Hollywood has been known as a big industry Offering works to numerous actors. For major part of the Industry’s history, whites actors ruled the silver screeen whereas black people were chosen for the minor roles. However, with the advancement of time, There has been a drastic change in the way the black people were treated in the society.
Over the time, Hollywood has mended it’s ways and now it is one of the most diverse work sector. Today, we are going to discuss the top 20 famous black actors who made it big in Hollywood.
List Of The Top 20 Famous Black Actors
20. Ving Rhames
This American actor was born on 12th May, 1959 in Harlem, NYC, United States. He is our beloved Luther Stickell from the film series Mission Impossible. He is also known for his supporting role as gang kingpin Marcellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction. This several-time Golden Globe Awards winning actor has also brought a prime-time Emmy Award home.
Famous Movies: Pulp Fiction, Dawn of the Dead, Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
19. Wesley Snipes
W. Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer and martial artist. He was born on 31st July 1962 in Orlando, Florida, United States. The 59 years old actor is famous for his unique acting skills in the movies. For example Blade, Passenger 57, White Men Can’t Jump, and Demolition Man. The two times Black Real Awards winner has also won the blockbuster entertainment award, chainsaw award, and ACY award.
18. Larenz Tate
This American film and television actor is best known for his roles as all dog in ‘Menace to Society’ and as Councilman Rashad Tate in power. The legendary actor was born on 8 September 1975 in Chicago, United States. The 46-year-old actor is famous for his movies that include Dead Presidents, Love Jones, A Man Apart, Crash, Waist deep, and Ray. He has achieved numerous felicitations including Black Real Awards, and Critics Choice Award
17. Michael Clarke Duncan
He was born on 10th December 1957 in Chicago, United States. His best role includes the breakout role as John Coffey in the green mile. His unique acting skills made him the nominee for the Academy Awards for best-supporting actor. Some of his famous movies are The scorpion King, Planet of the apes, Daredevil, and The Island. He received The Critics Choice Movie Awards for the best supporting actor. The legendary actor died on 3rd September 2012.
16. Cuba Gooding Jr.
C. mark Gooding is an American actor who was born on 2nd January 1968 in New York, United States. The actor has garnered a loyal fanbase with his graceful acting in the movies. For example, Men of Honour, What Dreams May Come, Pearl Harbour, Life of King, etc. He has received an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role. He also received Critics Choice Movie Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and NAACP Image Award for outstanding acting.
15. Idris Elba
Elba was born and brought up in London, England. He is famous for his performances in the HBO series The Wire. Idris has also shown his skills in the BBC One series Luther as well as the 2013 film ‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom’. Elba has also been cast in five MCU films. The amazing singer, songwriter, rapper as well as DJ, Alba was also selected for the People’s magazine “sexiest man alive” in 2018.
Famous Movies: The Wire, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War
14. Michael B Jordan
He is an American actor and film producer who was born on 9 February 1987 in California. The 35 years old actor has gained recognition for his stellar performances in the films Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther. He was in the Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020 and was also listed among People’s ‘sexiest men alive’. He ranked 15 among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century listed by the New York Times in 2020.
Famous Movies: Black Panther, That Awkward Moment, Just Mercy, Fruitvale Station.
13. Jamie Foxx
The American actor Jamie Foxx was born on 13th December 1967 in Texas. The 54 years old actor, comedian, and singer gained recognition for playing the role of Ray Charles in the film Ra. The film made him achieve numerous awards including Academy Awards, BAFTA awards, Screen Actors Guild awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globe Awards for the best actor in a leading role.
Famous Movies: Django Unchained, Ray, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Project Power, Robin Hood.
12. Danny Glover
Daniel Glover is another famous black actor who was born on 22nd July 1946 in California. This 75-year-old actor, film director, and political activist is very famous for his lead role as Roger in the lethal weapon film series. He has achieved the Independent Spirit Award for the best male lead, MTV Movie and TV award, and numerous Image awards.
Famous Movies: Lethal Weapon, Predator 2, Jumanji: The Next Level, The Color Purple, Beyond the Lights
11. Mekhi Phifer
This legendary American actor was born on 29 December 1974 in New York, United States. The actor portrayed Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC’s long-running medical drama. He was cast opposite Eminem in the 2002 feature film Eight Mile. Mekhi received nomination for the American Black Film Festival awards for the best performance by an actor. He has a career spanning over more than two decades and acted in more than 40 films. He won the 2004 celebrity poker showdown championship in the fourth season.
Famous Movies: High School High, A Lesson Before Dying, 8 Mile, Honey, Dawn of the Dead, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.
10. Don Cheadle
Donald Frank Cheadle junior is a popular American actor. He was born on 29th November 1964 in Missouri, United States. The 57 years old actor is the recipient of multiple accolades. His pride shelf includes 2 Grammy Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild awards. He has also been the nominee for an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards and 11 Prime Time Emmy Awards.
Famous Movies: Hotel Rwanda, Reign Over Me, Brooklyn’s Finest, Traffic, The Family Man, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and more
9. Eddie Murphy
Here is another very famous black actor in the American film industry, he was born on 3rd April 1961 in Brooklyn, New York. The 61 years old actor, comedian, writer, producer, and singer gained huge fame for the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. Moved the 10th place on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time. His first silver screen debut was in 1982 with the film 48 Hrs Which was very successful. The legendary actor was a nominee for the Golden Globe Awards.
Famous Movies: Beverly Hills Cop, The Haunted Mansion, Tower Heist, Coming to America.
8. Sidney Poitier
This Bahamian-American retired actor, film director and diplomat was born on 20th February 1927 in Florida. He was the first African American actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for best actor. He also became one of the last surviving big actors from Hollywood cinemas golden age after the death of Kirk Douglas. The activist achieved the record off AFI life achievement award. The world lost this legend on 6 January, 2022.
Famous Movies: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Duel at Diablo, In the Heat of the Night, A Warm December.
7. Chadwick Boseman
C. Aaron Bozeman was an American actor and play right. He was the first black actor appearing in and movie from Marvel Cinematic Universe. He had a very short life span for his career but still he was shining with his graceful skill throughout. Boasman received two Screen Actors Guild awards, a Golden Globe Award, a critics choice movie award, for MTV movie and TV awards and the nominations for an Academy Award. The legend was diagonised with colon cancer at the age of 40. We lost him on 2020 owing to his illness.
Famous Movies: 42, Marshall, 21 Bridges, The Express, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
6. Laurence Fishburne
L. John fishbourne 3 was born on 30th July 1961 in Georgia, United States. The 60 year old actor, producer, screenwriter and director has received numerous awards for his unique acting skills. His performance in ‘Two Trains Running’ got him a Tony Award for best featured actor in a play. He also got an Emmy Award for outstanding guest actor in a drama series. His character in the matrix trilogy is one of fans favourite.
Famous Movies: The Matrix, Man of Steel, Mystic River, Mission: Impossible 3, Ant-Man And The Wasp
5. Forest whitaker
The American actor, producer, director and activist was born on 15th July, 1961 in Texas. The 60 year old actor is the recipient of various honors including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy film award and two Screen Actors Guild awards. He is actively doing humanitarian work. UNESCO made him goodwill ambassador in 2011 and was later promoted to special envoy for peace and reconciliation.
Famous Movies: The Butler, Black Panther, The Last King of Scotland, Taken 3, Rogue One.
4. Will Smith
Willard Carol Smith is an American actor, rapper and producer who was born on 25th September, 1968 in Philadelphia. The 53 year old actor is our beloved star from Men in Black. His unique acting skills are a valuable asset to the worldwide film industry. On top of that, he has received numerous awards that include five Golden Globes awards and two Academy Award nominations and he’s also the recipient of four Grammy Awards.
Famous Movies: The Pursuit of Happyness, Aladdin, Gemini Man, Men in Black, I Am Legend, and more
3. Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson was born on 21st December, 1948 in Washington. He has garnered a huge fan following for his unique acting style and trendy catchphrases. His films have collectively grossed over $27 billion worldwide. He is the highest grossing actor of all time. The 72 year old actor has dominated the silver screen in over 150 films. However, He has appeared for the very popular movies like Jurassic Park, Die Hard With A Vengeance, Pulp Fiction and the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The Academy Honorary Award winner has also received NJC Film Critics Circle Award, American Cinematheque Award and a Bafta Award.
Famous Movies: Pulp Fiction, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Incredibles
2. Morgan Freeman
The veteran American actor and director was born on first June 1937 in Tennessee United States. The 84 years old actor, director and narrator is very unique for his distinctive deep voice. His 50 years long career in the film industry has delivered different unique characters in multiple genres. His honours includes Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, AFI Lifetime Achievement Award and many others.
His first acting debut was a class player when he was just nine years old. Morgan’s official acting debut was in 1968 with the Broadway play “Hello Dolly”. His appearance in the Shakespearean plays Julius Caesar got him the Obie award.
Famous Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Glory, Million Dollar Baby, Driving Miss Daisy, Gone Baby Gone
1.Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is a famous American actor who was born on 28 December, 1954 in New York. The 67 years old American actor, director and producer reconfigured the concept of classic movie stardom. He has acted in more than 50 films. He has been the recipient of numerous awards like Academy Awards for best actor. His other achievements includes Academy Awards for best supporting actor, Tony Awards, Golden Globe Awards and the most important Lifetime Achievement Award.
Denzel first appeared in the movie Carbon Copy released in 1981 that collected $9 million. He completed his graduation in drama and journalism from Fordham University in 1977. He appeared in the movies like Glory, Training day, The Hurricane, Remember The Titans, and Fences. We are expecting a couple of more movies from him this year. No doubt he’s placed on the top in this list of top 20 most famous black actors of all time.
Also Read: Top 20 Most Famous Persons in The World
