In the early days of Hollywood, black actors struggled to break into the industry. Those that did found themselves cast in racist or stereotypical roles. However, several black actors have changed Hollywood, profoundly impacting the industry, with these actors opening doors for others and continuing to kick ass and dominate the industry today.
It all started with Sidney Poiter becoming the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964. This led to black actors becoming leading men in action movies, mind-bending thrillers, heartbreaking dramas, and hilarious comedies. To celebrate these great actors, here are some of our favorites who are revered in the entertainment industry.
1. Denzel Washington
Few actors compare to the legendary Denzel Washington. He helped redefine the leading man as he rose to the top of Hollywood, becoming one of the highest-paid actors. After starting his career in theatre and off-broadway, Washington had everyone talking about his performance in the 1980s television series St. Elsewhere. He had his career breakthrough with his role in Glory, earning his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Washington became the man of the 90s with iconic roles in Malcolm X, Philadelphia, and The Hurricane. The American actor didn’t stop there and continues to dominate the industry. He made history in 2001, winning his second Oscar and first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Training Day.
Washington remains a household name with stellar performances in films such as Remember the Titans, American Gangster, and Flight. He also wrote, produced, and starred in the Oscar-nominated film Fences and is gearing up for The Equalizer 3.
2. Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx is a versatile actor who delivers hilarious comedic and stellar dramatic performances. Foxx began his career in the late 80s before landing his breakout role on the popular sketch comedy In Living Color. His success in the series led to him starring in The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001. At that point, Foxx switched his focus to film, receiving praise for his roles in Any Given Sunday, Miami Vice, Ali, and Django Unchained.
Foxx won the Academy Award for Best Actor portraying Ray Charles in the critically acclaimed bio-pic Ray. At the same event, Foxx also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Collateral. In addition to acting, Foxx is a successful R&B musician releasing several popular albums, Intuition, Best Night of My Life, and Hollywood: A Story of A Dozen Roses. He famously provided guest vocals on Kanye West’s hit single “Gold Digger.”
3. Will Smith
Will Smith is an icon and Hollywood legend. He began his career in the 80s as a member of DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. They released the chart-topping single “Parents Don’t Understand,” going on to win multiple Grammy Awards. While he would return to his music career and win more awards in the late 90s, Smith is better known for his acting career these days.
From 1990 to 1996, Smith starred in the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He soon became a top leading man with roles in the Bad Boys and Men In Black franchises. Smith received universal praise for his roles in Ali, The Pursuit of Happiness, and Concussion.
At the 94th Academy Awards, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard. Earlier that same night, Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock for comments about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, causing a social media meltdown.
4. Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is a rising star in Hollywood who has fast become a leading man. He first gained national attention as Wallace in the first season of the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire. Jordan went on to star in Fruitvale Station, Chronicle, Fantastic Four, and Just Mercy.
Jordan is best known for his role as Adonis Creed in the Creed movie series, which is a spin-off of the Rocky franchise. Jordan also reviewed high praise for his portrayal of the ruthless Killmonger in the beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Black Panther. Regarded as one of the sexiest men in Hollywood, Jordan has significant movie roles and Academy Awards in his future.
5. Samuel L. Jackson
Few actors compare with the iconic Samuel L. Jackson. He’s one of the most recognizable actors in the industry. Early in his career, he made headlines with minor roles in Do The Right Thing, Goodfellas, and Jurassic Park. Jackson exploded in popularity with his breakthrough role in Pulp Fiction. It also started his long working relationship with iconic director Quentin Tarantino.
He appears in several Tarantino films, including Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, Django Unchained, and The Hateful Eight. In addition to his critically acclaimed performances, Jackson appeared as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Jackson reprises his role as Nick Fury in the upcoming Disney+ series Secret Invasion.
6. Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy’s movies and comedy specials influenced generations of performers. Murphy started his stand-up comedy career in the late 70s, making a name for himself in comedy clubs across America. He attracted the attention of NBC executive Dick Ebersol who cast him on Saturday Night Live in the early 80s. Murphy initially had a minor role in the series, playing an extra in his first episode, before becoming a breakout star and a household name.
Murphy cemented his legacy as the first person to host SNL while still a cast member. He parlayed his TV fame into a lucrative film career with roles in 48 Hrs, Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop. Murphy also released two highly influential comedy specials, Delirious and Eddie Murphy Raw, during this period.
Murphy’s career declined for a several years before returning with The Nutty Professor. He continues to receive praise for various performances, including Dreamgirls, Dolemite is My Name, and Coming 2 America.
7. Morgan Freeman
In the 1970s, Morgan Freeman began his career in theatre and on the kid’s television series The Electric Company. In the 80s and 90s, Freeman rose to the top of the Hollywood tree, becoming a cultural icon. He delivered outstanding and memorable performances in Street Smart, Shawshank Redemption, and Lean on Me. Freeman received universal praise for his role in the 2004 film Million Dollar Baby, including winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Freeman’s career spans four decades, with more memorable roles coming in Unforgiven, Seven, and Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Freeman is known for his iconic voice, providing narration for numerous documentaries such as March of the Penguins, Through the Wormhole, Our Universe, and The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.
8. Cuba Gooding Jr.
There isn’t a person in the world who doesn’t know Cuba Gooding Jr. He’s one of the most famous Hollywood actors starring in classic romantic comedies and portraying history’s most notorious celebrity. Gooding had his big break in the classic John Singleton movie Boyz in the Hood.
In 1996, Gooding won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the classic romantic comedy Jerry Maguire. Gooding gained widespread fame, landing roles in Pearl Harbor, As Good As It Gets, and Selma. Gooding further elevated his career with his chilling portrayal of OJ Simpson in the critically and commercially acclaimed FX series American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson.
9. Chris Rock
Chris Rock started in the 80s, performing stand-up comedy in nightclubs before landing a minor role in Beverly Hills Cop II. In the early 90s, Rock had his big career break when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1990. Rock worked alongside comedy legends Chris Farley, David Spade, and Adam Sandler, more than holding his own.
In 1991, Rock received universal praise for a minor role in the crime-drama New Jack City. In the mid to late 90s, Rock had cemented his legacy with the release of critically acclaimed HBO comedy specials Bring The Pain, Bigger & Blacker, and Never Scared.
Rock elevated his career to the next level by creating and starring in The Chris Rock Show from 1997 to 2000. Rock is now a certified Hollywood legend starring in fan favorites such as The Longest Yard, Top Five, and Spiral. He also created and narrated the immensely popular Everybody Hates Chris airing from 2005 to 2009. In 2023, he released the stand-up special Selective Outrage on Netflix.
10. Martin Lawrence
Iconic comedian Martin Lawrence started his career performing stand-up and gained national fame on Star Search. That led to Lawrence landing small but impactful roles in Do The Right Thing, House Party, and Boomerang. From 1992 to 1997, Lawrence gained widespread fame for his hit Fox series Martin.
As Martin’s ratings took off, Lawrence began receiving major movie offers. He co-starred with Will Smith in the hugely popular Bad Boys in 1995. Lawrence reprised his role in the two sequels, Bad Boys II and Bad Boys For Life. Although he struggled with his personal life for several years, Lawrence made a stunning comeback in the mid-00s. Lawrence starred in a long list of classic movies, such as Nothing to Lose, Blue Streak, and the Big Momma’s House franchise, and is much loved by movie and comedy fans.
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11. Don Cheadle
In the late 80s, Don Cheadle debuted in the Vietnam war film Hamburger Hill. Although an inconspicuous start, throughout the 90s, Cheadle built a solid career with roles in movies such as Devil in a Blue Dress, Boogie Nights, and Out of Sight. Cheadle drew universal praise for portraying Paul Rusesabagina in the critically acclaimed 2004 true story Hotel Rwanda. Cheadle also had a successful television career appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ER, and The Bernie Mac Show.
Cheadle became a leading man in the 00s, starring in House of Lies and Black Monday. He maintains a high-profile movie career with roles well-received roles in Traffic, Crash, and the Ocean’s trilogy. Cheadle is probably best known these days for his role as James Rhodes/War Machine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cheadle is reprising his Marvel role for the upcoming Disney+ series Armor Wars.
12. James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is a Hollywood legend with an iconic voice and a decades-long career. He first gained attention in theatre and on Broadway. He started his film career off by appearing in Stanley Kubrick’s classic film Dr. Strangelove.
Jones took on his most famous role in 1977, voicing the ruthless Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope. Jones voiced Vader in several sequels and limited series. He also voiced Mufasa in the beloved Lion King.
Jones’s long career includes outstanding performances in The Great White Hope, Field of Dreams, and The Hunt for The Red October. He remains a national treasure and one of the most iconic black actors in Hollywood history.
13. Idris Elba
The multi-talented Idris Elba can do it all, from portraying a ruthless drug kingpin and a law-breaking detective to tearing up the dance floor with his DJ skills. The English actor had his first break in 2002 as Stringer Bell on the critically acclaimed series The Wire. Elba’s career really took off after landing the role of DCI John Luther in the popular series Luther.
Elba’s also one of the highest-grossing actors today, appearing in Marvel’s Thor and the DC Extended Universe’s Suicide Squad. He provided his voice for characters in The Jungle Book, Finding Dory, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Additionally, Elba has a successful music career, dropping several popular singles, notably “Boasty.” He’s also rumored to be the next James Bond.
14. John David Washington
The son of Denzel Washington, John David Washington is quickly rising to the top of Hollywood. He was a standout football player in college and even signed with the St. Louis Rams. But he ditched football for acting, deciding to follow in his famous father’s footsteps instead. He first gained attention for his role in the HBO series Ballers along with Dwayne Johnson.
He elevated his career with his critically acclaimed performance in Spike Lee’s The BlackkKlansman. His outstanding performance led to a starring role in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. Washington is one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars.
15. Danny Glover
Most actors dream of having a career like Danny Glover. After a successful theatre career, Glover rose to movie stardom as Sgt. Roger Murtaugh in the beloved Lethal Weapon franchise alongside Mel Gibson. The first film in the series hit theatres in 1987, turning Glover and Gibson into the biggest stars of the 80s.
They reprised their roles in three more sequels, with Glover cementing his legacy with roles in The Color Purple, Predator 2, To Sleep With Anger, and Witness. Glover remains an active actor, becoming a Hollywood legend with recent roles in Dreamgirls, Saw, and Jumanji: The Next Level.
16. Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is one of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers and actors today. He has an impressive resume as an actor with roles in Star Trek, Gone Girl, and Don’t Look Up. Perry is best known for creating the character of the sassy old lady Madea. Perry has performed as Madea in several stage plays and films, including Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion.
From 2006 to 2012, Perry created and starred in the popular sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, reviving the series for one last hurrah in 2020. Perry is also responsible for the dramatic series The Haves and Have Nots which arrived in 2012. The series ran for eight seasons on The Oprah Winfrey Network after Perry’s production company struck a lucrative deal with Oprah Winfrey.
17. Laurence Fishburne
When it comes to famous black actors, they don’t get much more well-known than Laurence Fishburne. First gaining rave reviews early in his career during the 1970s, he went on to land a role in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic war film Apocalypse Now. This brought him to the attention of a new audience, with Fishburn steadily building a solid filmography in the 80s with roles in The Color Purple, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, and Spike Lee’s School Daze.
Fishburne gained universal praise for his critically acclaimed performance in John Singleton’s classic Boyz in the Hood. He impressed audiences in 1993 with his portrayal of Ike Turner in the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It. That led to Fishburne’s most iconic role as Morpheus in the critically acclaimed The Matrix in 1999. He reprised his role in the subsequent sequels and has also starred in several popular TV series, notably CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Hannibal.
18. Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes became a leading man in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies throughout the 90s. Snipes had his first career break in 1989 starring in the popular screwball comedy Major League. He furthered his career with roles in Jungle Fever and King of New York. Snipes elevated his career with his chilling performance as ruthless gangster Nino Brown in gangster classic New Jack City. From that point forward, Snipes became one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors.
He received widespread praise for his roles in White Men Can’t Jump, Passenger 57, and Demolition Man. He became an action star and was in one of the first big comic book movies, taking 0n the character of Blade in the massively popular Blade trilogy.
At the peak of his fame, the government convicted Snipes of tax fraud and sentenced him to three years in prison. After his release in 2013, Snipes returned to acting with roles in The Expendables 3, Coming 2 America, and The Player.
19. Terrence Howard
In the mid-90s, Terrence Howard exploded onto the scene and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors. He first gained national fame in the cult classic Dead Presidents, followed by a memorable turn in Mr. Holland’s Opus. Howard continued to land steady work in Hollywood until his breakthrough performance in Hustle & Flow, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
His career really took off with the Chicago actor portraying James Rhodes in Iron Man before he was dumped after issues revolving around money, with Don Cheadle taking over from him. Howard then found success as Lucious Lyon in the FOX series Empire. In 2019, Howard announced his retirement from acting but returned in 2021 to star in Beneath. However, Howard again retired from acting in December 2022.
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