Black Actresses

1. Joy Bryant

Actress | Bobby

Joy Bryant was born in a modest home in The Bronx, New York and as a young woman, was enrolled in an inner-city outreach organization called "A Better Chance," designed to encourage minority talent. Joy was also blessed with brains as well beauty and remained an excellent student throughout her ...

2. Kimberly Elise

Actress | Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Kimberly Elise was born on April 17, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. She is an actress and executive, known for Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), The Manchurian Candidate (2004) and John Q (2002). She was previously married to Maurice Oldham.

3. Tisha Campbell

Actress | Little Shop of Horrors

Tisha Michelle Campbell was born on October 13, 1968 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma & raised in Newark, New Jersey. Her first TV appearance was at the age of 8 on episode #006 of the PBS show, The Big Blue Marble (1974). The show featured stories on the life and culture of children from around the ...

4. Jasmine Guy

Actress | Harlem Nights

Actress-dancer-director Jasmine Guy has enjoyed a diverse career in television, theatre and film. She began her professional career at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Jasmine starred on Broadway in the original productions of Beehive and Leader of the Pack, and reprised hit...

5. Paulette Braxton

Actress | A Night at the Roxbury

Paulette Braxton was born on January 31, 1965 in Houston, Texas, USA. She is an actress, known for A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Homeboys in Outer Space (1996) and CSI: Miami (2002).

6. Zoe Saldana

Actress | Avatar

Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey, to Asalia Nazario and Aridio Saldaña. Her father was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. She was raised in Queens, New York. When she was 10 years old, she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic, where they would live for ...

7. LisaRaye McCoy

Actress | The Players Club

LisaRaye McCoy-Misick was born September 23, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. She is of African American and Native American descent and is proud of her heritage. She later attended Eastern Illinois University but she never really took the idea of a career in acting seriously until persuaded by an ...

8. Denyce Lawton

Actress | The Hot Zone

Multiethnic (African-American / Korean) actress Denyce Lawton is best known for her four seasons on the six-time NAACP Best Comedy Series Winner series House of Payne (2006) from producer Tyler Perry.

Denyce was born and raised in the New Jersey communities of Belmar and Neptune (familiar to viewers...

9. Lillias White

Actress | Hercules

Lillias White was born on July 21, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Hercules (1997), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and Hercules (1998).

10. Aaliyah

Soundtrack | Romeo Must Die

Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words described R&B singer-turned-actress Aaliyah perfectly.

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Diane (Hankerson) and Michael Haughton. Her uncle was music manager Barry Hankerson and her brother is director Rashad Haughton. Aaliyah was ...

11. Aasha Davis

Actress | Friday Night Lights

Aasha Davis was born in Alexandria, VA and grew up in several different areas around the world. She went to boarding school in Barbados when she was 7 years-old until she left several years later to attend school in Montreal, Canada. Aasha became an expert at switching schools during her second ...

12. Abbey Lincoln

Actress | Nothing But a Man

Abbey Lincoln was born on August 6, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She was an actress and composer, known for Nothing But a Man (1964), For Love of Ivy (1968) and Drugstore Cowboy (1989). She was married to Max Roach. She died on August 14, 2010 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.

13. Adele Givens

Actress | The Players Club

Adele Givens was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is known for The Players Club (1998), Beauty Shop (2005) and Martin (1992).

14. Adepero Oduye

Actress | 12 Years a Slave

Adepero Oduye hails from Brooklyn, New York City by way of Nigeria. She is a graduate of Cornell University; and has studied acting with Wynn Handman, Austin Pendleton, and Susan Batson. Her name is pronounced "Add-eh-pair-o Oh-due-yay."

Her theatre credits include Danai Gurira's play Eclipsed, at ...

15. Adjoa Andoh

Actress | Invictus

Adjoa Andoh was born on January 14, 1963 in Bristol, England, UK. She is an actress and writer, known for Invictus (2009), Bridgerton (2020) and Fractured (2019). She has been married to Howard Cunnell since March 2001. They have two children.

16. Adriana Alves

Actress | Celebridade

Adriana Alves was born on December 12, 1976 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. She is an actress, known for Celebrity (2003), O Último Voo do Flamingo (2010) and The Assailant (2009).

17. Adriana Lessa

Actress | O Clone

Adriana Lessa was born on February 1, 1971 in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. She is an actress, known for The Clone (2001), Rota 66: A Polícia que Mata (2022) and Capitalismo Selvagem (1993).

18. Adriane Lenox

Actress | Black Snake Moan

Adriane Lenox was born on September 11, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. She is an actress, known for Black Snake Moan (2006), The Blind Side (2009) and Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007).

19. Adrienne C. Moore

Actress | Orange Is the New Black

Adrienne C. Moore was born on August 14, 1980 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. She is an actress, known for Orange Is the New Black (2013), Shaft (2019) and Pretty Hard Cases (2021).

20. Aisha Dee

Actress | The Bold Type

Aisha Dee was born to a biracial family in Gold Coast, Australia. Her career began in 2008 when she got the role of Desi Biggins during Season 3 of "The Saddle Club". She is best friends with her former "Saddle Club" co-stars Victoria Campbell, Lauren Dixon, Ariel Kaplan, Connor Jessup, and Marny ...

21. Aisha Hinds

Actress | The Next Three Days

When Aisha Hinds' junior high school tap dance instructor observed that she needed an outlet for expression that surpassed her tap shoes, she was guided to the High School of Performing Arts in New York - where her formal acting training began.

Hinds' numerous television credits include a supporting...

22. Aisha Tyler

Actress | Archer

Aisha Tyler is an award-winning director, actor, comedian, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster and activist. She is an Emmy-winning television host and multiple award-winning voice actor for Archer (2009).

Aisha's feature directorial debut, Axis (2017), was shot in just seven days on ...

23. Ajita Wilson

Actress | Orinoco: Prigioniere del sesso

Ajita Wilson was a transsexual actress who started out as an entertainer in the red-light district of New York. Wilson had sex reassignment surgery in the mid-1970s. After the operation she started appearing in adult films in New York. Then she was discovered by a European hardcore film producer ...

24. Akosua Busia

Actress | The Color Purple

Akosua Busia was born on December 30, 1966 in Accra, Ghana. She is an actress and director, known for The Color Purple (1985), Tears of the Sun (2003) and Low Blow (1986). She was previously married to John Singleton.

25. Alexyz Danine Kemp

Costume_department | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

Alexyz Danine Kemp is known for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015), Black Panther (2018) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

26. Alfre Woodard

Actress | Star Trek: First Contact

Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. A former high school ...

27. Alicia Keys

Soundtrack | The Secret Life of Bees

Alicia Keys was born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, to Terria Joseph (née Teresa M. Augello), a paralegal who was also an occasional actress, and Craig Cook, a flight attendant. Her father is African-American and her mother, who is Caucasian, is of Italian and English/Irish/Scottish ancestry. Alicia...

28. Alicia Quarles

Actress | Top Five

Alicia Quarles was born on November 25, 1981 in San Bernardino, California, USA. She is an actress, known for Top Five (2014), E! News (1991) and True Crime Live (2019).

29. Aloma Wright

Actress | Scrubs

Aloma Wright was born on March 10, 1950 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Scrubs (2001), Mr. Deeds (2002) and The Brothers (2001).

30. Amanda Randolph

Actress | The Amos 'n Andy Show

Amanda Randolph was born on September 2, 1896 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She was an actress, known for The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951), The Danny Thomas Hour (1967) and The Danny Thomas Show (1953). She was married to Harry Hansberry. She died on August 24, 1967 in Duarte, California, USA.

31. Amanda Warren

Actress | The Leftovers

Amanda Warren was born on December 16, 1983 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for The Leftovers (2014), The Burial (2023) and Dickinson (2019).

32. Monica Raymund

Actress | Bros

Monica Raymund is best know for starring as Gabriela Dawson in NBC's drama "Chicago Fire."

A graduate of The Juilliard School, she is the recipient of the John Houseman Award for her commitment and dedication. Immediately following her graduation, she went on to star opposite Tim Roth for three ...

33. Amandla Stenberg

Actress | The Hunger Games

Named for the Zulu and Xhosa word for "power," Amandla was born in Los Angeles, California, to Karen Brailsford, a writer, and Tom Stenberg, a businessman. Her mother is African-American and her father is Danish (and of part Inuit-Greenlandic ancestry).

In the summer and fall of 2010, she shot her ...

34. Amaris Davidson

Actress | Insidious: Chapter 3

Amaris Davidson is known for Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015), Disaster Movie (2008) and NCIS (2003).

35. Amber Rose

Actress | School Dance

In September 2009, Rose announced plans to launch her own line of eye wear. She walked the runway at New York Fashion Week for "Celestino." She has said that being with Wiz Khalifa was the best decision she made after going through a rough relationship with ex-boyfriend Kanye West because he was ...

36. Amber Stevens West

Actress | 22 Jump Street

Stevens was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of actor and radio announcer Shadoe Stevens, and former model Beverly Cunningham. She has a younger sister named Chyna Stevens (Chyna Rose Stevens). She is a graduate of Beverly Hills High School. Her father is Caucasian (of Norwegian...

37. Amelia Fowler

Actress | Compliance

Amelia Fowler is known for Compliance (2012), The Many Saints of Newark (2021) and Monica Z (2013).

38. Anais Granofsky

Actress | Degrassi Junior High

Anais Granofsky was born on May 14, 1973 in Springfield, Ohio. She is an actress and director, known for Degrassi High (1987), Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001) and On Their Knees (2001).

39. Ananda Lewis

Actress | On the Line

Ananda Lewis was born on March 21, 1973 in San Diego, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for On the Line (2001), Method & Red (2004) and Nora's Hair Salon II (2008).

40. Andi Osho

Actress | Blue Lights

Andi was born in Stratford, East London and attended Sarah Bonnell Comprehensive School. She studied drama at Barking College of Technology where peers included Razaaq Adoti (Amistad (1997), Black Hawk Down (2001)), Sarah Webb, lead singer of acid jazz group D Influence and Idris Elba (Pacific Rim ...

41. Andrea Bordeaux

Actress | What Maisie Knew

Andrea Bordeaux was born on March 31, 1987 in Fort Hood, Texas. She is an actress, known for What Maisie Knew (2012), How to Make It in America (2010) and Run the World (2021).

42. Andrea Jones

Actress | 8 Days

Andrea Jones is known for 8 Days (2014).

43. Trina McGee

Actress | Daylight

Born in the Bronx, New York, Trina McGee is the eldest child to her classical pianist mother and her Haitian photographer/revolutionist father. Although her father was absent from the family unit, his political legacy continued to shape Trina's life. Exiled from Haiti in the 1960s for publishing ...

44. Andy Allo

Actress | Upload

Andy Allo is a Cameroon born singer and actress starring as the lead female, 'Nora', in Amazon Prime's critically acclaimed original series "Upload", opposite Robbie Amell. With the global love and praise from critics and fans, Greg Daniels' (The Office) series quickly got renewed for more seasons.

...

45. LoLa Monroe

Actress | Video Girl

LoLa Monroe was born on October 24, 1986 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is an actress, known for Video Girl (2011), Before I Self Destruct (2009) and Ragneron (2019).

46. Angela Bassett

Actress | Strange Days

Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a ...

47. Angela Means

Actress | Friday

Angela Means is an American Entrepreneur and former Actress, Model and Comedian. She began her career as a fashion model she walked the runways for Bill Blass and Bob Mackey. Her most known film role was as Felisha in the cult classic film Friday (1995), alongside Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. She has...

48. Angela Robinson

Actress | The Haves and the Have Nots

Angela Robinson was born on the historic East Side of Jacksonville, Florida and is a proud third-generation Florida A&M University alumna. Before moving to New York, she sang at supper clubs (Ponte Vedra Beach) and the USO (three tours: Far East, Middle East, and the Mediterranean). In New York, ...

49. Angela Robinson

Writer | D.E.B.S.

Angela Robinson was born on February 14, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for D.E.B.S. (2004), Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) and D.E.B.S. (2003). She is married to Alexandra Kondracke. They have one child.

50. Angela Robinson Witherspoon

Producer | Betye Saar: Ready to Be A Warrior

Angela started her acting journey when she was cast in her first speaking role opposite Eddie Murphy in "48 Hours," by producer Joel Silver. Walter Hill was the director and he subsequently cast Angela in another movie, "Crossroads", opposite Ralph Macchio.

In 1983, she traveled to Cuernavaca, ...

51. Angela Simmons

Actress | Supermodel

Angela Simmons was born on September 18, 1987 in Hollis, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. She is a producer and actress, known for Supermodel (2015), Angela Simmons Presents: Pressure Makes Diamonds (2019) and Bow Wow ft. Chris Brown & Johntá Austin: Shortie Like Mine (2006).

52. Angell Conwell

Actress | The Young and the Restless

Moving from Orangeburg, South Carolina to the states capital, Columbia at the age of 2, Angell Conwell began her journey in entertainment at a very young age. After winning numerous awards locally and in the surrounding states of Georgia and North Carolina, she signed with Wilhelmina's Kids Division...

53. Angelle Brooks

Actress | The Brothers

Angelle Brooks was born on August 11, 1967 in Miami, Florida, USA. She is an actress, known for The Brothers (2001), V.I.P. (1998) and Spider-Man (2003).

54. Anika Noni Rose

Actress | The Princess and the Frog

Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose recently finished filming the lead role of the pilot episode Beast Mode (TBS / Macro), which is based on life of legendary boxing trainer Ann Wolfe. Anika is also serving as Co-Executive Producer.

In 2018, Anika starred in the title role of 'Carmen Jones' in John ...

55. Anna Deavere Smith

Actress | The Human Stain

Anna Deavere Smith was born on September 18, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for The Human Stain (2003), The American President (1995) and Rachel Getting Married (2008).

56. Laverne Cox

Actress | Promising Young Woman

Laverne Cox is a three time Emmy-nominated actress, Emmy winning documentary film producer and a prominent equal rights advocate. Laverne's role of Sophia Burset in the critically acclaimed Netflix original series "Orange is The New Black" brought her to the attention of diverse audiences all over ...

57. Uzo Aduba

Actress | Orange Is the New Black

Aduba began earning recognition for her work in 2003, with a performance in "Translations of Xhosa" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that won her a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Play. Her Broadway debut was in 2007 as Toby in "Coram Boy". She was...

58. Alexandra Shipp

Actress | X-Men: Apocalypse

Alexandra Shipp is known for her role as the iconic mohawked super heroine 'Storm' in Twentieth Century Fox's X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), directed by Bryan Singer. Shipp plays a younger version of 'Storm' (originally played by Halle Berry). Determined to make the mutant character her own, she ...

59. Anna Maria Horsford

Actress | Minority Report

Anna Maria Horsford was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Her parents immigrated to the United States from the island nation Antigua & Barbuda, in the West Indies (then a British colony), during the 1940s. Anna grew up not really feeling American but not West Indian either, just somewhere in ...

60. Anne-Marie Fox

Actress | Les mémés cannibales

Anne-Marie Fox is known for Rabid Grannies (1988).

61. Anne-Marie Johnson

Actress | In the Heat of the Night

Anne-Marie Johnson was born on July 18, 1960 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for In the Heat of the Night (1988), Robot Jox (1989) and JAG (1995). She has been married to Martin Grey since January 1, 1996.

62. Annette Young

Actress | Kissing Strangers

Annette Young is known for Kissing Strangers (2010), Track Down and Truth or Dare the Play (2021).

63. Antonia Thomas

Actress | The Good Doctor

Antonia Thomas is an English actress. She is best known for her work in the TV series Misfits, Lovesick and the The Good Doctor.

She studied for a Bachelor of Arts in acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2009, and then joined the National Youth Theatre.

Her acting debut was in ...

64. Ariel D. King

Actress | American Crime Story

Ariel D King is an actress, model and singer who was born on the 4th of July in Riverdale, Illinois. Ariel was awarded the Hollywood Discovery Award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2010. She portrayed OJ Simpson's daughter Arnelle Simpson on American Crime Story, an anthology series centered around...

65. Ariel Meredith

Self | Kitten Bowl

Ariel Meredith was born on July 21, 1986 in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.

66. Cynthia Addai-Robinson

Actress | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Cynthia Addai-Robinson is an English-born actress. She was born in London; her mother is from Ghana and her father is an United States citizen. She moved to US when she was four, and was raised by her mother in a suburb of Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver ...

67. Stephanie Charles

Actress | The Paynes

Stephanie Charles is known for The Paynes (2018), Shameless (2011) and Ruthless (2020).

68. Suzzanne Douglas

Actress | School of Rock

Suzzanne Douglas is an award-winning actress of both screen and stage, whose work has led her through all walks of creative life. Driven by her desire to constantly grow as an artist, Suzzanne has developed a canon of enigmatic and complex roles, and hopes to encourage younger artists to do the ...

69. Porsche Thomas

Actress | Black Rapunzel

Porsche Thomas was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is of Jamaican and Trinidadian descent.

She resides in Los Angeles where she works as an actress, comedian and model.

She is the daughter of Real Housewives of Atlanta's Peter Thomas.

Attended Beverly Hills High School.

She's studied the ...

70. Porsche Thomas