African American Actors

1. Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope was born on July 9, 1992 in Orlando, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for The Inspection (2022), Hollywood (2020) and Pose (2018).

Henry Simmons was born in Stamford, Connecticut, one of three children to Aurelia, a school teacher, and Henry Simmons, Sr., an IRS agent. One of his sisters is his twin. Simmons earned a basketball scholarship at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. He graduated with a business degree and ...

3. Kevin Daniels

Actor | Not Another Church Movie

Kevin Daniels was born on December 9, 1976 in San Diego, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Not Another Church Movie (2024), Will Trent (2023) and Frasier (2023).

4. James Lesure

Actor | Las Vegas

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Lesure served in the Air Force Academy before attending the University of Southern California, where he received his bachelor's degree in theater. During his time at USC, he also studied abroad at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. While there, he ...

5. Jesse Williams

Actor | The Cabin in the Woods

Jesse Wesley Williams born August 5, 1981 is a former high school teacher and activist turned actor/director. He's best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC Television series Grey's Anatomy and his advocacy for the disenfranchised, highlighted by his internationally resonant ...

6. McKinley Freeman

Actor | End of Watch

McKinley Freeman was born on June 9, 1973 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for End of Watch (2012), Crosstown (2013) and Delta Farce (2007).

7. Benjamin Charles Watson

Actor | Designated Survivor

Born in Jamaica, Watson moved to Toronto with his family when he was 10 years old. He loved storytelling from an early age, and was drawn to the performers he saw in movies and on television.

Unlike a handful actors who get into the business when they are children, Watson chose to pursue an ...

8. Gary LeRoi Gray

Actor | Slappy and the Stinkers

Gary LeRoi Gray was born on February 12, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Slappy and the Stinkers (1998), Bring It on: All or Nothing (2006) and Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008).

9. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Actor | Farming

Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. He graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting. Fluent in several languages, including English, ...

10. Morris Chestnut

Actor | Kick-Ass 2

A tall, handsome, and versatile American actor, Morris Chestnut was born in Cerritos, California, to Shirley (Wynn) and Morris Chestnut, Sr. He first came to be recognized by moviegoers starring as Ricky in Boyz n the Hood (1991), a role where he played a high school running back using his football...

11. DeRon Horton

Actor | Dear White People

DeRon Horton was born in Texas and raised in Saudi Arabia. He is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he majored in Performing Arts. While attending school, he starred in the short film LIONS AND LAMBS. Horton landed his first leading role in the independent feature ...

12. Deron J. Powell

Actor | Widows

Deron J. Powell is known for Widows (2018), Chicago Med (2015) and Lovecraft Country (2020).

13. Malik Yoba

Actor | Cool Runnings

Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Cool Runnings (1993), New York Undercover (1994) and Cop Land (1997). He has been married to Cat Wilson since December 21, 2003. He was previously married to Trisha Mann.

14. Blair Underwood

Actor | Deep Impact

A true multi-hyphenate, Blair Underwood is enjoying success in film, television and theatre, as an actor, director and producer. Underwood recently returned to Broadway starring opposite David Alan Grier in the Pulitzer Prize winning drama "A Solider's Play" for director Kenny Leon and the ...

15. Shemar Moore

Actor | Criminal Minds

Shemar Franklin Moore (born April 20, 1970) is an American actor and former fashion model. His notable roles are that of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, Derek Morgan on CBS's Criminal Minds from 2005 to 2016, and as the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 ...

16. Darius McCrary

Actor | Family Matters

Darius McCrary is best known for his role as Eddie Winslow on the long-running television series "Family Matters". He began his career in Hollywood at the age of nine and has continued to provide performance excellence in multiple films, television, theater, and music projects.

McCrary has starred ...

17. Eka Darville

Actor | Jessica Jones

Eka Darville was born on April 11, 1989 in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. He is an actor, known for Jessica Jones (2015), Her Smell (2018) and The Sapphires (2012).

18. Eugene Byrd

Actor | Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid

Eugene Byrd was born on August 28, 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004), Sleepers (1996) and Dead Man (1995).

19. Columbus Short

Actor | The Losers

Born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 19, 1982, Columbus Keith Short, Jr., started entertaining at the age of three, by putting on shows for his folks' enjoyment. Whether impersonating relatives, dancing or just making people laugh, everyone sensed something special about the boy. Fortunately,...

20. Jason George

Actor | Fallen

Jason George was born on February 9, 1972 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Fallen (1998), Sunset Beach (1997) and Breaking In (2018). He has been married to Vandana Khanna since July 10, 1999. They have three children.

21. Shad Moss

Actor | The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Shad Gregory Moss was born on March 9, 1987 in Columbus, Ohio to Teresa Rena (Jones) and Alfonso Preston Moss. When Shad was five, he started his rap career using the nickname "Kid Gangsta." One year later, he took front stage during "The Chronic Tour" and impressed rapper Snoop Dogg, who later ...

22. Boris Kodjoe

Actor | Resident Evil: Retribution

Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe, better known as Boris Kodjoe, is a German actor known for his roles as Jason in the 2000 film Love & Basketball (2000), and the sports-courier agent Damon Carter on the Showtime drama series Soul Food (2000).

Kodjoe was born in Vienna, Austria, the ...

23. Romeo Miller

Actor | Honey

Romeo Miller was born on August 19, 1989 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Honey (2003), Romeo! (2003) and Scooby-Doo (2002).

24. Jamie Foxx

Actor | Collateral

Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer and comedian. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his work in the biographical film Ray (2004). The same year, he was nominated for the Academy...

25. Rob Brown

Actor | Finding Forrester

Rob Brown was born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn, New York. A natural who never studied acting and who had no professional acting experience, made his acting and motion picture debut in Finding Forrester (2000). Rob celebrated his 16th birthday just before the start of production. He is a ...

26. Mehcad Brooks

Actor | Desperate Housewives

From bringing dynamic characters to life on screen to producing and writing films, award winning actor Mehcad Brooks has become known in the entertainment industry for his raw and refined talent, charisma, and moving presence. This year, Mehcad can be seen starring as Jackson 'Jax' Briggs, a ...

27. Hosea Chanchez

Actor | The Game

Chanchez was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and spent the majority of his childhood in Atlanta. He was raised by a loving family who recognized his talents and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. From the moment he sang along to his grandmother's records, Chanchez displayed an inherent knack for ...

28. Corbin Bleu

Actor | High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Cobin Bleu was born Corbin Bleu Reivers on February 21, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York City, to Martha (Callari) and David Reivers, an actor. His mother is of Italian descent and his father is Jamaican.

Corbin began appearing in television commercials at the age two, for products such as Life cereal, ...

29. Shawn Wayans

Actor | White Chicks

Shawn Mathis Wayans is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Along with his brother Marlon Wayans, he wrote and starred in The WB's sitcom The Wayans Bros.(1995-1999) and in the comedy films Don't Be a Menace (1996), Scary Movie (2000), Scary Movie 2 (2001), White Chicks (2004), Little...

30. Jensen Atwood

Actor | The Wrong Housesitter

Jensen Atwood - played love interest to Oscar® Winner Halle Berry in Oprah Winfrey's Their Eyes Were Watching God, while working alongside the legendary and Academy Award® nominated Ruby Dee, as the unforgettable Johnny Taylor.

Historically Atwood, played a series regular in two groundbreaking ...

31. Isaiah Mustafa

Actor | It Chapter Two

Isaiah Mustafa was born on February 11, 1974 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He is an actor and director, known for It Chapter Two (2019), Boy Kills World (2023) and Cross (2024). He has been married to Lisa Mitchell since May 26, 2018.

32. Darryl Stephens

Actor | B Positive

Darryl Stephens was born on March 7, 1974 in Pasadena, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for B Positive (2020), From Zero to I Love You (2019) and Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008).

33. Omari Hardwick

Actor | Kick-Ass

Omari Latif Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Joyce (Johnson) and Clifford Hardwick III, and grew up in Decatur, GA. His parents gave him a name to set a precedent, "Omari" meaning "most high," and "Latif" meaning "gentle." He shares, "I in no way believe that I am the highest or most high...

34. Rockmond Dunbar

Actor | Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Rockmond Dunbar was born on January 11, 1973 in Berkeley, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Sons of Anarchy (2008) and The Family That Preys (2008). He has been married to Maya Dunbar since June 8, 2013. They have two children. He was previously ...

35. Duane Martin

Actor | Scream 2

Duane Martin is a triple threat in Hollywood and has proven himself as a true maverick with a career that expands beyond Hollywood. Not only do his good looks and impeccable comedic timing earn him respect in the acting arena, but he is an accomplished writer and producer.

Duane was last seen ...

36. Nick Cannon

Actor | Drumline

Nicholas Scott Cannon is an American television host, rapper, actor, and comedian. Cannon began in television as a teenager on "All That" before going on to host "The Nick Cannon Show", 'Wild 'n Out", 'America's Got Talent", 'Lip Sync Battle Shorties", and "The Masked Singer." He acted in the films...

37. Rick Fox

Actor | Shameless

Born in Toronto, Rick Fox moved to the Bahamas when he was very young. His father is Afro-Bahamian, and his mother, who is Canadian, is of Italian and Scottish descent. Rick went to Warsaw Indiana high school as an exchange student and played basketball there. A complaint was filed about his ...

38. Brandon Fobbs

Day Shift

Brandon Fobbs is known for Day Shift (2022), Unhinged (2020) and The Realest Audition Ever (2012).

39. Nate Parker

Actor | The Birth of a Nation

Nate Parker was born on November 18, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Birth of a Nation (2016), Arbitrage (2012) and Non-Stop (2014). He has been married to Sarah DiSanto since 2007. They have four children.

40. Texas Battle

Actor | Death Valley

As the song states, "The Stars at Night are big and bright ... Deep in the Heart of Texas!" That's what Texas Battle has: heart. A heart and desire for acting.

Texas stars in the feature, WRONG PLACE, opposite Bruce Willis and Ashley Greene, in the role of 'Captain East.' Other recent roles include ...

41. Idris Elba

Actor | Beasts of No Nation

An only child, Idrissa Akuna Elba was born and raised in London, England. His father, Winston, is from Sierra Leone and worked at Ford Dagenham; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and had a clerical duty. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped...

42. Tristan Mack Wilds

Actor | The Secret Life of Bees

Tristan Wilds was born in Staten Island, New York. In 2005, at the age of 15, Tristan made his television debut as AJ in the mini-series Miracle Boys. After that, he took his talents to a different venue and tried his hand in theater. He worked with Phylicia Rashad and the Roundabout Theater ...

43. Travis Winfrey

Director | Neville and Costello

Travis Winfrey was recently selected to attended The Sundance Directors Lab and is currently writing and producing Independent Films and Television projects.

He's appeared on numerous television shows in recent years, including "Pretty Little Liars", "Being Mary Jane", "Single Ladies", "Dexter," "...

44. Marlon Wayans

Actor | White Chicks

Marlon Wayans is an American actor, writer and comedian. He is known for playing Tyrone C. Love in Requiem for a Dream, Shorty Meeks from Scary Movie, Marcus Anthony Copeland II from White Chicks and Thunder from Marmaduke. He played Drake Winston/Robin in deleted scenes of Batman Returns and ...

45. Damon Wayans Jr.

Actor | Big Hero 6

Damon Wayans Jr. was born at his grandmother's home in Vermont, in November 1982, and was raised in Los Angeles. He is the son of Lisa Thorner and actor Damon Wayans.

He made his film debut at age 11 in the 1994 film "Blank Man" playing the role of young Kevin. Later, Damon pursued his early passion...

46. Lance Gross

Actor | House of Payne

Lance Gross was born on July 8, 1981 in Oakland, California, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for House of Payne (2006), Sleepy Hollow (2013) and Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013). He has been married to Rebecca Mamie Jefferson since May 23, 2015. They have two children.

47. Mel Jackson

Actor | Abduction of Jesse Bookman

Mel Jackson was born on October 13, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Abduction of Jesse Bookman (2008), Clinic (2023) and Little Richard (2000).

48. Michael Ealy

Actor | Barbershop

Known for his charming looks and deep personality, Michael Ealy blessed the movie screen with his role in Barbershop (2002). When he left Silver Spring, Maryland, with a degree in English, he headed off to New York. From there he performed in several stage productions, including the Off-Broadway ...

49. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman

Actor | American Horror Story

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (pronounced "beau-yer") is most recognizable for his portrayal of ambitious producer Jay in the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Lifetime series UNREAL, which will return for its third season February 26. That same day, Bowyer-Chapman will launch and host an episodic ...

50. Samuel L. Jackson

Actor | Pulp Fiction

Samuel L. Jackson is an American producer and highly prolific actor, having appeared in over 100 films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Shaft (2000), Formula 51 (2001), Black Snake Moan (2006), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005), ...

51. James Reynolds

Actor | Days of Our Lives

James Reynolds was born on August 10, 1946 in Oskaloosa, Kansas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Days of Our Lives (1965), Dying to Learn (2022) and Generations (1989). He has been married to Lissa Layng since December 21, 1986. They have two children. He was previously married to Laura...

52. D.B. Woodside

Actor | Lucifer

David Bryan Woodside (born July 25, 1969) is an American actor. He is best known for his television roles as the bass singer Melvin Franklin in The Temptations, Robin Wood in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Malcolm Franks in Single Ladies, Dr. Joseph Prestridge in Parenthood, the angel Amenadiel in ...

53. Mekhi Phifer

Actor | ER

Mekhi Phifer was born in Harlem, Manhattan, and was raised by his mother, Rhoda, a high school teacher. Phifer's acting career began when he auditioned at an open casting call for director Spike Lee's Clockers (1995) and was selected for the leading role. Working alongside Harvey Keitel and Delroy ...

54. Eddie Murphy

Actor | The Nutty Professor

Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillian Lynch (born: Lillian Laney), a telephone operator, and Charles Edward Murphy, a transit police officer who was also an amateur comedian and actor. After his father died, his mother married Vernon Lynch, a foreman at a ...

55. Tyler Perry

Writer | Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Perry was born and raised in New Orleans, to Willie Maxine (Campbell) and Emmitt Perry, Sr. His mother was a church-goer and took Perry along with her once a week. His father was a carpenter and they had a very strained and abusive relationship, which led Perry to suffer from depression as a ...

56. Hill Harper

Actor | CSI: NY

Hill Harper, an accomplished film, television and stage actor, stars in the hit CBS drama series, CSI: NY (2004). He portrays "Dr. Sheldon Hawkes", a reclusive coroner who walked away from a promising surgical career after the traumatic loss of two patients. This February, he will star in the HBO ...

57. Jason Weaver

Actor | The Jacksons: An American Dream

Born on July 18, 1979 in Chicago, Illinois, Jason Weaver has always been surrounded by the world of entertainment. His mother Kitty Haywood, a legendary studio singer, was a staple in his young life and encouraged his pursuit of singing as well as acting. In being surrounded by the some of the best...

58. Danny Glover

Actor | Lethal Weapon

Actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 35 years.

Glover was born in San Francisco, California, to Carrie (Hunley) and James Glover, postal workers who were also active in civil rights. Glover trained at the Black ...

59. Jesse L. Martin

Actor | Rent

Jesse Martin was born Jesse Lamont Watkins in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountain range. His mother, Virginia Price, was a college career counselor. His father, Jesse Reed Watkins, was a truck driver. His parents divorced when he was very young. His mother then moved his family to Buffalo, New York. He ...

60. Coby Bell

Actor | Burn Notice

Coby Bell was born on May 11, 1975 in Orange County, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Burn Notice (2007), Third Watch (1999) and The Gifted (2017). He has been married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell since June 9, 2001. They have four children.

61. Keith Hamilton Cobb

Actor | Andromeda

Keith Hamilton Cobb Graduated Sleepy Hollow High School and Westchester Community College. As well as New York University Tisch School of the Arts. He attended Circle in the Square Theatre School and Playwrights Horizons Theater School. His hobbies are writing, photography & renovating home. He ...

62. Terrence Howard

Actor | Crash

Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (née Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. He later began his acting career ...

63. Gbenga Akinnagbe

Actor | The Taking of Pelham 123

Olugbenga Enitan Temitope Akinnagbe is an American actor and writer, best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series The Wire and as Larry Brown on the HBO series The Deuce. Akinnagbe was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Yoruba Nigerian parents, and was raised in Silver Spring, ...

64. Glynn Turman

Actor | Super 8

New York City-bred actor Glynn Russell Turman, born on January 31, 1947, who enjoyed his first taste of success as a young teenager, originating the role of "Travis Younger" on Broadway in Lorraine Hansberry's landmark play "A Raisin in the Sun" in 1959 opposite Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia ...

65. Larenz Tate

Actor | Crash

Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. In 1984, Larenz and his family moved to California. It was while living in California that Larenz's parents got him and his brothers ...

66. Allen Payne

Actor | New Jack City

Allen Payne was born on July 7, 1968 in Harlem, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for New Jack City (1991), The Perfect Storm (2000) and Vampire in Brooklyn (1995).

67. Chris Rock

Actor | Top Five

Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of Rosalie (Tingman), a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped, and Julius Rock, a truck driver and newspaper deliveryman, whose own father was a preacher.

...

68. Tyler James Williams

Actor | Dear White People

Tyler James Williams is an American actor, most recognizable for having played the title character of the Chris Rock-inspired sitcom Everybody Hates Chris (2005) and songwriter Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel movie Let It Shine (2012). He became known for playing the lead role in the show ...

69. Flex Alexander

Actor | Snakes on a Plane

Flex Alexander was born on April 15, 1970 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Snakes on a Plane (2006), One on One (2001) and The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007). He has been married to Shanice since February 14, 2000. They have two children.

70. Trevor Jackson

Actor | Superfly

Trevor Jackson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He is an actor and director, known for SuperFly (2018), Grown-ish (2018) and Burning Sands (2017).

71. Robert Ri'chard

Actor | Coach Carter

Robert Ri'chard was born on January 7, 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Coach Carter (2005), House of Wax (2005) and One on One (2001).

72. Wesley Jonathan

Actor | What I Like About You

Born in Los Angeles, Jonathan spent four years living in Germany as a youth and still speaks some German. He first became interested in show business when his cousin Crystal brought him along on her acting auditions. At age nine, he asked his cousin to let him audition, and within six months got ...

73. Omar Gooding

Actor | Baby Boy

Gooding is best known for appearing in hit television shows such as Deadwood, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., Family Time, Barbershop, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Playmakers, Smart Guy, and Wild & Crazy Kids. On the big screen, he received critical acclaim for his role as ...

74. Christian Keyes

Actor | The Boys

Born July 24, 1975 in Detroit, MI but raised in Flint, MI, Christian got his start in the entertainment industry by appearing in stage plays having since graduated to television and film. Since his introduction as an actor he has added singer, author and producer to his resume. He describes his ...

75. Charles Michael Davis

Actor | The Originals

Charles Michael Davis is an American actor, director, model and photographer from Dayton, Ohio.. He was born on December 1st, 1984 to an African American father and Filipino mother. Charles got his start with the talent agency Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ (AMTC). As an actor, he is best ...

76. Paul Taylor

Actor | Christmas with the Kranks

Originally from Columbia, Missouri Paul attended Northeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Following college, Taylor spent time in Los Angeles acting primarily in primetime episodic and sitcom television. During which time, he used his college athletics ...

77. Romany Malco

Actor | Weeds

The first US-born member of his West Indian family, Brooklyn-bred Romany Malco began his career at the age of seven, when he picked up a microphone and started rapping. As a teen he moved to Texas and formed the rap group R.M.G., and upon relocating to Los Angeles, the crew signed a deal to Virgin ...

78. T.K. Carter

Actor | The Thing

T.K. Carter was raised just east of Los Angeles, California. He began his stand-up routine at age 12, and, by high school, appeared in Neil Simon's production of "The Odd Couple." He began his professional stand-up routine at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and has also worked at the Improvisation ...

79. Terrence 'T.C.' Carson

Actor | Final Destination 2

T.C. Carson was born and raised in Chicago. He was always encouraged by his family to pursue his dream of becoming a professional performer. He started by performing in many plays and musicals such as "The Wiz", "Dreamgirls" and "Ain't Misbehavin". His stage work earned him awards and credit.

80. Elijah Kelley

Actor | Hairspray

Elijah Kelley was born on August 1, 1986 in LaGrange, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Hairspray (2007), Strange Magic (2015) and The Butler (2013).

81. Henderson Wade

Actor | Extant

Henderson Wade is a proud native of Washington, DC and graduate of Syracuse University. Next he can be seen regularly as "Matt Cable" on DC Universe's "Swamp Thing" and most recently he appeared as "Hunter" on ABC's "A Million Little Things". His other credits include "Riverdale" (The CW), "The ...

82. Neil Brown Jr.

Actor | SEAL Team

Born in a rough neighborhood to strict, but loving parents. Neil Brown, Jr, who was a gifted martial artist and self proclaimed "knucklehead ", received his first role in film purely by chance, when a producer Patty Thomas Robinson walked into his karate Dojo looking for a kid to be in the TV ...

83. Mike Colter

Actor | Luke Cage

Mike was born to Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Lee Colter Sr. He attended Benedict College where he was mentored and groomed his drama professor Scott Blanks. After transferring to the University of South Carolina where he attained a B.A. degree in theater, Mike went on to study at Mason Gross School of the ...

84. Donald Glover

Actor | Solo: A Star Wars Story

The multi-talented Donald Glover is a writer, actor, musician, comedian, producer and director, who performs under the stage names Childish Gambino and mcDJ. He was born Donald McKinley Glover at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and was raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His mother, Beverly (...

85. Billy Brown

Actor | The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Billy Brown was born on October 30, 1971 in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Star Trek (2009) and Cloverfield (2008).

86. Dulé Hill

Actor | Psych

Dulé Hill can currently be seen starring as the patriarch Bill Williams in ABC's re-imagining of "The Wonder Years". Inspired by the beloved award-winning series of the same name, the Peabody Award winning, "The Wonder Years" is a coming-of-age story set in the late 1960s that takes a nostalgic ...

87. Russell Hornsby

Actor | The Hate U Give

Russell Hornsby was born on May 15, 1974 in San Francisco, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for The Hate U Give (2018), Fences (2016) and Meet the Parents (2000). He has been married to Denise Walker since August 1, 2008.

88. Lamman Rucker

Actor | Why Did I Get Married?

Born in Pittsburgh, his mother had a dance company (the Pittsburgh Black Theater Dance Ensemble) and his father was a drummer, so entertaining is in his blood. His first acting role was as Martin Luther King in the 4th grade. He was in the drama club in 7th grade and then attended high school at ...

89. Terry Crews

Actor | Idiocracy

Terry Crews was born in Flint, Michigan, to Patricia and Terry Crews Sr. He earned an art excellence scholarship to attend Western Michigan University and also earned a full-ride athletic scholarship to play football. Crews was an All-Conference defensive end, and was a major contributor on the ...

90. Aldis Hodge

Actor | Black Adam

Aldis Hodge is a SAG Award-winning actor, who has built a dynamic career as a versatile performer shining in roles in both film and television. Hodge is perhaps best known for his role as Noah in the WGN hit series Underground (2016), starring alongside Jurnee Smollett and Christopher Meloni. ...

91. Corey Reynolds

Actor | The Closer

Corey Reynolds played Detective Sgt. David Gabriel opposite Emmy Award winning actress Kyra Sedgwick on TNT's The Closer (2005), the highest-rated show in cable television history. His performance on the show garnered him three SAG Award nominations and a NAMIC Vision Award nomination.

Reynolds made...

92. Keenen Ivory Wayans

Writer | White Chicks

The trail-blazing linchpin of a sprawling family dynasty of comic entertainers, it was multi-talented writer/director/producer Keenen Ivory Wayans (born June 8, 1958, in New York City) who led the familial pack and was the first to achieve national prominence when he successfully created, launched,...

93. Eddie Griffin

Actor | Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

Eddie Griffin was born on July 15, 1968 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), John Q (2002) and Norbit (2007).

94. Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Actor | The Cosby Show

Emmy-nominated actor and director Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.

Warner first rose to national prominence by starring on the celebrated and long-running classic television series "The Cosby Show." His ...

95. Sean Patrick Thomas

Actor | Till

Sean Patrick Thomas' extensive body of work includes the critically acclaimed features Chinonye Chukwu's "Till", Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth" with Denzel Washington, and Darren Aronofsky's "The Fountain" with Hugh Jackman. Among countless other memorable films such as the iconic "Cruel ...

96. Anthony Montgomery

Actor | Enterprise

Anthony Montgomery was born on June 2, 1971 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Star Trek: Enterprise (2001), General Hospital (1963) and The Family Business (2018). He was previously married to Adrienne.

97. Chosen Jacobs

Actor | It

Chosen Jacobs is definitely a rising star! Although new to Hollywood, he has always been able to entertain a crowd.

Chosen Jacobs is best known for his role as Mike Hanlon in the box office hit film, "IT Chapter One" and "IT Chapter Two". He has a recurring role on the hit CBS show "Hawaii Five-0," ...

98. Donn Swaby

Actor | Passions

Donn Swaby is an American actor, born on August 20th, 1973 and raised in Queens, New York by Donald Sr. and Nesline Swaby, both immigrants from the island of Jamaica.

Donn attended Boston University's School of Theatre Arts. Whileat B.U., Donn began his professional career at the encouragement of ...

99. Terrell Owens

Actor | Any Given Sunday

Terrell Owens was born on December 7, 1973 in Alexander City, Alabama, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Any Given Sunday (1999), Dysfunctional Friends (2012) and Lap Dance (2014). He has been married to Rachel Snider since January 23, 2014.

100. Alfonso Ribeiro

Actor | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Alfonso Ribeiro was born in New York on September 21, 1971. Alfonso's family is from Trinidad & Tobago. Although rumor has been that he is of Dominican descent, he has stated in an interview that this is false. Neither he nor his family are from the Dominican Republic; they originate from Trinidad ...