15 of the Best Black Male Actors in American Film
The African American experience in Hollywood has been a long and winding journey, from the early days of Hattie McDaniel winning an Oscar in 1939 to many recently recognized Black actors such as Chadwick Boseman, Mahershala Ali and Michael B. Jordan.
All these actors are undeniably talented and deserve the recognition they have earned, both in entertainment and in their off-screen lives.
But what does it really mean to be a Black actor in the entertainment industry? It can often mean having to fight for roles that are written with racial stereotypes or lack substance entirely – something Mahershala Ali spoke out about when he won his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Moonlight — which makes the people behind such roles even more amazing.
With all of this in mind, today we are going to highlight some of the most successful and famous black male actors in the world of Hollywood and entertainment.
15 Black Male Actors that Are Loved Around the World
We want to recognize some of the best Black male actors that are leading the charge in making Hollywood more inclusive. From veteran actors who have been in the industry for decades, to newer faces that are quickly ascending to stardom,.
Here is our list of some of the greatest African American actors in show business.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is one of the most highly acclaimed and commercially successful actors in Hollywood. Denzel has starred in some of the biggest films to date, including Training Day, Philadelphia, Malcolm X and The Pelican Brief.
He has earned two Academy Awards for Best Actor, which makes him one of only a few actors who have achieved this feat. Besides his acting ability, Denzel is known for his powerful presence and incredible energy.
He’s also a director, producer and philanthropist who has used his platform to speak out on important social issues.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most well-known and beloved actors in Hollywood. His filmography includes iconic roles in Pulp Fiction, The Avengers and Star Wars. Jackson is known for his incredible screen presence and signature catchphrases that have become cultural staples.
He has been honored with numerous awards and accolades including a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors. He has starred in some of the most iconic films, like Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Bruce Almighty.
Freeman’s performances have earned him numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
His distinctive voice and effortless delivery have made him one of Hollywood’s favorite actors.
Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman was an inspiring actor who rose to fame with his roles as King T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in Get On Up. Boseman was known for his commitment to the craft and ability to embody characters from various backgrounds on screen.
He became the first Black man to win posthumously the Academy Award for Best Actor, making him an instant legend in Hollywood.
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne is a veteran actor who has starred in some of the most iconic films of all time. He is best known for his roles as Morpheus from The Matrix franchise, Furious Styles from Boyz N The Hood and Dr. Ray Langston from CSI.
Fishburne has earned numerous awards including Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and two Tony nominations for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. He was also inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2007.
Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker is an accomplished actor with decades of experience in Hollywood. He has starred in acclaimed films such as The Last King of Scotland, Platoon and Bird.
Whitaker has won numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
He is also a director and producer who has used his platform to bring attention to important social issues.
Will Smith
Will Smith is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood today. Smith has starred in some of the most successful films like Men In Black, I Am Legend and Hancock.
His ability to charm audiences with witty dialogue, intense emotional performances and his signature catchphrases have made him beloved around the world.
He has won two Grammy Awards as well as numerous other accolades including four Golden Globe nominations and five Academy Award nominations.
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is a legendary actor who has been in Hollywood for over five decades. He famously voiced Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and his performances have earned him numerous accolades including an Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award and two Tony Awards.
In addition to his acting career, Jones has also lent his iconic voice to many animated films as well as other works of literature.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood. His filmography includes blockbusters like Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor.
Murphy’s comedy style has made him a fan favorite around the world and he has won numerous awards including Golden Globe Awards, People’s Choice Awards and Kids’ Choice Awards.
He was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild.
Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle is a versatile actor with decades of experience in Hollywood. He has starred in a variety of films such as Ocean’s Eleven, Hotel Rwanda and Crash. Cheadle has won numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Golden Globe Awards and Emmy Awards.
He is also an activist who uses his platform to bring attention to important social issues.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx is one of the most acclaimed actors in Hollywood today. His filmography includes critically acclaimed films like Ray, Any Given Sunday and Django Unchained. Foxx’s performances have earned him numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor and two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance.
He is an avid philanthropist and founding member of the Artists for a New South Africa organization.
Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood today. He has starred in blockbusters like Black Panther, Creed and Fruitvale Station. His performances have earned him numerous awards including two NAACP Image Awards, Golden Globe Award nominations and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In addition to his acting career, he is also a producer who works on projects that are important to him and his community.
Danny Glover
Danny Glover is an acclaimed actor with decades of experience in Hollywood. He has appeared in classic films like Lethal Weapon, The Color Purple and Angels in the Outfield.
Glover’s performances have earned him numerous accolades including Academy Award nominations, multiple Golden Globe nominations and a Satellite Award.
He is also an activist who uses his platform to bring attention to important social issues.
Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier is one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history. His films include classic films such as To Sir With Love, In The Heat of The Night and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.
Poitier has won numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor, two Golden Globe Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2007.
Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence is one of the funniest actors in Hollywood today. His filmography includes blockbusters like Bad Boys, Big Momma’s House and Life.
Lawrence’s performances have earned him numerous awards including two NAACP Image Awards, a Golden Globe Award nomination and Kids’ Choice Awards.
He is also an avid philanthropist who uses his platform to bring attention to important social issues.
The Greatest African American Actors of All Time
African Americans have been underrepresented in the film and television industry, historically facing unfair discrimination and limited opportunities. However, over the years there has been some progress in closing this gap as more and more African American actors come to the forefront of Hollywood.
For more interesting articles like this one, be sure to check out our lists on the richest black billionaires in the world, and some of the most beautiful black women in film and entertainment.