List of African-American actors
This is a list of African-American actors by birth order.
To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is African American and a notable actor. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year.
1800s
- Ira Aldridge – 1807
1860s
- Ernest Hogan – 1865
- Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones (also known as The Black Patti) – 1868
- George H. Reed – 1866
- Bob Cole – 1868
1870s
- George Walker – 1873
- Bert Williams – 1874
- John Larkin – 1877
- Bill Robinson – 1878
- Jesse Graves – 1879
1880s
- Noble Johnson – 1881
- Clinton Rosemond – 1881
- Frank H. Wilson – 1885
- Sam McDaniel – 1886
- Dooley Wilson – 1886
- Spencer Bell – 1887
- Tim Moore – 1887
- Clarence Muse – 1889
1890s
- Charles R. Moore – 1893
- Ernest Whitman – 1893
- Spencer Williams – 1893
- Rex Ingram – 1895
- Hattie McDaniel – 1895
- Bill Walker – 1896
- Ethel Waters – 1896
- Johnny Lee – 1898
- Paul Robeson – 1898
- Lillian Randolph – 1898
- Blue Washington – 1898
- Oscar Polk – 1899
1900s
- Ruby Dandridge – 1900
- Adelaide Hall – 1901
- Jester Hairston – 1901
- Louise Beavers – 1902
- Everett Brown – 1902
- Stepin Fetchit – 1902
- Mantan Moreland – 1902
- Fredi Washington – 1903
- James Baskett – 1904
- Pigmeat Markham – 1904
- Eddie Anderson – 1905
- Frederick O'Neal – 1905
- Dudley Dickerson – 1906
- Ernestine Wade – 1906
- Fred Toones – 1906
- Victoria Spivey – 1906
- Alvin Childress – 1907
- Cab Calloway – 1907
- Canada Lee – 1907
- Louis Jordan – 1908
- Helen Martin – 1909
1910s
- Nick Stewart (also known as Nicodemus or Nick O'Demus) – 1910
- Scatman Crothers – 1910
- Napoleon Whiting – 1910
- Muriel Rahn – 1911
- Rosetta LeNoire – 1911
- Nina Mae McKinney – 1912
- Roy Glenn – 1914
- Woody Strode – 1914
- Juanita Moore – 1914
- Willie Best (also known as Sleep 'n' Eat) – 1916
- Ossie Davis – 1917
- Lena Horne – 1917
- Davis Roberts – 1917
- Isabel Sanford – 1917
- James Edwards – 1918
- Nipsey Russell – 1918
- Nat 'King' Cole – 1919
1920s
- Allen "Farina" Hoskins – 1920
- LaWanda Page – 1920
- Esther Rolle – 1920
- Dorothy Dandridge – 1922
- Redd Foxx – 1922
- Roscoe Lee Browne – 1922
- Muriel Smith – 1923
- Ruby Dee – 1924
- Cicely Tyson – 1924
- Matthew "Stymie" Beard – 1925
- Sammy Davis Jr. – 1925
- Harry Belafonte – 1927
- Rupert Crosse – 1927
- Robert Guillaume – 1927
- Brock Peters – 1927
- Sidney Poitier – 1927
- Eartha Kitt – 1927
- Maya Angelou – 1928
- Moses Gunn – 1929
- Roxie Roker – 1929
1930s
- Abbey Lincoln – 1930
- James Earl Jones – 1931
- Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas – 1931
- Ivan Dixon – 1931
- Marla Gibbs – 1931
- Carl Gordon – 1932
- Nichelle Nichols – 1932
- Melvin Van Peebles – 1932
- Godfrey Cambridge – 1933
- Greg Morris – 1933
- Flip Wilson – 1933
- Wilbert "Bill" Cobbs – 1934
- Diahann Carroll – 1935
- Louis Gossett Jr. – 1936
- Bill Cosby – 1937
- Morgan Freeman – 1937
- Billy Dee Williams – 1937
- Sherman Hemsley – 1938
- Madge Sinclair – 1938
- Fred Williamson – 1938
- John Amos – 1939
- Cleavon Little – 1939
- Clarence Williams III – 1939
- Yaphet Kotto – 1939
- Paul Winfield – 1939
1940s
- Richard Pryor – 1940
- John Witherspoon – 1942
- Isaac Hayes – 1942
- Richard Roundtree – 1942
- Leslie Uggams – 1943
- Georg Stanford Brown – 1943
- Margaret Avery – 1944
- Patti LaBelle – 1944
- Diana Ross – 1944
- Ja'net Dubois – 1945
- Charlie Robinson – 1945
- James Avery – 1945
- Ernie Hudson – 1945
- Melba Moore – 1945
- Danny Glover – 1946
- Gregory Hines – 1946
- Ben Vereen – 1946
- Demond Wilson – 1946
- Glynn Turman – 1947
- Joe Morton – 1947
- Jimmie Walker – 1947
- Grace Jones – 1948
- Phylicia Rashad – 1948
- Avery Brooks – 1948
- Samuel L. Jackson – 1948
- Lynne Thigpen – 1948
- Nell Carter – 1948
- Pam Grier – 1949
- Frankie Faison – 1949
- Kene Holliday – 1949
- Loretta Devine – 1949
1950s
- Howard E. Rollins Jr. – 1950
- Dorian Harewood – 1950
- Debbie Allen – 1950
- Jo Marie Payton – 1950
- Obba Babatundé – 1951
- Alfre Woodard – 1952
- Delroy Lindo – 1952
- Reginald VelJohnson – 1952
- Michael Dorn – 1952
- Tom Wright – 1952
- Clarke Peters – 1952
- S. Epatha Merkerson – 1952
- Lynn Whitfield – 1953
- Oprah Winfrey – 1954
- Marsha Warfield – 1954
- Dennis Haysbert – 1954
- James Pickens Jr. – 1954
- Tony Todd – 1954
- Robert Gossett – 1954
- Denzel Washington – 1954
- David Alan Grier – 1955
- Roger Guenveur Smith – 1955
- Whoopi Goldberg – 1955
- Clarence Gilyard – 1955
- Clifton Powell – 1956
- Keith David – 1956
- Arsenio Hall – 1956
- Khandi Alexander – 1957
- Robert Townsend – 1957
- Levar Burton – 1957
- Bernie Mac – 1957
- Steve Harvey – 1957
- Spike Lee – 1957
- Mario Van Peebles – 1957
- Michael Clarke Duncan – 1957
- Mykelti Williamson – 1957
- Jenifer Lewis – 1957
- Suzzanne Douglas – 1957
- Michael Jackson – 1958
- Angela Bassett – 1958
- Reg E. Cathey – 1958
- Giancarlo Esposito – 1958
- Keenen Ivory Wayans – 1958
- Tom Lister Jr. – 1958
- Tony Cox – 1958
- Ice-T – 1958
- Terrence C. Carson – 1958
- Prince – 1958
- Tamara Tunie – 1959
- Victoria Rowell – 1959
- Charlie Murphy – 1959
- Irene Cara – 1959
1960s
- Courtney B. Vance – 1960
- Anne-Marie Johnson – 1960
- Damon Wayans – 1960
- Rusty Cundieff – 1960
- John Henton – 1960
- Larry Wilmore – 1961
- Mark Curry – 1961
- Chandra Currelley-Young – 1961
- Eddie Murphy – 1961
- Forest Whitaker – 1961
- Laurence Fishburne – 1961
- Dawnn Lewis – 1961
- Kim Wayans – 1961
- Kym Whitley – 1961
- Tim Meadows – 1961
- Lance Reddick – 1962
- T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh – 1962
- Leon Robinson (usually credited as simply Leon) – 1962
- Kim Coles – 1962
- Eriq La Salle – 1962
- Wesley Snipes – 1962
- Jasmine Guy – 1962
- Richard Brooks – 1962
- Tommy Davidson – 1963
- Michael Beach – 1963
- Wendell Pierce – 1963
- Whitney Houston – 1963
- Isaiah Washington – 1963
- Vanessa L. Williams – 1963
- Vanessa A. Williams – 1963
- Darryl M. Bell – 1963
- Harold Perrineau – 1963
- Jennifer Beals – 1963
- D.L. Hughley – 1963
- Lela Rochon – 1964
- Harry Lennix – 1964
- Vivica A. Fox – 1964
- Lenny Kravitz – 1964
- Wanda Sykes – 1964
- Cedric the Entertainer – 1964
- Holly Robinson Peete – 1964
- Blair Underwood – 1964
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr. – 1964
- J. B. Smoove – 1965
- Viola Davis – 1965
- K. Todd Freeman – 1965
- Chris Rock – 1965
- Martin Lawrence – 1965
- Jeffrey Wright – 1965
- Kadeem Hardison – 1965
- Steve Harris – 1965
- Todd Bridges – 1965
- The Lady of Rage – 1966
- Gina Ravera – 1966
- Janet Jackson – 1966
- Hill Harper – 1966
- Kristoff St. John – 1966
- Gary Anthony Williams – 1966
- Gary Dourdan – 1966
- Halle Berry – 1966
- Shanésia Davis-Williams – 1966
- Karyn Parsons-Rockwell – 1966
- Rachel True – 1966
- Michael Kenneth Williams – 1966
- David Mann – 1966
- Tamela Mann – 1966
- Jeffrey D. Sams – 1966
- Toni Braxton – 1967
- Stacey Dash – 1967
- Sherri Shepherd – 1967
- Leslie Jones – 1967
- Michael Jai White – 1967
- Lisa Bonet – 1967
- Salli Richardson – 1967
- Mo'Nique – 1967
- Jamie Foxx – 1967
- Seth Gilliam – 1968
- Tisha Campbell-Martin – 1968
- Allen Payne – 1968
- Matthew St. Patrick – 1968
- Cuba Gooding Jr. – 1968
- Orlando Jones – 1968
- Eddie Griffin – 1968
- Terry Crews – 1968
- Phill Lewis – 1968
- Will Smith – 1968
- Tracy Morgan – 1968
- LL Cool J – 1968
- Gary Coleman – 1968
- Andre Royo – 1968
- Kimberly Brooks - 1968
- Paula Jai Parker – 1969
- Jesse L. Martin – 1969
- Erika Alexander – 1969
- Morris Chestnut – 1969
- Ice Cube – 1969
- Terrence Howard – 1969
- Tyler Perry – 1969
- Gina Torres – 1969
- Chandra Wilson – 1969
- D.B. Woodside – 1969
- Dondre Whitfield – 1969
- Reginald C. Hayes – 1969
- Tichina Arnold – 1969
- Wood Harris – 1969
- Kim Fields – 1969
- Aunjanue Ellis – 1969
1970s
- Queen Latifah – 1970
- Cress Williams – 1970
- Aisha Tyler – 1970
- Octavia Spencer – 1970
- Anthony Anderson – 1970
- Shemar Moore – 1970
- Mariah Carey – 1970
- Taraji P. Henson – 1970
- Audra McDonald – 1970
- Stephen Bishop – 1970
- Henry Simmons – 1970
- Nicole Ari Parker – 1970
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner – 1970
- Mike Epps – 1970
- Golden Brooks – 1970
- Regina Hall – 1970
- Niecy Nash – 1970
- DMX – 1970
- Method Man – 1971
- Erykah Badu – 1971
- Tasha Smith – 1971
- Rozonda Thomas – 1971
- Lamman Rucker – 1971
- Taye Diggs – 1971
- Regina King – 1971
- Sanaa Lathan – 1971
- Jada Pinkett Smith – 1971
- Chris Tucker – 1971
- Shawn Wayans – 1971
- Katt Williams – 1971
- Tupac Shakur – 1971
- Keegan-Michael Key – 1971
- Richard T. Jones – 1972
- Darrin Henson – 1972
- Common – 1972
- Maya Rudolph – 1972
- Jill Scott – 1972
- Sharon Leal – 1972
- Essence Atkins – 1972
- Wayne Brady – 1972
- Leonard Roberts – 1972
- Anika Noni Rose – 1972
- Marlon Wayans – 1972
- Gabrielle Union – 1972
- Deon Cole – 1972
- Tracee Ellis Ross – 1972
- Omar Epps – 1973
- Rockmond Dunbar – 1973
- Yasiin Bey – 1973
- Dave Chappelle – 1973
- Michael Ealy – 1973
- Keesha Sharp – 1973
- Lark Voorhies – 1973
- Mahershala Ali – 1974
- Donald Faison – 1974
- Russell Hornsby – 1974
- Tamala Jones – 1974
- Mekhi Phifer – 1974
- Derek Luke – 1974
- Joy Bryant – 1974
- Omari Hardwick – 1974
- Chad L. Coleman – 1974
- De'Aundre Bonds – 1974
- Brian White – 1975
- Lauryn Hill – 1975
- Aisha Hinds – 1975
- Malinda Williams – 1975
- 50 Cent – 1975
- Tory Kittles – 1975
- Sharif Atkins – 1975
- Paula Patton – 1975
- Larenz Tate – 1975
- Jill Marie Jones – 1975
- Andre Benjamin – 1975
- Sterling K. Brown – 1976
- Kellie Shanygne Williams – 1976
- Jaleel White – 1976
- Rashida Jones – 1976
- Rochelle Aytes – 1976
- Omar Gooding – 1976
- Pooch Hall – 1976
- Mike Colter – 1976
- Chadwick Boseman – 1977
- Erica Ash – 1977
- Kerry Washington – 1977
- Chris Bridges – 1977
- RonReaco Lee – 1977
- Wesley Jonathan – 1978
- Tyrese Gibson – 1978
- Kenan Thompson – 1978
- Omar Benson Miller – 1978
- Nelsan Ellis – 1978
- Anthony Mackie – 1978
- Danai Gurira – 1978
- Aaliyah – 1979
- Lil Rel Howery – 1979
- Jason Weaver – 1979
- Kevin Hart – 1979
- Nate Parker – 1979
- Keshia Knight Pulliam – 1979
- Andre Holland – 1979
- Brandy Norwood – 1979
- Tituss Burgess – 1979
- Jordan Peele – 1979
- Cory Hardrict – 1979
- Rutina Wesley – 1979
- Tiffany Haddish – 1979
1980s
- Mehcad Brooks – 1980
- Malcolm Barrett – 1980
- Nick Cannon – 1980
- Lamorne Morris – 1980
- Neil Brown Jr. – 1980
- William Jackson Harper – 1980
- Marques Houston – 1981
- Jennifer Hudson – 1981
- Alicia Keys – 1981
- Meghan Markle – 1981
- Beyoncé Knowles – 1981
- Jesse Williams – 1981
- Lance Gross – 1981
- Hosea Chanchez – 1981
- Daveed Diggs – 1982
- Damon Wayans Jr. – 1982
- Columbus Short – 1982
- Terrence Jenkins – 1982
- Ron Funches – 1982
- Jussie Smollett – 1982
- Donald Glover – 1983
- Brian Tyree Henry – 1983
- Gabourey Sidibe – 1983
- Trai Byers – 1983
- Robert Ri'chard – 1983
- Arjay Smith – 1983
- Tessa Thompson – 1983
- J. Lee – 1984
- Lauren London – 1984
- DeVaughn Nixon – 1984
- Rob Brown – 1984
- Xosha Roquemore – 1984
- Alphonso McAuley – 1984
- Brandon T. Jackson – 1984
- Scott Mescudi – 1984
- Charles Michael Davis – 1984
- Naturi Naughton – 1984
- Lee Thompson Young – 1984
- Dewanda Wise – 1984
- Lena Waithe – 1984
- Sonequa Martin-Green – 1985
- Janelle Monáe – 1985
- Edwin Hodge – 1985
- Raven-Symoné – 1985
- Aja Naomi King – 1985
- Jon Michael Hill – 1985
- Giovonnie Samuels – 1985
- Nicole Beharie – 1985
- Collins Pennie – 1985
- Bryton James – 1986
- Sasheer Zamata – 1986
- Aldis Hodge – 1986
- Elijah Kelley – 1986
- Condola Rashad – 1986
- Jurnee Smollett-Bell – 1986
- Marcus T. Paulk – 1986
- Amber Stevens West – 1986
- Samira Wiley – 1987
- Michael B. Jordan – 1987
- Jerrod Carmichael – 1987
- Jermaine Fowler – 1987
- Jay Pharoah – 1987
- Shad Moss – 1987
- Jason Mitchell – 1987
- Naya Rivera – 1987
- Teyonah Parris – 1987
- Christel Khalil – 1987
- Evan Ross – 1988
- Zoe Kravitz – 1988
- Jordin Sparks – 1989
- Tristan Wilds – 1989
- Danielle Brooks – 1989
- Logan Browning – 1989
- Nafessa Williams – 1989
1990s
- Christopher Massey – 1990
- Jordan Calloway – 1990
- Marc John Jefferies – 1990
- Lakeith Stanfield – 1991
- Kyle Massey – 1991
- Tyler James Williams – 1992
- Jude Demorest – 1992
- Doc Shaw – 1992
- Tequan Richmond – 1992
- Rhyon Nicole Brown – 1992
- Keith Powers – 1992
- Paige Hurd – 1992
- Raven Goodwin – 1992
- Leon Thomas III – 1993
- Keke Palmer – 1993
- Bryshere Y. Gray – 1993
- Zendaya – 1996
- Ajiona Alexus – 1996
- Teala Dunn – 1996
- Dee Dee Davis – 1996
- Trevor Jackson – 1996
- Jacob Latimore – 1996
- Bobbe J. Thompson – 1996
- Jamia Simone Nash – 1996
- Cymphonique Miller – 1996
- Brittany O'Grady – 1996
- Tyrel Jackson Williams – 1997
- Jaden Smith – 1998
- China Anne McClain – 1998
- Amandla Stenberg – 1998
- Madison Pettis – 1998
2000s
- Yara Shahidi – 2000
- Willow Smith – 2000
- Caleb McLaughlin – 2001
- Tylen Jacob Williams – 2001
- Skai Jackson – 2002
- Quvenzhané Wallis – 2003
- Marsai Martin – 2004
- Trinitee Stokes – 2006
