List of African American Actresses | Top Black actresses in Hollywood

Celebrating the Impact of Black Actresses in Hollywood

Hollywood’s tapestry wouldn’t be as vibrant without the contributions of Black actresses. Their talent, resilience, and dedication have not only propelled them to the forefront of the industry but also broken down barriers, redefined narratives, and inspired generations. This article delves into the diverse and dynamic world of these remarkable artists, celebrating their achievements and exploring the undeniable impact they continue to have on the entertainment landscape.

List of Top African American Actresses

Viola Davis

Viola Davis, born in St. Matthews, South Carolina, has roots in the Gullah culture of the Lowcountry. With her powerful performances, she became the first African American actress to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting (an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony). Her notable movies include “The Help,” “Fences,” and “Widows.”

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong’o, born in Mexico City to Kenyan parents, hails from the Luo ethnic group. She rose to fame with her captivating portrayal in “12 Years a Slave,” winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Nyong’o’s other notable films include “Black Panther” and “Us.”

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett, born in New York City, has West African roots, particularly from the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria. Known for her powerful and regal presence, she has starred in iconic films like “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Waiting to Exhale,” and “Black Panther.”

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson, born and raised in Washington, D.C., gained acclaim for her roles in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Hidden Figures,” and the TV series “Empire.”

Zoë Kravitz

Born in Los Angeles, California, Zoë Kravitz is of mixed heritage of African American, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Bahamian ancestry. She gained recognition for her roles in films such as “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Divergent,” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” In addition to her acting career, Zoë is a singer and model, contributing to her family’s legacy in the entertainment industry.

Zendaya

Zendaya, born in Oakland, California, rose to fame with her roles in the Disney Channel series “Shake It Up” and later starred in blockbuster films like “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Euphoria.”

Regina King

Born in Los Angeles, California, Regina King has earned acclaim for her performances in films such as “Ray,” “Jerry Maguire,” and her directorial debut, “One Night in Miami.”

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington is widely recognized for her portrayal of Olivia Pope in the ABC series “Scandal” (2012–2018). She received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for this role. Washington’s film credits include notable performances in “Ray” (2004), “The Last King of Scotland” (2006), and Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” (2012). Her roles in HBO’s “Confirmation” (2016) and Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” (2020) earned Emmy nominations. Additionally, she has starred in independent films such as “Our Song” (2000) and “American Son” (2019).

Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer, hailing from Montgomery, Alabama, gained widespread recognition for her roles in “The Help,” “Hidden Figures,” and “The Shape of Water,” for which she won an Oscar.

Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union, born in Omaha, Nebraska, has starred in films such as “Bring It On,” “Bad Boys II,” and “Being Mary Jane.”

Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton, born in London to Zimbabwean and English parents, gained acclaim for her roles in “Crash,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and the TV series “Westworld.”

Naomie Harris
Naomie Harris, born in London to Jamaican parents, is known for her roles in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, “Skyfall,” and “Moonlight,” for which she received an Oscar nomination.

Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson, born in Los Angeles, California, is known for her roles in “Creed,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Sorry to Bother You.”

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana, born in Passaic, New Jersey, of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, is known for her roles in “Avatar,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Star Trek.”

Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross, born in Los Angeles, California, is acclaimed for her role in the TV series “Black-ish” and has appeared in films such as “Girlfriends” and “The High Note.”

The Legendary Actresses

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is a legendary African American actress and has garnered numerous awards, notably including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her captivating performance in “Ghost” (1990). Some of her other top movies include “The Color Purple” (1985), where she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, “Sister Act” (1992) and its sequel “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” (1993), and “The Lion King” (1994), where she provided the voice for the beloved character Shenzi.

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge shattered barriers as a singer, dancer, and actress. Despite facing discrimination, she captivated audiences with her talent and beauty. Dandridge became the first Black woman nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for “Carmen Jones” and paved the way for future generations. Some of her top films include Carmen Jones (1954), Porgy and Bess (1959), Bright Road (1953), Island in the Sun (1957), and The Decks Ran Red (1958).

Halle Berry

Halle Berry, born in Cleveland, Ohio, made history as the first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Monster’s Ball.” Notable films include “X-Men” and “Swordfish.”

Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson is a three-time Emmy winner and Academy Award honoree, known for her powerful portrayals in “Sounder” and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.”

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard is a highly respected African American actress and has earned multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and several nominations for prestigious honors. Some of her notable movies include “Cross Creek” (1983), “Passion Fish” (1992), and “12 Years a Slave” (2013). In addition to her work in film, Woodard has also been involved in impactful television projects such as “St. Elsewhere,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “Luke Cage.”

Pam Grier

Pam Grier is a pioneering African American actress known for her significant contributions to the film industry, particularly in the 1970s. She became an iconic figure in the genre of “blaxploitation” films, where she often portrayed strong, empowered female characters. Some of Pam Grier’s notable films from that era include “Coffy” (1973), “Foxy Brown” (1974), and “Sheba, Baby” (1975). Later in her career, she gained renewed recognition with Quentin Tarantino’s film “Jackie Brown” (1997), for which she received critical acclaim.

The Rising Stars

Issa Rae
Issa Rae, born in Los Angeles, California, gained acclaim for her work in creating and starring in the TV series “Insecure” and starred in films like “The Hate U Give” and “Little.” Her wit, relatable characters, and commitment to diverse storytelling inspire generations.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Bringing laughter and style to the screen, Ross rose to fame with “Girlfriends” and continues to shine in “black-ish.” Her comedic timing and undeniable charm make her a force to be reckoned with.

Cynthia Erivo

With a powerful voice and captivating presence, Erivo earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman. From “Widow” to “The Outsider,” she brings depth and complexity to each role.

Danai Gurira

Embodies strength and resilience as Nakia in “Black Panther” and General Danai in “Americanah,” demonstrating talent in acting, playwriting, and activism.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe, originally from Kansas City, Kansas, is a multifaceted artist known for her roles in “Hidden Figures,” “Moonlight,” and “Harriet.”

Aja Naomi King
Aja Naomi King, born in Los Angeles, California, gained recognition for her role in the TV series “How to Get Away with Murder” and starred in films like “The Birth of a Nation” and “The Upside.”

Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer, born in Harvey, Illinois, gained fame as a child actress and starred in films such as “Akeelah and the Bee,” “Hustlers,” and the TV series “Scream Queens.”