These are the greatest Black actors in film history. The list includes legendary icons like Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington, as well as rising stars like Michael B. Jordan. Each actor has delivered unforgettable performances across a body of work that spans a spectrum of genres and generations. The names on this list are a mix of Oscar winners and multi-talented entertainers, with only the most deserving individuals having made the cut. These are the top 10 best Black actors of all time.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is one of the most esteemed and successful African American actors ever. His career across film and plays has lasted over four decades. With James Earl Jones, it was the voice. With Washington, it’s the presence. And almost always, it’s the performance. Training Day, Malcolm X, and Fences are some of his best work.
Sidney Poitier
When discussing the finest African American actors, it’s impossible not to bring up Sidney Poitier—the very first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor and an actual pathfinder within Hollywood. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 94, but before his departure, Poitier left a mark on the film industry that feels as fresh today as it did in his heyday. With a series of striking performances that left audiences and critics absolutely breathless, Poitier collected several awards and distinctions.
Will Smith
In recent years, controversy may have come knocking on the doors of Hollywood’s most bankable actor, but there is really no denying the long-running success and undeniable versatility of Will Smith. From The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to blockbuster hits like Men in Black, The Pursuit of Happyness, and I Am Legend, Smith has proven his range time and again—earning four Grammys and an Oscar along the way. Despite the infamous Oscar slap, his legacy as a bankable star and cultural icon remains intact.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx is a multi-talented actor, singer, and comedian who took home an Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for his powerful performance as Ray Charles in Ray (2004). He’s also known for standout parts in Django Unchained, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. He’s made a name for himself as one of the best actors of all time.
Forest Whitaker
Acclaimed actor Forest Whitaker has earned a career filled with major honors and awards for performances in a range of celebrated and popular films, including Bird, Black Panther, and Rogue One. He won an Oscar for playing dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland. Whitaker is more than an actor, however—he is a humanitarian. He serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO and is the CEO of the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative.
Morgan Freeman
Iconic for both his voice and on-screen presence, Morgan Freeman has had a 50-year career filled with award-winning performances. From Street Smart and Driving Miss Daisy to The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, and Invictus, he has earned multiple stars on the Walk of Fame, not to mention quite a few Oscar and Golden Globe nods.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson, the actor with the third-highest grossing of all time, is known for playing Nick Fury in the MCU. He has appeared in 11 films as Fury and in only one film as a character with a similar name (Howard Stark). Fury is one of Jackson’s most iconic roles. He also has a number of other well-known roles, including Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park, Unbreakable, and Coming to America. Moreover, he has worked with several amazing directors and in ”The Incredibles,” he voiced one of the funniest characters, Frozone.
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne has three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for his role in Two Trains Running (1992). He’s famous for acting in films like The Matrix and John Wick, but he made history as the first African American man to play Othello in a Shakespearean adaptation. Beyond just acting, he has also produced, written, and directed the film Once in the Life (2000).
Michael B. Jordan
At 35, Michael B. Jordan has already made a significant mark as both an actor and producer. Known for his standout roles in Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for producing Fahrenheit 451 (2018). Jordan’s career began in 1998 with The Wire, and he later gained recognition for roles in Chronicle (2012), Fantastic Four (2015), and Just Mercy (2019), earning accolades like being named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020.
Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman had a remarkable two-decade career, with his most iconic role as T’Challa/Black Panther in the MCU from 2016 to 2019. He made history as the first African American actor to headline an MCU film, earning an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Black Panther (2018). After being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, his final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), earned him two Oscar and Golden Globe nominations before his tragic passing at 43.
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