Best African-American Actors
The Top Ten
1 Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received three Golden Globe awards, a Tony Award, and two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for the historical war drama film Glory and Best Actor for his role as a corrupt cop in the crime thriller Training Day.
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received three Golden Globe awards, a Tony Award, and two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for the historical war drama film Glory and Best Actor for his role as a corrupt cop in the crime thriller Training Day. One Of The Greatest Actors Of All Time. Not Number One...But Number One In All African American Actors To Ever Live. The Guy Is Blessed.
2 Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director and narrator. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. Freeman won an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Supporting Actor with Million Dollar Baby (2004), ...read more.
Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director and narrator. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. Freeman won an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Supporting Actor with Million Dollar Baby (2004), ...read more.
3 Will Smith
Willard Carroll "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is best known for his acting career overall. He has been in many popular movies, These include, but are not limited to, the Men in Black franchise, The Pursuit of Happyness, ...read more.
Willard Carroll "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is best known for his acting career overall. He has been in many popular movies, These include, but are not limited to, the Men in Black franchise, The Pursuit of Happyness, ...read more.
4 Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, author, and diplomat. In 1964, Poitier became the first Bahamian and first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field.
Sir Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, author, and diplomat. In 1964, Poitier became the first Bahamian and first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field.
5 Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American actor and film producer. He achieved prominence and critical acclaim in the early 1990s with films such as Jungle Fever, Patriot Games, Amos & Andrew, True Romance, Jurassic Park and his collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino including Pulp Fiction, Jackie ...read more.
Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American actor and film producer. He achieved prominence and critical acclaim in the early 1990s with films such as Jungle Fever, Patriot Games, Amos & Andrew, True Romance, Jurassic Park and his collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino including Pulp Fiction, Jackie ...read more.
6 Don Cheadle
7 Lawrence Fishburn
8 Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author.
He is most famous for his contribution to the TV show "The Cosby Show," which he produced and starred in. His other works include "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," "Kids Say the Darndest Things," and "I Spy," among others.
Over 60 women have accused him of sexual assault. These charges include rape, date... read more
William Henry "Bill" Cosby Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author.He is most famous for his contribution to the TV show "The Cosby Show," which he produced and starred in. His other works include "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," "Kids Say the Darndest Things," and "I Spy," among others.
Over 60 women have accused him of sexual assault. These charges include rape, date... read more
9 Forest Whitaker
Forest Steven Whitaker III is an American actor, producer and director who has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird, The Crying Game, Platoon, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Great Debaters, The Butler and Arrival.He has also appeared in blockbusters such ...read more.
Forest Steven Whitaker III is an American actor, producer and director who has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird, The Crying Game, Platoon, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Great Debaters, The Butler and Arrival.He has also appeared in blockbusters such ...read more.
10 Kevin Hart
Kevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for ...read more.
Kevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for ...read more.The Contenders
11 Ruby Dee
12 James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American actor who in a career spanning more than 60 years has become known as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors and "one of the greatest actors in American history." Since his Broadway debut in 1957, Jones has won many awards, including a Tony Award and Golden Globe Award for his role in The Great White Hope.
James Earl Jones is an American actor who in a career spanning more than 60 years has become known as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors and "one of the greatest actors in American history." Since his Broadway debut in 1957, Jones has won many awards, including a Tony Award and Golden Globe Award for his role in The Great White Hope. This guy gave us DARTH VADER AND MUFASA! That alone cements his place in the top 5 African American Actors! Will Smith and Sam Jackson are the best, but Jones deserves A LOT of credit.
13 Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Aaron Boseman (November 29, 1976 - August 28, 2020) was an American actor born in Anderson, South Carolina. He was best known for playing T'Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
Chadwick Aaron Boseman (November 29, 1976 - August 28, 2020) was an American actor born in Anderson, South Carolina. He was best known for playing T'Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
14 Anthony Mackie
Anthony Dwane Mackie is an American actor who has been featured in films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Drowning Crow, McReele, A Soldier's Play and Carl Hancock Rux's Talk, for which he won an Obie Award in 2002.
Anthony Dwane Mackie is an American actor who has been featured in films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Drowning Crow, McReele, A Soldier's Play and Carl Hancock Rux's Talk, for which he won an Obie Award in 2002.
15 Wesley Snipes
16 Louis Gossett Jr.
17 Dave Chappelle
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an African American stand-up comedian, screenwriter, producer, and actor.
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an African American stand-up comedian, screenwriter, producer, and actor.BAdd New Item