The Most Unique African-American Actors of All Time

From barrier-breaking icons to genre-spanning stars, African-American actors have shaped film and television in ways that changed the industry and broadened the kinds of stories that get told. The men below have anchored box-office hits, powered prestige dramas, built memorable franchises, and earned the highest honors in entertainment. Together, their careers trace a path through classic Hollywood, independent cinema, streaming-era television, and the modern blockbuster. Here’s a look at 40 standouts and the factual milestones that define their work.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has earned two Academy Awards—Supporting Actor for ‘Glory’ and Best Actor for ‘Training Day’—and multiple additional nominations across his career. He portrayed historical figures like Malcolm X in ‘Malcolm X’ and Rubin Carter in ‘The Hurricane’, becoming known for meticulous preparation and collaboration with director Spike Lee. Washington also directed and starred in ‘Fences’, bringing August Wilson’s play to the screen after his acclaimed Broadway revival. He continues franchise work as well, headlining the action series built around ‘The Equalizer’.

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier became the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor with ‘Lilies of the Field’. Earlier landmark performances included ‘The Defiant Ones’, ‘In the Heat of the Night’, and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’, each central to conversations about race on screen. He later moved behind the camera, directing hits such as ‘Stir Crazy’. Poitier also served as a diplomat for the Bahamas, reflecting his influence beyond film.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Million Dollar Baby’ and has multiple nominations spanning decades. His filmography ranges from ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ to franchise work like ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy. Freeman’s distinctive narration has become a hallmark of documentaries and feature films. He has also produced projects through Revelations Entertainment, supporting stories with social impact.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is among the highest-grossing actors in history, with major roles in ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Jurassic Park’, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury. He received an Honorary Academy Award recognizing his career and contributions to film. Jackson’s credits stretch across independent cinema, animation voice roles such as ‘The Incredibles’, and action franchises. He has maintained frequent collaborations with directors like Quentin Tarantino.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones is renowned for voicing Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ and Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’, alongside a distinguished stage and screen career. He has earned multiple Tony Awards and Emmys, plus an Honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement. Jones’s film roles include ‘The Great White Hope’ and ‘Coming to America’, and he has appeared in long-running television series and miniseries. His stage work encompasses Shakespeare and American classics, underscoring his versatility.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx won the Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying Ray Charles in ‘Ray’, while also earning a Supporting Actor nomination the same year for ‘Collateral’. He has balanced dramatic roles with comedies and action films, including ‘Django Unchained’ and ‘Baby Driver’. Foxx’s television background includes ‘In Living Color’ and his own sitcom, which helped launch his film career. A trained musician, he has released platinum albums and often integrates music into his screen projects.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy broke through on ‘Saturday Night Live’ before leading blockbuster comedies like ‘Beverly Hills Cop’, ‘Coming to America’, and ‘The Nutty Professor’. He earned an Academy Award nomination and won the Golden Globe for his supporting turn in ‘Dreamgirls’. Murphy’s voice work as Donkey in ‘Shrek’ became a defining role for a new generation of viewers. He has also returned to stand-up and developed sequels and reboots of signature titles.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘The Last King of Scotland’, praised for immersive character research. Earlier highlights include ‘Bird’, ‘Platoon’, and ‘Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai’, spanning biopic, war drama, and art-house noir. Whitaker has directed features and produced social-impact content through his company Significance Films. He also appears in major franchises, with roles in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman portrayed American icons Jackie Robinson in ’42’, James Brown in ‘Get on Up’, and Thurgood Marshall in ‘Marshall’. He led Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’, which became a cultural milestone and earned multiple Academy Award nominations as a film. Boseman’s final performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ received widespread award recognition posthumously. His career is noted for a consistent focus on transformative, historically rooted roles.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali is a two-time Academy Award winner for Supporting Actor with ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Green Book’. On television, he delivered acclaimed work in ‘True Detective’ and ‘House of Cards’. Ali started in theater and transitioned through television to prestige film, building a career on nuanced, internal performances. He has also been cast to lead Marvel’s new take on ‘Blade’, reflecting his movement between arthouse drama and franchise filmmaking.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and critical recognition for ensemble films like ‘Traffic’ and ‘Crash’. On television, he headlined ‘House of Lies’, receiving multiple Emmy nominations. Cheadle joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as James Rhodes/War Machine, appearing across several entries. He also directs and produces, with credits that include the Miles Davis biopic ‘Miles Ahead’.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne’s film credits include ‘Boyz n the Hood’, ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, and the ‘The Matrix’ trilogy, where he originated Morpheus on screen. He has won both Tony and Emmy awards, reflecting extensive theater and television work. Fishburne has taken on major television roles in series like ‘Hannibal’ and produced projects through Cinema Gypsy Productions. His early career featured roles in ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘The Cotton Club’, establishing a foundation in epic and period storytelling.

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright won Tony and Emmy awards for ‘Angels in America’ and became a fixture of prestige television with ‘Westworld’. His film work spans ‘Basquiat’, ‘Syriana’, and the James Bond series, where he played Felix Leiter. Wright received an Academy Award nomination for ‘American Fiction’, adding to decades of critical recognition. He continues to balance stage, television, and film, often collaborating with auteurs on character-driven projects.

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher won Emmys for ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ and the limited series ‘Thief’, cementing his status as a leading dramatic actor. He later reached a new audience with the ensemble comedy ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, earning additional award nominations. Braugher’s film appearances include ‘Glory’, ‘Primal Fear’, and ‘The Mist’, complementing his extensive television work. He was also active in theater, bringing classical training to contemporary roles.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan first gained attention with ‘The Wire’ and ‘Friday Night Lights’ before headlining ‘Fruitvale Station’. He expanded into franchise roles with ‘Creed’ and Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’, combining critical acclaim with commercial success. Jordan made his feature directorial debut with ‘Creed III’, adding filmmaking to his résumé. Through Outlier Society, he has produced projects and advanced industry conversations about inclusion riders and equitable hiring.

Will Smith

Will Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ‘King Richard’ and has been nominated multiple times across his career. He first rose to national attention on television with ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. Smith led some of the biggest box-office hits of the modern era, including ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Men in Black’. He also records and produces, earning Grammys and backing film and TV projects through his production companies.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes helped define late-1990s comic-book cinema by headlining ‘Blade’ and its sequels. His action and dramatic range is showcased in titles like ‘New Jack City’, ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, and ‘Passenger 57’. Trained in martial arts, he performed many of his own fight scenes, which shaped the style of several action films he led. Snipes also co-founded a production company that developed projects across genres.

Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr. became the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’. He earned widespread recognition for his role in the landmark miniseries ‘Roots’, adding Emmys and Golden Globes to his honors. Gossett worked steadily in film, television, and theater for decades, spanning drama, action, and family stories. He also founded a nonprofit focused on combating racism and supporting youth.

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was an acclaimed stage and screen actor and a celebrated bass-baritone singer, known for ‘Othello’ and ‘The Emperor Jones’. A former All-American athlete and Columbia-trained lawyer, he became an international cultural figure. Robeson used his platform to advocate for civil rights and labor movements, which affected his career during the blacklist era. His recordings, films, and stage work remain key references in American performing arts history.

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte balanced a successful acting career with groundbreaking achievements in music and activism. His film credits include ‘Carmen Jones’, ‘Island in the Sun’, and ‘The World, the Flesh and the Devil’. Belafonte organized and funded civil rights initiatives, working closely with key movement leaders. He also produced and starred in films such as ‘Buck and the Preacher’, expanding opportunities for Black creatives behind the camera.

Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis built a multi-hyphenate career as an actor, writer, and director, with notable performances in ‘Do the Right Thing’ and ‘Malcolm X’. He directed ‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’, one of the early studio features by a Black filmmaker. Davis frequently collaborated with Ruby Dee, his partner in life and art, on stage and screen. He received numerous honors recognizing both his artistic contributions and social advocacy.

Danny Glover

Danny Glover combined franchise success with socially engaged filmmaking, starring in ‘Lethal Weapon’ while championing independent cinema. His roles in ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘To Sleep with Anger’ showcased range across period drama and intimate character studies. Glover co-founded companies to produce international and independent projects, supporting diverse storytellers. He has also served as a goodwill ambassador and supported humanitarian causes.

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams brought smooth charisma to roles across film and television, most famously as Lando Calrissian in ‘Star Wars’. He delivered notable performances in ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ and ‘Mahogany’, building a reputation in music-adjacent dramas. Williams maintained a long television career with guest arcs and voice roles across animated and live-action series. His return appearances as Lando connected generations of fans to the franchise’s legacy.

Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers made an enduring mark as Apollo Creed in ‘Rocky’, later adding action classics like ‘Predator’ to his résumé. He transitioned to directing and producing, earning acclaim for work on ‘The Mandalorian’, where he also appeared on screen. Before acting, Weathers played professional football, which informed his athletic screen presence. His career spans film, television, animation voice roles, and behind-the-camera contributions.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Jerry Maguire’. He earned early acclaim with ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and continued with varied roles in projects such as ‘Radio’ and ‘As Good as It Gets’. Gooding worked across genres, from sports dramas to thrillers and comedies. He has also performed on stage and taken on television roles in limited series and procedurals.

Keith David

Keith David is known for commanding screen and voice performances in projects like ‘They Live’, ‘Platoon’, and the animated series ‘Gargoyles’. He has received multiple Emmys for voiceover and narration across documentary and news programming. David’s theater background includes classical and contemporary work, contributing to his versatility. His filmography spans horror, drama, comedy, and video games, where his voice roles are widely recognized.

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael K. Williams earned widespread recognition for his portrayal of Omar Little in ‘The Wire’ and Chalky White in ‘Boardwalk Empire’. He received multiple Emmy nominations for limited series and television films, reflecting strong work in long-form storytelling. Williams collaborated with documentarians and nonprofits on youth and reentry initiatives. His roles often explored complex communities and moral gray areas in contemporary American life.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown won Emmys for ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ and for ‘This Is Us’. He has worked in features, animation, and limited series, adding producing credits to several projects. Brown’s training and stage experience inform his television performances, which span legal drama, family saga, and sci-fi. He continues to develop projects that foreground character-driven stories and ensemble ensembles.

John David Washington

John David Washington moved from professional football to acting, first gaining attention in ‘Ballers’. He starred in ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and led major studio releases such as ‘Tenet’ and ‘The Creator’. Washington has balanced large-scale action with intimate dramas on stage and screen. He collaborates with established directors while pursuing theater roles that extend his range.

LaKeith Stanfield

LaKeith Stanfield’s breakout roles include ‘Short Term 12’ and the series ‘Atlanta’, followed by leads in ‘Sorry to Bother You’. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Stanfield’s filmography spans psychological thrillers, social satire, and period drama. He also records music and selects projects that experiment with tone and storytelling forms.

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie established a broad filmography across independent dramas and major franchises, including his turn as Sam Wilson/The Falcon in ‘Captain America’ entries and the Disney+ series ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. He trained at the Juilliard School and first drew wide notice with roles in ‘8 Mile’ and ‘The Hurt Locker’. Mackie has appeared on Broadway and Off-Broadway, balancing stage commitments with film and television work. He also produces through his own company, developing projects that expand opportunities for diverse casts and crews.

Ving Rhames

Ving Rhames is widely recognized for playing Luther Stickell in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, a role he has continued across multiple installments. His career spans intense dramas and character-driven thrillers such as ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, and ‘Con Air’. Rhames won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Don King in ‘Don King: Only in America’. He has also been a frequent presence in television films and series, showcasing versatility in crime, action, and biographical projects.

Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in ‘The Green Mile’, which brought him international attention. Before acting, he worked in security and as a bodyguard, later transitioning into film roles that leveraged his physicality and warmth. His credits include ‘Armageddon’, ‘The Whole Nine Yards’, and voice work in animated features like ‘Kung Fu Panda’. Duncan appeared on television as well, with recurring and guest roles that highlighted his comedic timing and dramatic presence.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hustle & Flow’ and achieved widespread television visibility with the series ‘Empire’. His film work includes standout performances in ‘Crash’, ‘Ray’, and ‘Iron Man’, reflecting range across ensemble drama, biopic, and superhero genres. Trained as an engineer before pursuing acting, Howard has also produced and recorded music. He remains active in film and television, working both in leading roles and as part of ensemble casts.

Larenz Tate

Larenz Tate broke through with ‘Menace II Society’ and followed with acclaimed turns in ‘Dead Presidents’ and ‘Love Jones’. He has maintained a steady television presence with roles in series such as ‘Power’ and ‘Rescue Me’. Tate’s career bridges romantic drama, crime stories, and historical narratives, often collaborating with notable directors and writers. He also participates in community and arts initiatives that support youth and education.

Omar Epps

Omar Epps emerged with performances in ‘Juice’ and ‘Higher Learning’ before joining long-running television hits like ‘House’. He continued to balance film and TV, appearing in sports dramas, thrillers, and ensemble features, including ‘The Wood’ and ‘Love & Basketball’. Epps has produced and authored projects that explore identity and community. He remains active in genre television, taking on roles that combine procedural elements with character-focused storytelling.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover has built a multi-hyphenate career as an actor, writer, producer, and musician, with breakthrough success in the series ‘Atlanta’. He first gained national attention as a writer on ’30 Rock’ and as an actor on ‘Community’. Glover has taken on film roles ranging from ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ to voice work in ‘The Lion King’. Under the name Childish Gambino, he has also won major music awards, reflecting a cross-disciplinary presence that informs his screen projects.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito became widely known for portraying Gus Fring in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’, earning multiple award nominations. His film work includes collaborations with Spike Lee on titles such as ‘Do the Right Thing’ and ‘Malcolm X’. Esposito has directed features and frequently appears in genre series, including ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Boys’. He is active in voice acting for animation and video games, expanding his footprint across media.

Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B. Vance won an Emmy for ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ and a Tony Award for his stage work in ‘Lucky Guy’. His film credits include ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and ‘Dangerous Minds’, while his television career spans legal dramas, limited series, and procedurals. Vance has produced projects that highlight historical and social themes. He also serves in leadership roles with arts organizations, supporting education and mentorship programs.

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo’s career covers film, television, and stage, with notable performances in ‘Crooklyn’, ‘Get Shorty’, and ‘The Cider House Rules’. He earned widespread acclaim for his role in ‘Da 5 Bloods’, adding to a body of work that blends crime drama, family stories, and period pieces. Lindo has led television series such as ‘The Good Fight’, bringing gravitas to legal and political narratives. He also maintains an active stage presence, including Shakespearean roles and contemporary plays.

Share your picks and the performances you think belong on this list in the comments!