The Best African American Film Actors
From any era and genre, these are the greatest African American actors in film history, ranked by the community to determine who is the best African American actor of all time. These top Black actors are the best of the best and many are also among the best living actors today. From those who have portrayed classic Black characters, to award winning actors, only the best African American male actors are on this list. (Click here to vote on the best Black actresses.)
Who are the greatest African American actors in film? Including Oscar winners, like Denzel Washington, classic actors, like Sidney Poitier, and movie stars, like Will Smith, each of the famous Black actors on this list has earned his place with an excellent body of work and memorable performances. Some African American comedians and rappers are also on this list, having found success in a movie, or two.Â
From young to old, the popular Black male actors that are featured on this list include some of the best actors of all time including, Morgan Freeman, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Ossie Davis, Forest Whitaker, Danny Glover, and Eddie Murphy. Of course, you'll also find young Black actors who've recently risen to the top, like John David Washington, Chadwick Boseman, LaKeith Stanfield, and Donald Glover. Is the African American actor you think is best not on the list? Add him to make a truly comprehensive list to determine the best African American leading Hollywood men.
- Antwone Fisher, Book of Eli, American Gangster
- Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, USA
- Pulp Fiction, The Avengers, Django Unchained
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA
- Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Million Dollar Baby
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- 442, The Express, Get on Up
- Birthplace: Anderson, South Carolina
- The Matrix, Man of Steel, Boyz in the Hood
- Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- The Butler, The Last King of Scotland, The Last Stand
- Birthplace: Longview, Texas, United States of America
- After Earth, I Am Legend, Independence Day
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Lion King, Return of the Jedi, Field of Dreams
- Birthplace: Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA
- Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Norbit
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Crash, Hotel Rwanda, Iron Man 3
- Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Django Unchained, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Ray
- Birthplace: Terrell, Texas, United States of America
- That Awkward Moment, Fruitvale Station, Hardball
- Birthplace: Santa Ana, California, USA
- Lethal Weapon, The Color Purple, Shooter
- Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA
- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night, Lilies of the Field
- Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States of America
- 15The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Place Beyond the Pines, Predators
- Birthplace: Oakland, California, USA
- Do the Right Thing, Bad Boys, Bad Boys II
- Birthplace: Frankfurt-am-Main, Hessen, Germany
- Planet of the Apes, Daredevil, The Green Mile
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- What Dreams May Come, Jerry Maguire, Boyz in the Hood
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
- Pulp Fiction, Dawn of the Dead, Mission: Impossible
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Million Dollar Baby, The Hurt Locker
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- Blade, White Men Can't Jump, Demolition Man
- Birthplace: Orlando, Florida, USA
- The Princess and the Frog, The Thing, Pitch Black
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Harlem
- Iron Man, The Best Man, Hustle and Flow
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- An Officer and a Gentleman, Iron Eagle, Roots
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
- Boyz n the Hood, Kick-Ass 2, Identity Thief
- Birthplace: Cerritos, California, USA