biographies of thirty top black American and British film stars

By Rob Cockerham | July 2, 2014

Sometimes it seems like there are only three black actors who work in film. To shatter that illusion, please read and memorize the biographies of these African American and black British film stars

Eddie Murphy

Brooklyn, New York

Eddie Murphy is among three top black film actors. His 38 movies have averaged a gross of over $100 million each. He is a leading man, and the highest grossing comedian in film.

Known For Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Trading Places (1983) Coming to America (1988) Norbit (2007)

Voice Over: Shrek movies

Morgan Freeman

Memphis, Tennessee

Morgan Freeman is among three top black film actors. He had a deep, memorable voice which makes him a very valuable announcer and voice over actor. He has made a staggering number of films and is second only to Tom Hanks in lifetime box office totals.

Known For

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Se7en (1995) Driving Miss Daisy(1989) Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Oscar winner

Voice Over: The Lego Movie

Samuel L. Jackson

Washington, D.C.

Samuel L. Jackson is among the top three black film actors. He has acted in more than 62 movies, among the most of any actor. He is the only top black actor to have starred in a trilogy, and he has been in two of them. His early career featured evil characters, but he has played mostly good guys since 1999.

Known For

Pulp Fiction (1994) Django Unchained(2012) The Incredibles (2004) Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Nominated for Oscar: Pulp Fiction

Voice Over: The Incredibles

Will Smith

Philadelphia

Will Smith has done it all with charisma. Everyone loves him. He got his start as a rapper with DJ Jazzy Jeff in 1985. He had some hit songs featuring his goofy raps, which inspired his unforgettable television sitcom: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. After three years on the show, he was cast in Independence Day and began a long career in film. He is a leading man. Hancock is one of my favorite movies.

Known For

Men in Black(1997) I, Robot (2004) I Am Legend (2007) The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Hancock

Twice Oscar Nominated

Denzel Washington

Mt. Vernon, New York

Denzel Washington is an intense actor who is a leading man in successful dramas. He protrays brilliant, strong characters. Denzel Washington doesn't make kids movies. He is the actor to use if you anticipate your film winning an Oscar.

Known For

American Gangster (2007) Training Day (2001) Man on Fire (2004) Inside Man (2006) Flight (2012)

Won two Oscars (Glory 1999 & Training Day 2001)

Tyrese Gibson

Watts, Los Angeles, California

Tyrese Gibson is a young actor with fountains of charisma and box-office success. He has been in three Transformers movies and three Fast & Furious Movies. He often plays a character who clowns around. Has some leading man experience.

Known For

Transformers (2007) 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Laurence Fishburne

Augusta, Georgia and Brooklyn, NYC.

Larry Fishburne was in Apocalypse Now when he was 14. Not exclusively cast as a bad guy, he's played a lot of villians. He was in the Marvel comics universe, as the voice of the Silver Surfer, but he's in the movies for D.C. comics universe now, playing Perry White, the Daily Planet publisher. He's got a Tony and an Emmy and he was nominated for an Oscar in 1994 (What's Love Got to Do with it?)

Known For

The Matrix (1999) Mystic River (2003) Apocalypse Now (1979) Event Horizon (1997) King of New York

Oscar Nominated

voice over: Osmosis Jones

Jamie Foxx

Terrell, Texas

One of the most athletic men on this list. He was nominated for the Oscar in two categories for two movies in the same year. He won for Ray (2004), lost for Collateral (2004). He was an athelete in high school, a comedian in college and a top dramatic actor now. He is a leading man. He has been a villian.

Known For

Django Unchained (2012) Collateral (2004) Ray (2004) Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

voice over: Rio

Sidney Poitier

The Bahamas & Miami

Sidney Poitier was Hollywood's original black actor. He was the first black actor to have his handprints in the cement in front of Grummond's Chinese Theatre. He was the first African American to win an oscar for best actor (Lilies of the Field 1963). He directed "Stir Crazy" with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. He is a leading man.

Known For

In the Heat of the Night (1967) The Jackal (1997) Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) Lilies of the Field (1963)

Won Oscar for Lilies of the Field (1963), nominated for The Defiant Ones (1958)

Idris Elba

London, England

Idris Elba seems to have come out of nowhere to become the most trusted black actor in Hollywood. That's probably because I wasn't watching the Wire, where everyone else fell in love with him. He has a very interesting voice, putting him into contention for dramatic roles as a leader.

Known For

Prometheus (2012) Pacific Rim (2013) Thor (2011) 28 Weeks Later (2007) Mandela (2014)

voice over: jungle book (2015)

Tyler Perry

From New Orleans, Louisiana.

Tyler Perry does everything himself. He has his own studio, his own production company, he writes his own scripts and directs his own movies. He makes dramas, comedies and romanic comedies for black audiences. He is succeeding.

Known For

Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor(2013) For Better or Worse (2011) I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009) Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)

Michael Clarke Duncan

Chicago, Il.

Michael Clarke Duncan is a huge, good natured guy with a super deep voice. He worked as a bodyguard for singers and actors before breaking into the acting business. He was engaged to reality show villian Omarosa Manigault, who performed CPR when he had a heart attack. He died young.

Known For

The Green Mile (1999) Sin City (2005)Planet of the Apes (2001) Daredevil (2003)

Nominated for an Oscar (The Green Mile)

voice over: Kung Fu Panda, Green Lantern, Air Buddies, Brother Bear

Forest Whittaker

Los Angeles, California

Forest Whittaker is an example of that ultra-rare actor who can emerge from a career as a character actor to a leading man. He can do anything, and has a special section on his IMDB bio which recounts his exploits as a "challenging assignment" taker. I doubt he has ever been in a comedy.

Known For

Platoon (1986) The Last King of Scotland (2006) Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) Phone Booth (2002)

Won an oscar for The Last King of Scotland (2006).

voice over: Where the Wild Things Are

Don Cheadle

Kansas City, MO

Don Cheadle has done it all. He was in Crash and Traffic. He was a leading man in Hotel Rwanda, he was part of the ensemble crime films Ocean's 11, 12 and 13, and he back-filled the role of Iron Man's pal James Rhodes after Terrence Howard left the trilogy. He is thin, but doesn't do comedy.

Known For

Crash (2004) Iron Man 3 (2013) Iron Man 2 (2010) Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Nominated for an Oscar (Hotel Rwanda)

Wesley Snipes

Bronx, New York City

Had an intense career as an action hero, becoming one of the first truly successful comic book action heroes: Blade. He got busted for not filing his tax returns and for owing the US government about $20 million dollars. He went to prison for years, but got out.

Was in a trilogy.

Known For

Blade (1998) Passenger 57 (1992) New Jack City (1990) Demolition Man (1993)

André Benjamin

Oh, wait, this is Andre 3000 from Outkast.

Known For

The Great Gatsby (2013) 8 Mile (2002) Idlewild (2006) 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Anthony Mackie

New Orleans, Louisiana

Is often cast as an action hero depite his thin frame.

Known For

Captain America, The Winter Soldier (2014) The Hurt Locker The Hurt Locker (2008) Million Dollar Baby Million Dollar Baby (2004) The Adjustment Bureau The Adjustment Bureau (2011) Real Steel Real Steel (2011)

James Earl Jones

Known For

The Lion King (1994) Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) Dr. Strangelove (1964) Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Won an Oscar for a lifetime achievement in film. He also has a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy.

His voice has been in a trilogy.

Voice Over: Star Wars

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Bronx, New York

His biggest role, the one he won an Oscar for, was for an ultra-confident, outspoken football star, but many of his other roles are of soft-spoken, polite characters. Picture Cuba Gooding Jr. with a gun in his hand. You can't, can you?

Jerry Maguire (1996) As Good as It Gets (1997) Men of Honor (2000) What Dreams May Come (1998)

Won Oscar for best in a supporting role: Jerry Maguire (1996)

Voice over: Home on the Range (2004)

Chiwetel Ejiofor

London, UK

A british actor, a leading man, not cast as a tough guy. He's played a slave in two dramas, Amistad and 12 years a slave, but he has also been in comedies and action movies.

Known For

12 Years a Slave (2013) Children of Men (2006) American Gangster (2007) 2012 (2009)

Nominated for 1 Oscar (12 years a slave)

Terrence Howard

Chicago, Illinois

I like Terrence Howard. I think he might be a little too honest for Hollywood, or the identity of his characters, smooth and crafty, must influence the people he works with.

Known For

Iron Man (2008) Prisoners (2013) Hustle & Flow (2005) The Brave One (2007)

Nominated for an Oscar (Hustle and Flow)

Voice Over: The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Dennis Haysburt

San Mateo, California

He's probably best known as the Allstate voice guy, or maybe he is best known as the president from 24. He actually might be best known as the boss from The Unit television show. I know him as the driver/cook who is a last-minute addition to the best bank crew in movie history, Heat.

Known For Heat (1995) Major League (1989)

Voice Over: Wreck-It Ralph, Mr. Peabody & Sherman



Taye Diggs

Rochester, New York

Taye Diggs was mostly a television and theatre actor until he was in Chicago (the musical). I guess he is still more famous as a television actor, because he was on Private Practice for five years. He is a musical guy, very good looking.

Known For

Chicago (2002) Private Practice (2007) The Way of the Gun (2000) How Stella Got Her Groove Back (2001)

Djimon Hounsou

Benin (West Africa)

Looks tough and rural. Attractive, sandblasted. Plays physically strong characters. Was in Amistad, Blood Diamond and Gladiator, so he's played pretty much every kind of slave.

Known For

Gladiator (2000) Blood Diamond (2006) The Island (2005) Constantine (2005)

Nominated for two Oscars: Blood Diamond (2006) and In America (2002)

Voice Over: How to Train your Dragon 2

Mos Def

Brooklyn, New York

Plays timid, streetwise characters and has a unique, pointed voice.

The Italian Job (2003) Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry (2002) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) 16 Blocks (2006)

Ice Cube

Los Angeles, CA

Starting as a rapper in Compton, California, he began his flim career playing an urban gangster, but found a new talent writing films for black audiences, such as the comedy Friday and its sequels. He had a couple of starring roles in action movies, and lately has been a staple in summer comedies. Plays a scowling tough guy.

Known For

Friday (1995) Boyz n the Hood (1991) 21 Jump Street (2012) Next Friday (2000)

Voice Over: Book of Life (2014)

Common

Chicago, Illinois

Started as a rapper, plays agile good guys in action movies. Had a starring role in the television Western Hell on Wheels. Won an Emmy.

Known For

Smokin' Aces (2006) Wanted (2008) Now You See Me (2013) Terminator Salvation (2009)

Larenz Tate

Bell Gardens, California.

Sometimes plays a young hustler with a mustache.

Known for Known For

Menace II Society (1993) The Postman (1997) Ray(2004) A Man Apart (2003)

John Boyega

UK

Plays a strong, quiet character. Leading man. I am a fan of Attack the Block, and I know John was selected for Star Wars 7, so I'm just going to include him here and assume that he will be a star.

Known For

Attack the Block (2011) Imperial Dreams (2014) My Murder (2012) Junkhearts (2011)

Comedians

The Comedians below are also famous black movie actors.

Chris Rock

Bill Cosby

Tracy Morgan

Orlando Jones

Eddie Griffin

Richard Ayoade

Martin Lawrence

Kevin Hart

Katt Williams

More Black Actors:

David Oyelowo

Danny Glover

Louis Gossett Jr.

Billy Dee Williams

Ice T

Jaden Smith

Terry Crews

Wendell Pierce

Mike Epps

Michael B. Jordan

Isaach De Bankolé

Levar Burton

George Sharperson

Ernie Hudson

Clifton Powell

L.L. Cool J.

Daryl Chase

Harry Belafonte

Andre Braugher

Avery Brooks

Michael Dorn

Charles S. Dutton

Frankie Faison

Yaphet Kotto

Delroy Lindo

Garrett Morris

Joe Morton

Clarke Peters

Ben Vereen

Lenny Henry

Clarence Williams III



Don't forget about Vin Diesel.

