores the experiences of male actors who have navigated racism in their careers.

John Boyega

The British actor faced significant racial harassment after being cast as a stormtrooper in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. Boyega spoke openly about the toxicity of the fanbase and the lack of support from studio executives at the time. He criticized how his character was marketed and sidelined compared to his white co-stars. His vocal stance on these issues sparked important conversations about how franchises treat actors of color.

Idris Elba

Elba has faced intense scrutiny and racist backlash whenever rumors surface about him potentially playing James Bond. Critics have argued that the iconic spy cannot be played by a Black man. The actor expressed disheartening feelings about the discourse surrounding the role. He noted that the racism attached to the casting speculation made the opportunity less appealing.

Michael B. Jordan

When Jordan was cast as the Human Torch in the 2015 film ‘Fantastic Four’, he became a target of online racism. Comic book purists complained about a Black actor playing a character originally depicted as white. Jordan responded by encouraging fans to embrace a modern reflection of the world. He has since focused on creating projects that uplift diverse voices through his own production company.

Dev Patel

After his breakout role in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Patel found himself typecast and offered stereotypical roles. He expressed frustration at being labeled solely as a quirky sidekick or a terrorist in early scripts. The actor worked hard to break out of these boxes with diverse roles in films like ‘The Green Knight’. Patel has frequently discussed the limited imagination casting directors often have for South Asian actors.

Simu Liu

The star of ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ has been a vocal advocate against anti-Asian hate. Liu faced derogatory comments about his appearance and was told he was not attractive enough to lead a blockbuster. He utilized social media to call out the racism he and his community faced during the pandemic. His success proved that Asian-led superhero films have massive global appeal.

Riz Ahmed

Ahmed has detailed the humiliating racial profiling he experiences at airports due to his ethnicity. He created “The Riz Test” to measure how Muslims are portrayed in film and television. The actor noted that he is often stopped for secondary searches while his white colleagues pass through easily. He continues to fight against the dangerous tropes that vilify characters of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent.

Mahershala Ali

Despite being a two-time Oscar winner, Ali has shared stories about racial profiling in his daily life. He revealed that he is on a government watchlist that causes him trouble when traveling. The actor spoke about how his conversion to Islam added another layer to the discrimination he faces. Ali uses his platform to humanize the experience of Black Muslim men in America.

Forest Whitaker

The Academy Award-winning actor experienced a humiliating incident at a New York deli in 2013. An employee accused him of shoplifting and subjected him to a frisking in front of other customers. Whitaker found the situation to be a clear violation of his rights based on racial bias. He spoke out about the incident to highlight that fame does not shield Black men from profiling.

Kal Penn

Penn has revealed the racist nature of many scripts he received early in his career. He famously shared excerpts from auditions that required him to use exaggerated accents. One specific casting call asked for a “Gandhi lookalike” and characters with names like “Taj Mahal”. He eventually moved into production to ensure better representation for South Asian actors.

Kumail Nanjiani

Nanjiani refused to perform a stereotypical accent during his audition for ‘Silicon Valley’. The actor made it clear he would only play the role with his natural voice. He has spoken about the pressure Hollywood places on brown actors to be the punchline of a joke. His persistence helped change the writers’ approach to his character.

Henry Golding

Golding faced a unique form of backlash after being cast in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. Some critics claimed he was not “Asian enough” because of his mixed heritage. The actor defended his identity and the validity of his experience as a man of two cultures. He argued that gatekeeping within marginalized communities is counterproductive to progress.

Diego Luna

When ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ was released, Luna received criticism for keeping his natural Mexican accent. Some viewers claimed it made his dialogue difficult to understand. The actor celebrated the decision as a win for representation in a galaxy far away. He was touched by stories of fans who finally felt seen by hearing a hero sound like them.

John Leguizamo

Leguizamo has spent decades fighting for Latinx representation in Hollywood. He has spoken about being told there was no audience for Latin stories. The actor often faced rejection because studios claimed they already had one Latin actor in the cast. He continues to call out the lack of Hispanic executives and decision-makers in the industry.

Jamie Foxx

Foxx has discussed the racism he encountered while promoting ‘Django Unchained’. He noted that the use of racial slurs in the script was difficult but necessary for historical accuracy. The actor has also shared stories about being profiled by police while driving luxury cars. He emphasizes that success does not erase the color of his skin in the eyes of law enforcement.

Samuel L. Jackson

Growing up during the civil rights era gave Jackson a distinct perspective on American racism. He has criticized the industry for prioritizing British Black actors over African Americans for films about US history. The actor has also been vocal about the pay disparities he faced earlier in his career. Jackson remains one of the most bankable stars despite the systemic hurdles he navigated.

Anthony Mackie

Mackie has shared that he is frequently stopped by security on his own movie sets. He noted that guards often refuse to believe he is a lead actor without seeing his credentials. The star of ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ pointed out the lack of diversity behind the camera as well. He advocates for studios to hire more Black crew members to change the production culture.

Ray Fisher

Fisher alleged abusive behavior and racism during the reshoots of ‘Justice League’. He accused the director and studio executives of lightening skin tones and cutting the storylines of actors of color. The actor risked his career to bring these issues to light. His testimony sparked an internal investigation and a broader conversation about accountability.

Ncuti Gatwa

The casting of Gatwa as the first Black lead in ‘Doctor Who’ was met with racist trolling. He reported that he had to separate himself from social media to maintain his mental health. The actor chose to focus on the joy of the role rather than the hate. He views his position as a victory for progress in British television.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Abdul-Mateen II has spoken about the constant fear associated with police interactions. He draws on these real-life anxieties when playing characters dealing with systemic injustice. The actor noted that Black men often have to shrink themselves to appear less threatening. He brings this vulnerability to his roles to challenge societal perceptions.

Harold Perrineau

Perrineau expressed frustration with how his character was written out of the show ‘Lost’. He felt that the writers did not know how to handle a Black father figure. The actor criticized the narrative that often leaves characters of color without resolution or depth. His concerns highlighted the need for diverse writers’ rooms.

Djimon Hounsou

Hounsou has voiced his disappointment over the pay disparity he faces compared to white actors. He noted that despite multiple Oscar nominations, he still struggles to get fair compensation. The actor feels that the industry undervalues the contributions of African performers. He continues to push for equity in contract negotiations.

Wes Studi

Studi has spent his career fighting against the savage stereotypes of Native Americans in Westerns. He works to ensure that Indigenous characters are portrayed with dignity and complexity. The actor became the first Native American to receive an honorary Oscar. He views his accolades as a step forward for a severely underrepresented community.

Danny Trejo

Trejo was typecast as an inmate or gang member for most of his early career. He embraced these roles to put food on the table but acknowledged the limitation it placed on him. The actor used his background to bring authenticity while slowly expanding his range. He now produces films that offer more varied opportunities for Latino actors.

Steven Yeun

Yeun left ‘The Walking Dead’ and sought roles that did not hinge on his ethnicity. He faced pressure early on to perform with an accent despite being raised in America. The actor became the first Asian American nominated for Best Actor for his work in ‘Minari’. He actively chooses projects that subvert the expectations placed on Asian men.

Ken Jeong

Jeong has faced heckling and racial slurs while performing stand-up comedy. He uses humor to disarm the ignorance of audience members who target him. The actor has also spoken about the pain of the Atlanta spa shootings and anti-Asian violence. He advocates for the industry to move beyond using Asian men as punchlines.

Sterling K. Brown

Brown has discussed the reality of teaching his children how to interact with the police. He brings this personal fear into his dramatic work to show the humanity of Black fathers. The actor has noted that Hollywood often celebrates Black pain rather than Black joy. He seeks out roles that show a full spectrum of emotion.

David Oyelowo

Oyelowo was at the center of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy after being snubbed for ‘Selma’. He linked the lack of recognition to his vocal support for the “I Can’t Breathe” movement. The actor pointed out that the Academy historically rewards Black actors for subservient roles. He continues to fight for recognition of films that depict Black leadership.

Caleb McLaughlin

The young star of ‘Stranger Things’ opened up about the racism he faced from the fandom. He revealed that he had fewer followers than his white co-stars because of his race. McLaughlin shared how painful it was to ask his parents why he was treated differently. He uses his platform to encourage kindness and inclusivity among young fans.

Steve Toussaint

Toussaint faced a barrage of online abuse after being cast in ‘House of the Dragon’. Fans of the source material claimed a Black Velaryon was historically inaccurate for the fantasy world. The actor dismissed the criticism as racism disguised as purism. He delivered a commanding performance that silenced many of his detractors.

Jason Momoa

Momoa struggled to find work after ‘Game of Thrones’ because casting directors assumed he did not speak English. His mixed heritage often left him in a category that was hard for agents to define. The actor eventually carved out his own niche as an action star. He advocates for the protection of indigenous lands and cultures.

Giancarlo Esposito

Esposito has spoken about being denied roles early in his career because he was not “Black enough” or “Italian enough”. He often had to play ambiguous criminals because directors did not know where to place him. The actor learned to use his unique background to play commanding and intellectual villains. He is now one of the most respected character actors in the business.

Don Cheadle

Cheadle has been stopped by police in Los Angeles multiple times without cause. He has shared that fame does not insulate him from the systemic issues in law enforcement. The actor uses his celebrity status to advocate for social justice and policy reform. He believes it is his responsibility to speak up for those who cannot.

Tyler James Williams

Williams experienced the trauma of being a child star on a show that dealt with racism. He noted that ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ was often stressful because he was living the difficult experiences his character portrayed. The actor felt the pressure of carrying a show about race at a young age. He has since been open about the mental health toll of the industry.

Blair Underwood

Underwood has discussed the limited roles available to Black men in the eighties and nineties. He often had to fight to be seen as a romantic lead rather than a side character. The actor worked to change the perception of Black men in corporate and professional roles. His career longevity proves that diversity appeals to mainstream audiences.

Harry Shum Jr.

Shum Jr. has criticized the way Hollywood desexualizes Asian men on screen. He actively sought roles that allowed him to be a romantic interest. The actor believes that media representation directly impacts how people are treated in the real world. He pushes for storylines that show Asian men as complex and desirable.

Dulé Hill

Hill has spoken about the need for diverse storytellers in the writers’ room. He noted that nuances of the Black experience are often missed by white writers. The actor advocates for mentorship programs to bring up the next generation of creatives. He believes true change happens behind the camera.

O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Jackson Jr. has defended his casting in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ against claims of nepotism that he felt were racially charged. He argued that his hard work was dismissed because he is a Black man from a famous family. The actor has since proven his range in various other projects. He speaks out against the double standards applied to Black actors.

Chris Rock

Rock has documented his frequent police stops on social media to prove a point. He hosted the Oscars and addressed the lack of diversity in the room directly. The comedian uses his stand-up to deconstruct the absurdity of racism in America. He refuses to let the industry become comfortable with the status quo.

Eddie Murphy

Murphy famously boycotted the Oscars for years due to their lack of recognition for Black comedians. He used his time as a presenter to make jokes about the whiteness of the awards. The actor faced barriers breaking into Hollywood despite being a massive stand-up star. He paved the way for countless comedians of color who followed him.

Share your thoughts on these actors’ experiences and the state of Hollywood diversity in the comments.