The Greatest Black Actors In Film History
From any era and genre, these are the greatest Black actors in film history, ranked by the community to determine who is the best of all time. These Black actors are the top in the business, and many are also among the best living actors today. From those who have portrayed classic Black characters in film, to award-winning actors, only the most deserving actors are on this list.
Who are the greatest Black actors in film? How about the most famous Black actors? From Oscar winners like Denzel Washington, classic African American actors like Sidney Poitier, and newer names such as English actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, each of the Black actors on this list has earned his place with an excellent body of work and memorable performances. Some Black comedians and rappers are also on this list, having found success in the world of film as well.
The 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.Â
Scroll the list below, and vote up the Black actors that you think are best!
Won for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Million Dollar Baby (2005)
Won for Best Actor Golden Globe for Driving Miss Daisy (1990)
Winner of the Cecil B. DeMille Award (2012)Won for Best Actor Oscar for Glory (1990) and Training Day (2002)
Won for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for Glory (1990) and Best Actor Golden Globe for The Hurricane (2000)
Winner of the Cecil B. DeMille Award (2016)Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Pulp Fiction (1995)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for Pulp Fiction (1995) and A Time to Kill (1997), and Best Actor Golden Globe for Jackie Brown (1998)Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2021)
Won for Best Actor Golden Globe for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2021)Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for The Great White Hope (1971)
Nominated for Best Actor Golden Globe for The Great White Hope (1971) and Claudine (1975)
Winner of Most Promising Newcomer for The Great White Hope (1971)Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for Beasts of No Nation (2016) and Best Actor Golden Globe for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2014)
Won for Best Actor Oscar for Lilies of the Field (1964)
Won for Best Actor Golden Globe for Lilies of the Field (1964)
Winner of the Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite (1969) and the Cecil B. DeMille Award (1982)Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for What’s Love Got to Do with It (1994)
Nominated for Best Actor Golden Globe for The Tuskegee Airmen (1996)Won for Best Actor Oscar for King Richard (2022)
Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for Ali (2002) and The Pursuit of Happyness (2007)
Nominated for Best Actor Golden Globe for Ali (2002), The Pursuit of Happyness (2007), and Concussion (2016)Won for Best Actor Oscar for The Last King of Scotland (2007)
Won for Best Actor Golden Globe for The Last King of Scotland (2007)Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Dreamgirls (2007)
Won for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for Dreamgirls (2007)Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for Hotel Rwanda (2005)
Nominated for Best Actor Golden Globe for Hotel Rwanda (2005)Won for Best Actor Oscar for Ray (2005)
Won for Best Actor Golden Globe for Ray (2005)Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Green Mile (2000)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for The Green Mile (2000)Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for 12 Years a Slave (2014)
Nominated for Best Actor Golden Globe for Kinky Boots (2007) and 12 Years a Slave (2014)Won for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Jerry Maguire (1997)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for Jerry Maguire (1997)- 20
Nominated for Best Actor Oscar for Hustle & Flow (2006)
Nominated for Best Actor Golden Globe for Hustle & Flow (2006)
