The Oldest Living (and Still Active) Black Actresses in 2025

These legendary performers have defined generations of film and television with their talent and resilience. From groundbreaking roles in the golden age of Hollywood to commanding performances in modern cinema, they continue to influence the entertainment industry today. This list honors their enduring legacies and ongoing contributions to the arts.

Penny Johnson Jerald

Penny Johnson Jerald has maintained a steady presence in major television franchises throughout her prolific career. She gained widespread recognition for her commanding role as Sherry Palmer in the action series ’24’ and later as Captain Gates in ‘Castle’. Her work in science fiction includes playing Kasidy Yates in ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ and Dr. Claire Finn in ‘The Orville’. Jerald remains a versatile figure in the industry with recent appearances in film and television projects.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is celebrated for her intense portrayals of real-life figures and powerful fictional characters. She received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for her transformation into Tina Turner in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’. Her role as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe earned her a second Oscar nomination and cemented her status as a global icon. Bassett continues to lead the hit drama series ‘9-1-1’ while producing content that highlights diverse stories.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph originated the role of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical ‘Dreamgirls’ which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She later became a television staple with her role as Deidra “Dee” Mitchell on the sitcom ‘Moesha’. Ralph experienced a major career resurgence with her Emmy-winning performance as Barbara Howard on the hit comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’. Her career spans decades of theater, film, and activism for HIV/AIDS awareness.

Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis is often referred to as the “Mother of Black Hollywood” due to her extensive resume playing matriarchal figures. She brought her comedic timing and dramatic depth to the role of Ruby Johnson on the long-running series ‘Black-ish’. Her voice acting credits include Flo in the ‘Cars’ franchise and Mama Odie in ‘The Princess and the Frog’. Lewis remains active in the industry with roles in ‘I Love That for You’ and various film projects.

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Vanessa Bell Calloway has delivered memorable performances since her breakout role as Princess Imani in the comedy classic ‘Coming to America’. She demonstrated her dramatic range in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and the television drama ‘Saints & Sinners’. Her career includes consistent work in both film and television with recent roles in the ‘Coming 2 America’ sequel and the series ‘Shameless’. Calloway also directs and produces content for the stage and screen.

Khandi Alexander

Khandi Alexander is known for her intense dramatic performances and background in choreography. She gained fame for her role as Catherine Duke on the sitcom ‘NewsRadio’ and later as Dr. Alexx Woods on ‘CSI: Miami’. Her portrayal of Maya Lewis in the political thriller ‘Scandal’ earned her critical praise and an Emmy nomination. Alexander continues to work in television with recurring roles in major series like ‘SEAL Team’.

Jackée Harry

Jackée Harry made television history as the first African American to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She became a household name playing the fashion-forward Sandra Clark on the sitcom ‘227’. Her career continued to flourish with her role as Lisa Landry on ‘Sister, Sister’ and recent appearances on the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’. Harry remains a beloved figure in comedy and frequently appears in television movies.

Debbi Morgan

Debbi Morgan is best known for her history-making portrayal of Dr. Angie Hubbard on the soap opera ‘All My Children’. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for the role and played the character across multiple series for over thirty years. Morgan garnered critical acclaim for her performance as Mozelle Batiste-Delacroix in the film ‘Eve’s Bayou’. She continues to captivate audiences with roles in the crime drama ‘Power’ and ‘Our Kind of People’.

Adriane Lenox

Adriane Lenox is a Tony Award-winning actress known for her powerful work on the Broadway stage and in film. She received the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in ‘Doubt’ and later reprised the role in the film adaptation. Her television credits include significant recurring roles in ‘The Blacklist’ and ‘Daredevil’. Lenox remains active in the New York theater scene and appears in prestige television dramas like ‘Julia’.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Her film career includes iconic roles in ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘Ghost’ for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has served as the moderator of the daytime talk show ‘The View’ since 2007. Goldberg continues to act in films such as ‘Till’ and the upcoming adaptation of ‘Anansi Boys’.

Bern Nadette Stanis

BernNadette Stanis became a cultural icon in the 1970s with her portrayal of Thelma Evans on the groundbreaking sitcom ‘Good Times’. Her character is often cited as the first Black female teenager on television to be portrayed with such style and intelligence. She has authored several books and remains a fixture on the lecture circuit discussing her time in Hollywood. Stanis continues to act with recent roles in the series ‘The Family Business’.

Ella Joyce

Ella Joyce is best recognized for her role as Eleanor Emerson on the comedy-drama series ‘Roc’. She has an extensive theater background and originated the role of Tonya in August Wilson’s ‘King Hedley II’. Her film credits include ‘Set It Off’ and ‘Bubba Ho-Tep’ where she displayed her versatility. Joyce remains active in the industry with a recent role in the series ‘Haus of Vicious’.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey transitioned from a media mogul to an acclaimed actress with her debut in ‘The Color Purple’. She delivered powerful performances in ‘The Butler’ and the fantasy film ‘A Wrinkle in Time’. Her production company Harpo Productions has been responsible for numerous successful films and television series. Winfrey continues to produce and act in projects that highlight the African American experience.

CCH Pounder

CCH Pounder is a Guyanese-American actress known for her authoritative presence and distinctive voice. She received multiple Emmy nominations for her work in ‘The X-Files’ and ‘The Shield’ as well as for ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’. Pounder reached a massive global audience through her role as Mo’at in James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ franchise. She stars in ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ and continues to work on the ‘Avatar’ sequels.

S. Epatha Merkerson

S. Epatha Merkerson holds the record for the longest-running African American character in primetime television drama for her role as Anita Van Buren on ‘Law & Order’. She won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in the HBO film ‘Lackawanna Blues’. Her stage work includes two Tony Award nominations for ‘The Piano Lesson’ and ‘Come Back, Little Sheba’. Merkerson currently stars as Sharon Goodwin on the hit medical drama ‘Chicago Med’.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard has earned four Primetime Emmy Awards and an Academy Award nomination during her distinguished career. Her filmography includes critically acclaimed performances in ‘Cross Creek’ and ‘Passion Fish’ as well as the historical drama ’12 Years a Slave’. She has portrayed complex characters in television series like ‘Luke Cage’ and ‘See’. Woodard remains one of the most respected actors in the industry with recent work in ‘The Porter’.

Lynn Whitfield

Lynn Whitfield gained international acclaim for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Josephine Baker in ‘The Josephine Baker Story’. She is known for playing sophisticated and formidable women in films like ‘Eve’s Bayou’ and ‘A Thin Line Between Love and Hate’. Her recent television work includes the role of Lady Mae Greenleaf in the drama series ‘Greenleaf’. Whitfield continues to bring gravitas to her roles in series such as ‘The Chi’.

Roz Ryan

Roz Ryan began her career on Broadway in ‘Dreamgirls’ before transitioning to television with a long-running role on the sitcom ‘Amen’. She provided the voice of Thalia the Muse in Disney’s animated feature ‘Hercules’ and its subsequent television series. Ryan has built a successful career in voice acting for cartoons like ‘Adventure Time’ and ‘The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack’. She remains active in both voice work and live-action television.

L. Scott Caldwell

L. Scott Caldwell is a Tony Award-winning actress who has excelled in theater, film, and television. She is widely recognized by television audiences for her role as Rose on the hit series ‘Lost’. Her stage career includes a Tony win for her performance in August Wilson’s ‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone’. Caldwell continues to work steadily with recurring roles in ‘The Resident’ and ‘Our Kind of People’.

Jo Marie Payton

Jo Marie Payton is best known for her role as the matriarch Harriette Winslow on the popular sitcom ‘Family Matters’. She originated the character on ‘Perfect Strangers’ before anchoring the spinoff series for nine seasons. Her distinctive voice can be heard as Suga Mama in the animated series ‘The Proud Family’ and its revival ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’. Payton remains a beloved figure in television comedy and animation.

Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen is a multi-talented artist who has achieved success as an actress, dancer, choreographer, and director. She rose to fame playing Lydia Grant in the television series ‘Fame’ and later served as its principal choreographer. Allen has played Dr. Catherine Fox on the long-running medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ where she also serves as an executive producer. Her dance academy continues to train the next generation of performers while she remains a creative force in Hollywood.

Gloria Hendry

Gloria Hendry broke barriers as one of the first African American women to be romantically involved with James Bond in ‘Live and Let Die’. She starred in several blaxploitation classics of the 1970s including ‘Black Caesar’ and ‘Black Belt Jones’. Hendry has maintained a presence in the industry with appearances in documentaries and independent films. She recently performed at The World Stage and continues to celebrate her legacy in cinema.

Vernee Watson-Johnson

Vernee Watson-Johnson is a veteran character actress best known for playing Viola “Aunt Vy” Smith on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. She has an extensive voice acting resume including shows like ‘Animaniacs’ and ‘Batman: The Animated Series’. Watson-Johnson won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her recurring guest role on the soap opera ‘General Hospital’. She currently stars as a series regular on the sitcom ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’.

Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in the Broadway production of ‘Dreamgirls’ before becoming a star of film and television. She delivered memorable performances in ‘Waiting to Exhale’ and won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Her distinctive voice has been featured in ‘Doc McStuffins’ and she starred in the critically acclaimed drama ‘P-Valley’. Devine remains one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood with roles in numerous holiday movies and series.

Pam Grier

Pam Grier became a cinema icon in the 1970s as the star of blaxploitation films like ‘Foxy Brown’ and ‘Coffy’. She experienced a major career resurgence with her Golden Globe-nominated performance in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Jackie Brown’. Grier was a regular cast member on the series ‘The L Word’ and ‘Smallville’ in the 2000s. She continues to act in projects such as the horror anthology ‘Them’ and the film ‘Cinnamon’.

Grace Jones

Grace Jones is a model, singer, and actress known for her striking androgynous appearance and bold artistic choices. She starred as the warrior Zula in ‘Conan the Destroyer’ and the villainous May Day in the James Bond film ‘A View to a Kill’. Her influence extends across the fashion and music industries where she remains a singular figure. Jones continues to perform globally and contributes to documentaries about her life and career.

Daphne Maxwell Reid

Daphne Maxwell Reid is best known for her role as Vivian Banks on the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ from 1993 to 1996. She was the first African American woman to grace the cover of Glamour magazine during her modeling career. Reid and her husband Tim Reid founded New Millennium Studios in Virginia to promote independent film production. She recently returned to the ‘Fresh Prince’ universe with a guest appearance on the reboot series ‘Bel-Air’.

Telma Hopkins

Telma Hopkins first gained fame as a member of the pop music group Tony Orlando and Dawn before transitioning to acting. She became a sitcom staple with major roles in ‘Bosom Buddies’, ‘Gimme a Break!’, and ‘Family Matters’. Hopkins has maintained a steady career with recent roles in the Netflix series ‘Dead to Me’ and the comedy ‘Run the World’. She continues to be a vibrant presence in television comedy.

Anna Maria Horsford

Anna Maria Horsford is best known for her role as Thelma Frye on the long-running sitcom ‘Amen’. She gained a new generation of fans with her performance as Mrs. Jones in the ‘Friday’ film franchise. Her career includes a recurring role on the soap opera ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ which earned her two Emmy nominations. Horsford remains active with recent appearances on the sitcom ‘The Conners’.

Phylicia Rashād

Phylicia Rashād redefined the image of the television mother with her iconic role as Clair Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’. She became the first Black actress to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’. Her film credits include the ‘Creed’ franchise where she plays Mary Anne Creed. Rashad continues to act in high-profile projects like ‘The Beekeeper’ while serving as a dean at Howard University.

Sheila Frazier

Sheila Frazier became a star of the 1970s with her debut role as Georgia in the classic film ‘Super Fly’. She went on to appear in ‘Three the Hard Way’ and hosted a community affairs show in Los Angeles. Frazier has worked as a producer and casting director in addition to her acting work. She returned to the screen with roles in ‘Being Mary Jane’ and continues to be involved in the entertainment industry.

Beverly Todd

Beverly Todd is a respected actress, producer, and writer who was mentored by Sidney Poitier early in her career. She starred in films such as ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘The Bucket List’ alongside Morgan Freeman. Todd had a recurring role on the hit drama ‘9-1-1’ as the mother of Athena Grant. She remains active in the industry and is involved in various arts education initiatives.

Hattie Winston

Hattie Winston is a veteran actress of stage and screen who was a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company. She is well known for her role as Margaret Wyborn on the sitcom ‘Becker’ and as a cast member of ‘The Electric Company’. Winston has appeared in films like ‘Jackie Brown’ and ‘True Crime’. She continues to work in the industry and has authored a book released in 2025.

Petronia Paley

Petronia Paley is an award-winning actor, director, and playwright known for her work in daytime television. She played the roles of Dr. Jessie Rawlings on ‘The Doctors’ and Vivian Grant on ‘Guiding Light’. Paley has an extensive background in theater and has taught acting at various institutions. She remains active in the New York theater community and continues to direct and perform.

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight is the “Empress of Soul” whose recording career with The Pips produced numerous classic hits. She made her acting debut in the film ‘Pipe Dreams’ for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Knight has had recurring roles on television series like ‘Jamie Foxx Show’, ‘Empire’, and ‘Star’. She continues to perform musically and makes occasional appearances in film and television.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes before launching a highly successful solo career. She received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the film ‘Lady Sings the Blues’. Her acting credits include the lead role in ‘Mahogany’ and the musical ‘The Wiz’. Ross continues to tour internationally and remains a cultural icon in music and film.

Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle is a music legend who has also established a successful acting career over several decades. She starred in her own sitcom ‘Out All Night’ and has had recurring roles on ‘A Different World’ and ‘Greenleaf’. LaBelle appeared in the horror anthology series ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’. She continues to act in television movies and specials while maintaining her music career.

Margaret Avery

Margaret Avery received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Shug Avery in ‘The Color Purple’. She has appeared in numerous films and television shows including a starring role in the series ‘Being Mary Jane’. Avery recently starred in the Netflix comedy series ‘A Man on the Inside’. She remains an active and respected figure in Hollywood.

Leslie Uggams

Leslie Uggams achieved early fame for her portrayal of Kizzy Reynolds in the landmark miniseries ‘Roots’. She won a Tony Award for her performance in the musical ‘Hallelujah, Baby!’ and has had a prolific stage career. Uggams gained a new legion of fans with her role as Blind Al in the ‘Deadpool’ film franchise. She continues to work in high-profile projects including the Amazon series ‘Fallout’.

Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick is a music industry titan who has sold over 100 million records worldwide. She hosted the hit music program ‘Solid Gold’ in the 1980s and has appeared in numerous documentaries and films. Warwick has found new fame as a social media personality and continues to be involved in biographical projects about her life. She remains an active presence in the entertainment world through tours and appearances.

Starletta DuPois

Starletta DuPois is a celebrated character actress known for her warm and dignified portrayals of mothers and grandmothers. She appeared in films such as ‘The Notebook’, ‘Waiting to Exhale’, and ‘Friday After Next’. DuPois has a distinguished theater career and has received a Tony nomination for ‘The Mighty Gents’. She recently appeared in the 2025 Paul Thomas Anderson film ‘One Battle After Another’.

Barbara Montgomery

Barbara Montgomery is a stage and television actress best known for her role as Cassietta Hetebrink on the sitcom ‘Amen’. She began her career with the Negro Ensemble Company and has directed independent films including ‘Mitote’. Her television credits include appearances on ‘A Different World’, ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Montgomery remains a respected elder in the theater community.

Irma P. Hall

Irma P. Hall is a beloved character actress who often plays wise and formidable matriarchs. She won a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the Coen Brothers’ ‘The Ladykillers’. Hall is well known for playing Big Mama Joseph in the film ‘Soul Food’ and its television spinoff. She continues to act in independent films such as ‘Twice as Good’.

Marla Gibbs

Marla Gibbs is a television legend who became a breakout star playing the maid Florence Johnston on ‘The Jeffersons’. She later starred in and produced the hit sitcom ‘227’ which was set in her hometown of Chicago. At 94 years old, Gibbs remains remarkably active with a recent recurring role on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and appearances on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She recently published her memoir and continues to be honored for her contributions to television history.

Let us know in the comments which of these legendary actresses is your all-time favorite.