Top 20 African-American Actors
32 items ranked
The greatest African-American actors of the 20th and 21st centuries!
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1.
Denzel Washington
A highly critically acclaimed actor especially well known for his portrayals of historical figures, including Malcom X, Rubin Carter, and Frank Lucas. He received an Academy Award for his role in Training Day and holds the record for the most nominations for a person of African descent.
503 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 2 comments
Comments:
You must mention that Denzel has 2 Oscars, that's historic. (Glory)
Added 11 years ago by guest, 3 points
You omitted some great actors. Paul Winfield one of the greatest black acors of all time., Mos Def (Something the Lord Made), and the often overlooked Andre Brauer,
Added 11 years ago by MissBunny, -3 points
2.
Sidney Poitier
The man who broke the acting racial barrier by being the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lillies of the Field. This achievement paved the way for everyone else on this list to become famous. He is considered one of the greatest male stars of all time, according to the American Film Institute.
475 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 2 comments
Comments:
Sidney Poitier is not African American. His parents are from the Bahamas and his ancestry is most likey Haitian before that.
Added 6 years ago by guest, 0 points
Lillies of the Field
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
To Sir, With Love
A Raisin in the Sun
In the Heat of the Night
Few other actors have elevated so many movies from food to great.
Added 8 years ago by guest, -3 points
3.
James Earl Jones
The man who lent his voice to one of the greatest villains in movie history, Darth Vader, as well as Mufasa in the Lion King. His deep basso voice is instantly recognizable to all.
327 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
4.
Morgan Freeman
An actor with a superbly authoritative speaking voice well-suited for narration, a talent which he put to use in March of the Penguins. He has received many Academy Award nominations, including one for his role in the Shawshank Redemption, and finally received an actual award for his role in Million Dollar Baby. Also well known for his roles in the new Batman movie series and as God in Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty.
320 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
5.
Don Cheadle
261 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
6.
Samuel L. Jackson
256 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
7.
Lawrence Fishburne
237 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
8.
Forest Whitaker
234 points - added 15 years ago by guest -
9.
Ruby Dee
187 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 1 comment
Comments:
Ruby Dee is a female! Why is she on the list?
Added 7 years ago by Zachsdad, 2 points
10.
Bill Cosby
177 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 2 comments
Comments:
Point taken
Accused not the same thing as guilty---that's law
It's not as if he didn't do something....
Did Jackson did it? Do you know...?
Added 6 years ago by guest, 2 points
You should take this man of the list. He was a funny actor, no doubt, but his actions in the past years have, for a lot of people, contaminated his portrail of family-man Dr. Cosby. Bill Cosby is horrible a man who has sexually assaulted women and I really hope that you will take this to mind.
Added 7 years ago by guest, 7 points
11.
Terrence Howard
175 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
12.
Eddie Murphy
156 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
13.
Lena Horne
131 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
14.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
130 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
15.
Richard Pryor
127 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
16.
Ossie Davis
126 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
17.
Hattie McDaniel
108 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
18.
Will Smith
107 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 2 comments
Comments:
not an oscar winner type of actor
Added 8 years ago by guest, 1 point
honestly though he's hot
Added 11 years ago by guest, 0 points
19.
Mike Epps
97 points - added 15 years ago by guest -
20.
Harry Belafonte
82 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
21.
Halle Berry
The femme fatale of African American actresses, well known for her roles as Storm in the X-Men movies and her award-winning performance as Leticia Musgrove in Monster's Ball.
69 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
22.
Danny Glover
66 points - added 15 years ago by guest -
23.
Ving Rhames
40 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
24.
Avery Brooks
40 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
25.
Louis Gossett, Jr.
23 points - added 12 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
LOUIS GOSSETT,JR SHOULD BE IN THE TOP 5.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 3 points
26.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
19 points - added 9 years ago by guest -
27.
Bernie Mac
Sadly no longer with us
18 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
28.
Mos Def
14 points - added 9 years ago by guest -
29.
Angela Basset
13 points - added 9 years ago by guest -
30.
Lupita Nyong'o
10 points - added 9 years ago by guest -
31.
Paul rRobeson
10 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 2 comments
Comments:
For "earth too dear"
Added 6 years ago by guest, 1 point
*Robeson
Added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11, -1 points
32.
Isaiah Washington
2 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
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