Famous African American Actors - List of Famous African American Actors

Hollywood has produced many actors, some of whom are considered institutions in acting. Although the movie industry predominantly consisted of fair-skinned actors in the past, the recent years have seen the rise of many actors of African American descent. Many of these talented individuals have won the prestigious Golden Globe and Academy Awards for their impeccable performances. Morgan Freeman, Will Smith, Samuel L Jackson, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington and Jamie Fox are a few actors whom the world really adores. Samuel L Jackson’s portrayal of the character Jules, in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic ‘Pulp Fiction’, was a treat to movie lovers and critics alike. Since then, the acclaimed actor has essayed memorable roles in several Hollywood blockbusters. Many movie buffs claim that Morgan Freeman’s epic voiceovers in the 1994 classic ‘Shawshank Redemption’ is an important reason why it is one of the world’s most loved films. Be it the role of a struggling father in ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ or an arrogant superhero in ‘Hancock’, Hollywood star Will Smith has proved that he can play just any character effortlessly. Many movie gurus are of the opinion that aspiring actors should watch the works of these actors to get better at their craft. If you aren’t aware of other eminent African American actors, you should probably scroll the list to know the names of the people who have made their community proud. It’s time we watch their films and appreciate their talent.

Samuel L Jackson, Will Smith and Morgan Freeman are a few notable African American actors

The Most Famous African American Actors

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Shemar MooreApril 20, 1970AmericanShemar Moore is a model turned actor best known for his role in the television series ‘The Young and the Restless’
Morgan FreemanJune 1, 1937AmericanMorgan Freeman is an Academy Award winning actor known for his work in movies like ‘Street Smart’, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’
Flip WilsonDecember 8, 1933AmericanFlip Wilson was an American comedian and actor
Sidney PoitierFebruary 20, 1927AmericanSidney Poitier is an actor, director and diplomat who was the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor
Bernie MacOctober 5, 1957AmericanBernie Mac was an American comedian, actor and voiceover artist, famous for his television show ‘The Bernie Mac Show’
Orlando BrownDecember 4, 1987AmericanOrlando Brown is an African-American actor, rapper, voice actor, and singer
Ice CubeJune 15, 1969AmericanIce Cube is an American hip hop artist, actor and record producer
Tyler PerrySeptember 13, 1969AmericanTyler Perry is a famous American actor, author, producer and songwriter
Spike LeeMarch 20, 1957AmericanSpike Lee is an Emmy Award winning film director and actor known for his films that deal with controversial subjects like racism and politics
Dwayne JohnsonMay 2, 1972AmericanDwayne Johnson is a professional wrestler turned actor known for his appearance in ‘The Mummy Returns’
Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway was a jazz singer and bandleader

AmericanDecember 25, 1907328 views

Brandy Norwood

Brandy Norwood is an American R&B singer-songwriter, actress and record producer

AmericanFebruary 11, 1979234 views

Paul Winfield

Paul Winfield was an American actor who was well known for the quality roles he portrayed in theatre, television and films

AmericanMay 22, 1939126 views

Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson is an American actor best known for appearing in his self-written, produced and starred sitcom, ‘All About the Andersons’

AmericanAugust 15, 1970146 views

Gregory Hines

Gregory Hines was an American dancer and actor who appeared in movies like ‘The Cotton Club’ and ‘White Nights.’ This biography of Gregory Hines provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

AmericanFebruary 14, 1946250 views

Ice-T

Ice-T is an American rapper and actor

AmericanFebruary 16, 1958207 views

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is an actor, martial artist and film producer known for his performance in numerous action movies

AmericanJuly 31, 1962280 views

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore is a model turned actor best known for his role in the television series ‘The Young and the Restless’

AmericanApril 20, 19708,325 views

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was a famous African-American singer, actor, and civil rights activist

AmericanApril 9, 1898137 views