List of African-American actors

Born in the 2010s

• Janice LeAnn Brown,actress
• Blue Ivy Carter, voice actress and singer
• Ravi Cabot-Conyers, actor
• Celestina Harris,actress
• Melody Hurd, actress, dancer, and model
• Jaidyn Triplett, actress and singer
• North West (musician) , voice actress, rapper and singer
• Keivonn Woodard,actor

Born in the 2000s

• Micah Abbey, actor (Ghanaian father)
• Halle Bailey, actress and singer
• Bailey Bass, actress (African-American father)
• Iman Benson, actress
• Asante Blackk , actor
• Marissa Bode, actress (African-American mother)
• Miles Brown, actor
• Shamon Brown Jr., actor
• Seth Carr, actor
• Lonnie Chavis, actor
• Chloe Coleman, actress (African-American father)
• Kyliegh Curran, actress
• Jonathan Daviss, actor
• Priah Ferguson, actress
• Demetrius Flenory Jr., actor
• Benjamin Flores Jr., actor and rapper
• Jalyn Hall, actor
• Caleel Harris, actor
• Alex R. Hibbert, actor
• Arica Himmel, actress
• Skai Jackson, actress
• Chosen Jacobs, actor and singer
• Chandler Kinney, actress
• Leah Sava Jeffries, actress
• Calah Lane, actress
• Adrian Lyles, actor and musician
• Marsai Martin, actress
• JD McCrary, actor and singer
• Caleb McLaughlin, actor
• Jaden Michael, actor
• Maleah Joi Moon, actress
• Michael Rainey Jr., actor
• Dara Reneé, actress
• Storm Reid, actress
• Ruth Righi, actress
• Marcus Scribner, actor
• Sayeed Shahidi, actor
• Yara Shahidi, actress and Harvard graduate (African-American mother)
• Savannah Lee Smith, actress
• Willow Smith, actress
• Trinitee Stokes, actress
• Daniella Taylor, actress (African-American father)
• Myles Truitt, actor
• Lexi Underwood, actress
• Quvenzhané Wallis, actress
• Keith L. Williams, actor
• Jahi Di'Allo Winston, actor
• Shahadi Wright Joseph, actress
• Sofia Wylie, actress
• Dallas Dupree Young, actor

Born in the 1990s

• Jordan Alexander, actress
• Ajiona Alexus, actress
• Chloe Bailey, actress and singer
• Madison Bailey, actress
• Jabari Banks, actor
• Jaylen Barron, actress (African-American father)
• Zazie Beetz, actress (African-American mother)
• Denée Benton, actress and singer
• Rhyon Nicole Brown, actress
• Jasmin Savoy Brown, actress
• Jordan Calloway, actor
• Sierra Capri, actress
• Chance The Rapper, rapper
• Kiersey Clemons, actress (African-American father)
• Zendaya Coleman, actress (African-American father)
• Dexter Darden, actor
• Aisha Dee, actress (African-American father)
• Dee Dee Davis, actress
• Ariana DeBose, actress
• Teala Dunn, actress
• Ayo Edebiri, actress
• Reign Edwards, actress
• Jimmie Fails, actor
• Roshon Fegan, actor
• Dominique Fishback, actress
• Jordan Fisher, actor
• Rome Flynn, actor
• Tati Gabrielle, actress
• Antonia Gentry, actress
• Jacob Gibson, actor
• Raven Goodwin, actress
• Carlacia Grant, actress
• Brett Gray, actor
• Bryshere Gray, actor
• Imani Hakim, actress
• Kelvin Harrison Jr., actor
• Helena Howard, actress (African-American father)
• Paige Hurd, actress (African-American father)
• O'Shea Jackson Jr., actor and rapper
• Paris Jackson, actress (African-American father)
• Trevor Jackson, actor
• Carlon Jeffery, actor and rapper
• Sarah Jeffery, actress
• Nadji Jeter, actor
• Camrus Johnson, actor
• Coco Jones actress and singer
• Malcolm David Kelley, actor
• Jak Knight, actor, writer, and comedian
• Jacob Latimore, actor
• Jayme Lawson, actress
• Kiana Ledé, actress and singer (African-American father)
• Denny Love, actor
• Michael Luwoye, actor
• Christopher Massey, actor
• Kyle Massey, actor
• Miranda Rae Mayo, actress
• China Anne Mcclain, actress and singer
• Shane Paul McGhie, actor
• Parker McKenna Posey, actress
• Aeriel Miranda, actress
• Shameik Moore, actor and musician
• Laci Mosley actress and comedian
• Kiara Muhammad, actress
• Normani, singer
• Brittany O'Grady, actress (African-American mother)
• Keke Palmer, actress
• Serayah (actress) , actress
• Sydney Park, actress (African-American mother)
• Madison Pettis, actress (African-American father)
• Solea Pfeiffer, actress (African-American mother)
• Taylor Polidore, actress
• Nathaniel Potvin, actor
• Keith Powers, actor
• Trevante Rhodes, actor
• Tequan Richmond, actor
• Zeno Robinson, voice actor
• Lee Rodriguez, actress and singer
• Kara Royster, actress
• Kylee Russell, actress
• Alyah Chanelle Scott, actress
• Doc Shaw, actor
• Alexandra Shipp, actress (African-American father)
• Diggy Simmons, actor
• Lovie Simone, actress
• Jaz Sinclair, actress
• Paulina Singer, actress (African-American father)
• Algee Smith, actor
• Jaden Smith, actor and singer
• Lakeith Stanfield, actor
• Amandla Stenberg, actress (African-American mother)
• Coy Stewart, actor
• Joy Sunday, actress
• Chelsea Tavares, actress
• Leon Thomas III, actor
• Dominique Thorne, actress
• Tyler The Creator, actor
• Diamond White, actress and singer
• Tyler James Williams, actor
• Tyrel Jackson Williams, actor
• Arif Zahir, actor, musician and internet personality

Born in the 1980s

• Quinton Aaron, actor
• Lloyd Banks, actor
• Malcolm Barrett, actor
• Fantasia Barrino, actress and singer
• Jurnee Smollett-Bell, actress
• Beyoncé, actress and singer
• B.G., rapper
• Ser'Darius Blain, film and television actor
• Tiffany Boone, actress
• Steelo Brim, actor and comedian
• Danielle Brooks, actress
• Mehcad Brooks, actor
• Neil Brown Jr., actor
• Rob Brown, actor
• Logan Browning, actress
• Quinta Brunson, actress, producer, writer and comedian
• Hannibal Buress, actor and comedian
• Trai Byers, actor
• Nick Cannon, actor
• Chingy, rapper
• Tanya Chisholm, actress and dancer
• Monique Coleman, actress
• Emayatzy Corinealdi, (African-American mother)
• Yaya DaCosta, actress
• Charles Michael Davis, actor
• Daveed Diggs, actor
• Drake, actor
• Edwina Findley, actress
• Jennifer Freeman, actress
• Darrell Britt-Gibson, actor
• Donald Glover, actor
• Reagan Gomez-Preston, actress writer, and producer (African-American father)
• Meagan Good, actress
• Elena Goode, actress (African-American father)
• Kat Graham, actress and singer
• Shalita Grant, actress
• Sonequa Martin-Green, actress
• Lance Gross, actor (African-American mother)
• Demetrius Grosse, actor
• Ilfenesh Hadera, actress
• William Jackson Harper, actor and comedian
• Corey Hawkins, actor
• Brian Tyree Henry, actor
• Jillian Hervey, singer and dancer
• Marques Houston, actor
• Jennifer Hudson, actress
• Amber Iman, actress
• Brandon T. Jackson, actor
• Bryton James, actor
• Terrence Jenkins, actor
• Sam Jones III, actor
• Michael B. Jordan, actor
• Wiz Khalifa, actor
• Christel Khalil, actress (African-American mother)
• Aja Naomi King, actress
• Zoe Kravitz, actress and filmmaker
• Lil Scrappy, rapper
• Lauren London, actress (African-American mother)
• Peter Macon, actor
• Jonathan Majors, actor
• Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, actor
• Kelly McCreary, actress
• Jason Mitchell, actor
• Monica, actress
• Victoria Monét, R&B singer (African-American mother)
• Lamorne Morris, actor
• Aaron Moten, actor
• George McMichael Moyer, actor
• Ashleigh Murray, actress
• Naturi Naughton, actress
• Angel Parker, actress
• Teyonah Parris, actress
• Candice Patton, actress
• Jay Pharoah, actor
• Kyla Pratt, actress
• Issa Rae, actress (African-American mother)
• Emmy Raver-Lampman, actress
• Rihanna, singer
• Sam Richardson, actor and comedian
• Amber Riley, actress and singer
• Naya Rivera, actress, singer and model (d. 2020)
• Evan Ross, actor and musician (African-American mother)
• Kelly Rowland actress and singer
• Amanda Seales, actress (African-American father)
• Gabourey Sidibe, actress
• Brian Michael Smith, actor
• Jussie Smollett, actor
• Jordin Sparks, actress
• Tika Sumpter, actress
• Raven-Symoné, actress, singer and director
• Jessica Szohr, actress
• Tessa Thompson, actress
• Norman Towns, actor, comedian, and producer
• T.I., actor
• Tru Valentino, actor
• Amanda Warren, actress
• John David Washington, actor
• Damon Wayans Jr., actor and comedian
• Lil Wayne, actor
• Erinn Westbrook, actress
• Samira Wiley, actress
• Jessica Williams, actress
• Nafessa Williams, actress
• Lee Thompson Young, actor
• Young Buck, rapper

Born in the 1970s

• Aaliyah, singer, actress (d. 2001)
• Flex Alexander, actor
• Mahershala Ali, actor
• Anthony Anderson, actor
• Essence Atkins, actress
• Sharif Atkins, actor
• Rochelle Aytes, actress
• Tyra Banks, actress, model
• Lamont Bentley, actor (d. 2005)
• Ahmed Best, actor, comedian and musician
• Big Gipp, rapper
• Stephen Bishop, actor
• De'Aundre Bonds, actor
• Bone Crusher, Hip Hop rapper
• Chadwick Boseman, actor (d. 2020)
• Wayne Brady, actor, comedian
• Golden Brooks, actress
• Cocoa Brown, actress
• Sterling K. Brown, actor
• Yvette Nicole Brown, actress
• Joy Bryant, actress
• Busta Rhymes, actor
• Wyatt Cenac, (African-American mother)
• Dave Chappelle, actor and comedian
• Chi-Ali, rapper
• Deon Cole, actor
• Mike Colter, actor
• Common, actor
• Laverne Cox, transgender actress
• D-Nice, actor
• Merle Dandridge, actress (African-American father)
• Taye Diggs, actor
• DMX, actor, rapper (d. 2021)
• Snoop Dogg, actor
• Omar Dorsey, actor
• Ava DuVernay, film director
• Michael Ealy, actor
• Nelsan Ellis, actor (d. 2017)
• Mike Epps, comedian and actor
• Omar Epps, actor
• Fat Joe, actor
• Keith Ferguson, voice actor
• Jaimee Foxworth, actress
• Ghostface Killah, rapper
• Tyrese Gibson, actor
• Lawrence Gilliard Jr., actor
• Omar Gooding, actor
• Kimberly Hébert Gregory, actress (d. 2025)
• Tiffany Haddish, actress
• Pooch Hall, actor
• Regina Hall, actress
• Cory Hardrict, actor
• Omari Hardwick, actor
• Kevin Hart, actor
• Darrin Henson, actor
• Taraji P. Henson, actress
• Taral Hicks, actress, singer
• Dulé Hill, actor and tap dancer
• André Holland, actor
• Russell Hornsby, actor
• Inspectah Deck, rapper
• Janelle James, comedian, actress, and writer
• Ja Rule, rapper
• Barry Jenkins, director, producer, screenwriter
• Dwayne Johnson, actor
• April Parker Jones, actress
• Rashida Jones, actress
• Richard T. Jones, actor
• Tamala Jones, actress
• Rhoda Jordan, actress
• Germany Kent, print and broadcast journalist, television personality, former beauty queen, actress, businesswoman, producer, philanthropist, and author
• Keegan-Michael Key, actor, comedian
• Khujo, rapper
• Killer Mike, rapper
• Regina King, actress
• Boris Kodjoe, actor
• Sanaa Lathan, actress
• Bianca Lawson, actress
• Sharon Leal, actress ( biological father was African-American )
• John Legend, singer, actor, producer
• Lil Jon, rapper
• Loni Love, comedienne
• Ludacris, actor/rapper
• Anthony Mackie, actor
• Vincent Mason, disc jockey and actor
• Darius McCrary, actor and singer
• Method Man, actor
• Windell Middlebrooks, actor (d. 2015)
• Omar Benson Miller, actor
• Wentworth Miller, actor
• Kel Mitchell, actor, comedian
• Shemar Moore, actor
• Ali Shaheed Muhammad, actor/musician
• Niecy Nash, actress
• Tariq Nasheed, film producer
• Nelly, rapper
• Brandy Norwood, actress
• Shaquille O'Neal, actor
• Nicole Ari Parker, actress
• Paula Patton (African-American father), actress
• Khary Payton, actor
• Pete Rock, disc jockey and Hip Hop producer
• Jordan Peele, actor, comedian
• Mekhi Phifer, actor
• Q-Tip, actor and Hip Hop producer
• Questlove, disc jockey and Hip Hop producer
• Queen Latifah, rapper, actress
• Raekwon, rapper
• Corey Reynolds, actor
• Lauren Ridloff, actress
• Leonard Roberts, actor
• Bumper Robinson, actor
• Craig Robinson, actor, comedian
• Anika Noni Rose, actress
• Tracee Ellis Ross, actress, model, comedian
• Zoe Saldaña, actress
• Sherri Saum, actress (African-American father)
• Tupac Shakur, actor, rapper (d. 1996)
• Shanice, singer
• Beanie Sigel, rapper
• Henry Simmons, actor
• IronE Singleton, actor
• Sisqo, rapper singer
• Jada Pinkett Smith, actress, singer-songwriter
• Octavia Spencer, actress
• Larenz Tate, actor
• The Game, rapper
• Charlize Theron, actress
• Kenan Thompson, actor, comedian
• T-Mo, rapper
• Tony Yayo, actor
• Treach, rapper
• Chris Tucker, actor, comedian
• Usher, actor, singer
• Vin Rock, rapper
• Vincent M. Ward, actor
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner, actor (d. 2025)
• Kerry Washington, actress
• Marlon Wayans, actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer
• Shawn Wayans, actor, comedian, writer, producer
• Rutina Wesley, actress
• Jaleel White, actor, comedian
• Charles Malik Whitfield, actor
• Kellie Shanygne Williams, actress
• Cedric Yarbrough, comedian
• Yo-Yo, rapper
• Bokeem Woodbine, actor

Born in the 1960s

• Tichina Arnold, actress
• Michael Beach, actor
• Jennifer Beals (African-American father), actress
• Darryl M. Bell, actor
• Halle Berry, actress
• Richard Biggs, actor (d. 2004)
• Big Daddy Kane, rapper
• Birdman, rapper
• Sean Blakemore, actor
• Michael Boatman, actor and sitcom comedian
• Lisa Bonet (African-American father), actress
• Andre Braugher, actor (d. 2023)
• Toni Braxton, singer
• Todd Bridges, actor
• Richard Brooks, actor
• Frances Callier, actress
• Mariah Carey, (African-American father) actress
• Rocky Carroll, actor
• Cedric the Entertainer, actor and comedian
• Don Cheadle, actor
• Morris Chestnut, actor
• CL Smooth, rapper
• Chad L. Coleman, actor
• Gary Coleman, actor, comedian (d. 2010)
• Kim Coles, actress
• Sean Combs, actor
• Lavell Crawford, actor and comedian
• Rusty Cundieff, actor
• Mark Curry, actor
• Danny Boy, rapper
• Stacey Dash (African-American father), actress
• Tommy Davidson, actor
• Cassi Davis, actress
• LaVan Davis, actor
• Viola Davis, actress
• Deezer D, actor, rapper (d. 2021)
• DJ Kay Gee, rapper
• DJ Yella, disc jockey and rapper
• Natalie Desselle-Reid, actress (d. 2020)
• Nate Dogg, actor (d. 2011)
• Colman Domingo (African-American mother), actor
• Doug E. Fresh (Brazilian-African-American sister), beatboxer and rapper
• Gary Dourdan, actor
• Dr. Dre, actor
• Dres, rapper
• E-40, actor
• Eric B., actor
• Sonya Eddy, actress (d. 2022)
• Kim Fields, actress
• Laurence Fishburne, actor
• Freddie Foxxx, actor
• Thomas Mikal Ford, actor, comedian (d. 2016)
• Vivica A. Fox, actress
• Jamie Foxx, actor
• Johnny Gill, singer
• Seth Gilliam, actor
• Robin Givens, actress
• Cuba Gooding Jr., actor
• Grand Puba, rapper
• Eddie Griffin, actor
• Jasmine Guy, actress
• GZA, rapper
• Kadeem Hardison, actor, director
• Hill Harper, actor
• D'atra Hicks, actress, singer
• Whitney Houston, actress (d. 2012)
• Terrance Howard, actor
• D.L. Hughley, comedian, actor
• Ice Cube, actor
• Janet Jackson, actress and singer
• Jay-Z, rapper
• Kristoff St. John, actor (d. 2019)
• A.J. Johnson (d. 2021)
• Anne-Marie Johnson, actress
• David Jude Jolicoeur, actor (d. 2023)
• Orlando Jones, actor
• Roy Jones Jr., actor
• R. Kelly, former singer and actor
• Kidd Creole, rapper
• Kool G Rap, rapper
• Lenny Kravitz, actor
• KRS-One, actor
• Phil LaMarr, actor, comedian
• Martin Lawrence, actor, comedian
• Scott Lawrence, actor
• Harry Lennix (African-American mother), actor
• Dawnn Lewis (with Caribbean blood), actress
• Kecia Lewis, singer and actress
• Phill Lewis, actor, comedian
• Tina Lifford, actress
• LL Cool J, actor
• Lord Jamar, actor
• Faizon Love, actor and comedian
• Ed Lover, rapper and actor
• David Mann, actor
• Tamela Mann, actress
• Mannie Fresh, Hip Hop producer
• Jesse L. Martin, actor
• Tisha Campbell-Martin, actress
• Masta Killa, rapper
• Chi McBride, actor
• Darryl McDaniels, actor
• Brian McKnight, singer
• Tim Meadows, actor
• Melle Mel, actor and rapper
• Kelvin Mercer, rapper and actor
• Daryl Mitchell, actor
• Tracy Morgan, actor
• Phil Moore, actor and TV host
• Eddie Murphy, actor and comedian
• Haywood Nelson, actor
• Patrice O'Neal, actor and comedian (d. 2011)
• John Paris, singer
• Carl Anthony Payne II, actor
• Allen Payne, actor
• Holly Robinson Peete, actress
• Tyler Perry, actor, comedian, filmmaker
• Wendell Pierce, actor
• Glenn Plummer, actor
• Gina Ravera (part African-American descent) actress
• Donnell Rawlings, actor and comedian
• Gene Anthony Ray, actor (d. 2003)
• Lance Reddick, actor (d. 2023)
• Rakim, rapper
• Kevin Michael Richardson, actor
• Leon Robinson, actor
• Chris Rock, actor and comedian
• Andre Royo, actor
• RuPaul, actor
• RZA, actor
• Sadat X, rapper
• Sherri Shepherd, actress and comedian
• Joseph Simmons, actor
• John Singleton, director, producer, screenwriter (d. 2019)
• Isaac C. Singleton Jr., actor
• Slick Rick, rapper, actor and beatboxer
• Will Smith, actor and rapper
• J. B. Smoove, actor and comedian
• Wesley Snipes, actor
• Sonja Sohn (African-American father), actress and director
• Danielle Spencer, actress (d. 2025)
• Wanda Sykes, actress and comedian
• Michelle Thomas, actress, comedian (d. 1998)
• Tone-Loc, rapper, actor
• Blair Underwood, actor
• Sheryl Underwood, actress, comedian
• Courtney B. Vance, actor
• Isaiah Washington, actor
• Damon Wayans, comedian, actor, writer and producer
• Forest Whitaker, actor
• Michael Jai White, actor and martial artist
• Eugene Wilde, singer
• Gary Anthony Williams, actor
• Michael K. Williams, actor (d. 2021)
• Chris Williams, actor
• Vanessa Williams, actress
• Larry Wilmore, actor and comedian
• Debra Wilson, actress and comedian
• Reno Wilson, actor and comedian
• Yvette Wilson, actress and comedian (d. 2012)
• Jeffrey Wright, actor
• Malik Yoba, actor

Born in the 1950s

• Khandi Alexander, actress
• Debbie Allen, actress
• Sherman Augustus, actor, martial artist and former NFL player
• Patti Austin, singer
• BabyFace, singer
• Philip Bailey, singer
• Anita Baker, singer
• Leslie David Baker, actor
• Angela Bassett, actress
• Fred Berry, actor (d. 2003)
• Billy Blanks, actor
• Sharon Bryant, R&B singer
• Peabo Bryson, singer
• LeVar Burton, actor
• L. Scott Caldwell, actress
• Vanessa Bell Calloway, actress
• Reg E. Cathey, actor (d. 2018)
• Judy Cheeks, singer
• Natalie Cole, actress (d. 2015)
• Tony Cox, actor
• Keith David, actor, comedian
• Michael Dorn, actor
• Suzzanne Douglas, actress (d. 2021)
• Denise Dowse, actress and director (d. 2022)
• Michael Clarke Duncan, actor (d. 2012)
• Charles S. Dutton, actor
• Giancarlo Esposito (Italian and African American heritage), actor
• Dave Fennoy, actor
• Clarence Gilyard, actor (d. 2022)
• Whoopi Goldberg, actress
• Robert Gossett, actor
• Grandmaster Flash, rapper and disc jockey
• David Alan Grier, actor
• Arsenio Hall, actor
• Vondie Curtis-Hall, actor
• Kevin Peter Hall, actor (d. 1991)
• Dorian Harewood, actor
• Jackee Harry (African-American father), actress
• Steve Harvey, comedian, actor
• Dennis Haysbert, actor
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson, actor, playwright, and director
• Jermaine Jackson, actor
• La Toya Jackson, actress
• Michael Jackson, King of pop and actor (d. 2009)
• Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, actor
• Larry "Flash" Jenkins, actor, director, producer, screenwriter (d. 2019)
• Ralph Johnson, singer
• Jay Arlen Jones, actor (d. 2023)
• Ron Cephas Jones, actor (d. 2023)
• Chaka Khan, singer
• Spike Lee, film director, producer, writer, actor
• Jenifer Lewis, actress
• Tommy Lister Jr., actor (d. 2020)
• Bernie Mac, actor, comedian (d. 2008)
• Debbi Morgan, actress
• Mr. T, actor
• Charlie Murphy, actor and comedian (d. 2017)
• Lance E. Nichols, actor
• Bill Nunn, actor (d. 2016)
• Jo Marie Payton, actress
• Paul Pena, singer-songwriter, guitarist (d. 2005)
• CCH Pounder (with Caribbean blood), actress
• Clifton Powell, actor
• Prince, actor (d. 2016)
• Dianne Reeves, singer
• Ving Rhames, actor
• Howard Rollins, actor (d. 1996)
• Victoria Rowell (African-American father), actress
• Sinbad, actor and comedian
• Bern Nadette Stanis, actress
• Ron Taylor, actor (d. 2002)
• Tony Todd, actor (d. 2024)
• Reginald VelJohnson, actor
• Denzel Washington, actor, director and producer; winner of three Golden Globe Awards
• Verdine White, singer, bassist
• Lynn Whitfield, actress
• Deniece Williams, singer
• Mykelti Williamson, actor
• Oprah Winfrey, actress, media executive
• Stevie Wonder, singer
• Alfre Woodard, actress

Born in the 1940s

• James Avery, actor (d. 2013)
• Margaret Avery, actress
• Taurean Blacque, actor (d. 2022)
• John Beasley, actor (d. 2023)
• George Benson, singer
• Avery Brooks, actor
• Roger Aaron Brown, actor
• Ron Canada, actor and producer
• Nell Carter, actress (d. 2003)
• Olivia Cole, actress (d. 2018)
• Hugh Dane, actor (d. 2018)
• Loretta Devine, actress
• Art Evans, actor (d. 2024)
• Damon Evans, actor
• Mike Evans, actor (d. 2006)
• Jessie Lawrence Ferguson, actor (d. 2019)
• Ken Foree, actor
• Aretha Franklin, actress (d. 2018)
• Sheila Frazier, actress
• Ron Glass, actor (d. 2016)
• Danny Glover, actor
• Cuba Gooding Sr., actor (d. 2017)
• Larry Graham, singer
• Teresa Graves, actress (d. 2002)
• Pam Grier, actress
• Alaina Reed Hall, actress (d. 2009)
• Isaac Hayes, actor (d. 2008)
• Shirley Hemphill, actress (d. 1999)
• Gregory Hines, actor (d. 2003)
• Mike Hodge, actor (d. 2017)
• Kene Holliday, actor
• Telma Hopkins, actress and singer
• Anna Maria Horsford, actress
• Ernie Hudson, actor
• Samuel L. Jackson, actor
• Jim Kelly, actor (d. 2013)
• Gladys Knight, actress
• Patti LaBelle, actress
• Ted Lange, actor
• Darlene Love, actress
• Al Matthews, actor (d. 2018)
• Vonetta McGee, actress (d. 2010)
• Frank McRae, actor (d. 2021)
• Paul Mooney, actor and comedian (d. 2021)
• Joe Morton, actor
• Jeffrey Osborne, singer
• Billy Preston, actor (d. 2006)
• Joan Pringle, actress
• Richard Pryor, actor and comedian (d. 2005)
• Marion Ramsey, actress (d. 2021)
• Daphne Maxwell Reid, actress and comedian
• Tim Reid, actor
• James Reynolds, actor
• LaTanya Richardson, actress
• Lionel Richie, actor, composer, and singer
• Charlie Robinson, actor (d. 2021)
• Roger Robinson, actor (d. 2018)
• Smokey Robinson, singer
• Diana Ross, actress and singer
• Richard Roundtree, actor (d. 2023)
• O. J. Simpson, actor (d. 2024)
• Carly Simon, singer
• Bubba Smith, actor (d. 2011)
• Meshach Taylor, actor (d. 2014)
• Lynne Thigpen, actress (d. 2003)
• Ernest Lee Thomas, actor
• Berlinda Tolbert, actress
• Glynn Turman, actor
• Leslie Uggams, actress and singer
• Ben Vereen, actor, dancer, and singer
• Jimmie Walker, actor
• Dionne Warwick, actress and singer
• Carl Weathers, actor (d. 2024)
• Demond Wilson, actor
• Theodore Wilson, actor (d. 1991)
• John Witherspoon, actor and comedian (d. 2019)
• Samuel E. Wright, actor (d. 2021)

Born in the 1930s

• Mary Alice, actress (d. 2022)
• John Amos, actor (d. 2024)
• Paul Benjamin, actor (d. 2019)
• Johnny Brown, actor (d. 2022)
• Jim Brown, actor (d. 2023)
• Tony Burton, actor (d. 2016)
• Godfrey Cambridge, comedian and actor (d. 1976)
• Diahann Carroll, actress (d. 2019)
• Bernie Casey, actor (d. 2017)
• Rosalind Cash, actress and singer (d. 1995)
• Ray Charles, actor (d. 2004)
• Bill Cobbs, actor (d. 2024)
• Bill Cosby, actor and comedian
• Ivan Dixon, actor, director, and producer (d. 2008)
• Robert DoQui, actor (d. 2008)
• Ja'Net DuBois, actress (d. 2020)
• Roberta Flack, singer (d. 2025)
• Gloria Foster, actress (d. 2001)
• Al Freeman Jr., actor and director (d. 2012)
• Morgan Freeman, actor
• Marla Gibbs, actress
• Carl Gordon, actor (d. 2010)
• Louis Gossett Jr., actor (d. 2024)
• Dick Gregory, actor and comedian (d. 2017)
• Rosey Grier, actor
• Bill Gunn, actor and director (d. 1989)
• Lynn Hamilton, actress (d. 2025)
• Lloyd Haynes, actor (d. 1986)
• Sherman Hemsley, actor (d. 2012)
• Ellen Holly, actress (d. 2023)
• Robert Hooks, actor
• Raymond St. Jacques, actor (d. 1990)
• Rafer Johnson, actor (d. 2020)
• Duane Jones, actor (d. 1988)
• James Earl Jones, actor (d. 2024)
• Lincoln Kilpatrick, actor (d. 2004)
• Mabel King, actress (d. 1999)
• Yaphet Kotto, actor (d. 2021)
• Cleavon Little, actor (d. 1992)
• Janet MacLachlan, actress (d. 2010)
• Don Marshall, actor (d. 2016)
• Whitman Mayo, actor (d. 2001)
• James McEachin, actor (d. 2025)
• Barbara McNair, actress and singer (d. 2007)
• Garrett Morris, actor and comedian
• Greg Morris, actor (d. 1996)
• Roger E. Mosley, actor (d. 2022)
• Lou Myers, actor (d. 2013)
• Nichelle Nichols, actress (d. 2022)
• Ron O'Neal, actor (d. 2004)
• Melvin Van Peebles, actor and filmmaker (d. 2021)
• J. A. Preston, actor
• Thalmus Rasulala, actor (d. 1991)
• Lou Rawls, actor (d. 2006)
• Della Reese, actress, singer (d. 2017)
• Little Richard, actor (d. 2020)
• Matt Robinson, actor and producer (d. 2002)
• Madge Sinclair, actress (d. 1995)
• Nathaniel Taylor, actor (d. 2019)
• Wally Taylor, actor (d. 2012)
• Tina Turner, actress and singer (d. 2023)
• Billy Dee Williams, actor
• Clarence Williams III, actor (d. 2021)
• Hal Williams, actor
• Fred Williamson, actor
• Flip Wilson, actor and comedian (d. 1998)
• Nancy Wilson, actress (d. 2018)
• Paul Winfield, actor (d. 2004)

Born in the 1920s

• Maya Angelou, actress (d. 2014)
• Harry Belafonte, actor and singer (d. 2023)
• Roscoe Lee Browne, actor (d. 2007)
• Virginia Capers, actor (d. 2004)
• Rupert Crosse, actor (d. 1973)
• Sammy Davis Jr., actor (d. 1990)
• Ruby Dee, actress (d. 2014)
• Redd Foxx, comedian, actor (d. 1991)
• Susie Garrett, actress (d. 2002)
• Robert Guillaume, actor (d. 2017)
• Moses Gunn, actor (d. 1993)
• Bernie Hamilton, actor (d. 2008)
• Julius Harris, actor (d. 2004)
• Eartha Kitt, actress (d. 2008)
• William Marshall, actor and director (d. 2003)
• LaWanda Page, actress (d. 2002)
• Brock Peters, actor (d. 2005)
• Sidney Poitier, actor (d. 2022)
• Roxie Roker, actress (d. 1995)
• Esther Rolle, actress (d. 2004)
• Mel Stewart, actor (d. 2002)
• Cicely Tyson, actress (d. 2021)
• William Warfield, actor (d. 2002)

Born in the 1910s

• Willie Best, actor and comedian (d. 1962)
• Nat King Cole, actor (d. 1965)
• Scatman Crothers, actor (d. 1986)
• Ossie Davis, actor (d. 2005)
• Tina Dixon, R&B singer, actress and comedian (d. 2004)
• Roy Glenn, actor (d. 1971)
• Edna Mae Harris, actress, singer (d. 1997)
• Robert Earl Jones, actor and professional boxer (d. 2007)
• Sybil Lewis, actress (d. 1988)
• Nina Mae McKinney, actress and singer (d. 1995)
• Butterfly McQueen, actress (d. 1967)
• Juanita Moore, actress (d. 2014)
• Maidie Norman, actress (d. 1998)
• Jimmy Robinson, actor (d. 1967)
• Timmie Rogers, comedian, actor (d. 2006)
• Nipsey Russell, comedian (d. 2005)
• Isabel Sanford, actress, comedian (d. 2004)
• Joe Seneca, actor, singer, and songwriter (d. 1996)
• Woody Strode, actor (d. 1994)
• Clarice Taylor, actress (d. 2011)
• Napoleon Whiting, actor (d. 1984)

Born in the 1900s

• Eddie Anderson, actor (d. 1977)
• James Baskett, actor (d. 1948)
• Louise Beavers, actress (d. 1962)
• Mildred Boyd, actress, singer, and dancer (d. 1999)
• Everett Brown, actor (d. 1953)
• Cab Calloway, actor (d. 1994)
• Alvin Childress, actor (d. 1986)
• Ruby Dandridge, actress (d. 1987)
• Dudley Dickerson, actor (d. 1968)
• Theresa Harris, actress, singer, dancer (d. 1985)
• Gee Gee James, radio and theater actress and singer (d. 1971)
• Canada Lee, professional athlete, musician, and actor (d. 1952)
• Mantan Moreland, actor and comedian (d. 1973)
• Alice Whitman, actress (d. 1968)
• Fred Toones, actor and comedian (d. 1962)
• Lillian Yarbo, actress, dancer, and singer (d. 1996)

Born in the 1890s

• Ismay Andrews, actor (d. ?)
• Rex Ingram, actor (d. 1969)
• John Marriott, actor (d. 1977)
• Charles R. Moore, actor (d. 1947)
• Charles Olden, actor (d. 1943)
• Lillian Randolph, actress (d. 1980)
• Paul Robeson, actor (d. 1976)
• Edward Thompson, actor (d. 1960)
• Bill Walker, actor (d. 1992)
• Blue Washington, actor (d. 1970)
• Spencer Williams Jr., actor and filmmaker (d. 1969)
• Zara Cully, actress (d. 1978)

Born in the 1880s

• Spencer Bell, actor (d. 1935)
• Sam McDaniel, actor (d. 1962)
• Tim Moore, actor (d. 1958)
• Clarence Muse, actor (d. 1979)
• Whitman Sisters, actresses
• Oscar Smith, actor (d. 1956)

Born in the 19th century

• Ira Aldridge, actor (d. 1867)
• Amanda and Samuel Chambers, early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah (d. 1929)
• David Fagen, buffalo soldier, anti-imperialist (d. ?)
• Jesse Graves, actor (d. 1949)
• Irving Jones, comedian and songwriter (d. 1932)
• Cora Ann Pair Thomas, missionary (d. 1952)

References

References

1. Akhalbey, Francis. (2018-01-26). "Emotional Eritrea homecoming for comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish [Video]".
2. (January 2022). "Paula Patton". www.m.imdb.com.
3. "Tracie Ellis Ross and Malcolm Jamal-Warner talk read between the lines". www.hollywoodreporter.com.
4. https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0000586/bio {{User-generated source. (March 2022)
5. https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/471716-tyler-perry-just-opened-a-massive-film-studio-in "The star becomes the first African American to own a major film production facility".
6. "Oprah Winfrey: From poverty to America's first African American billionaire". www.theguardian.com.
7. Halzack, Sarah. (June 13, 2014). "Ruby Dee: Actress and activist who fought civil rights and broke through racial barriers on Broadway in films, and on TV". The Independent UK.