CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 25: Viola Davis attends the Red Carpet of the closing ceremony at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2024 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)Photo by: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

Famous Black actors continue to change the status quo in Hollywood by the day. Some exciting young Black actors are still working their way toward success, playing outstanding roles in fresh new feature films, while there’s some talent that’s been on the scene for a while who are just now getting their flowers. Combined, these rising famous Black actors are stamping their legacy on cinema.

We’re going to look beyond the Mount Rushmore of famous Black American actors to cover some unique talent you’ve probably seen before but may have been wondering more about.

25 famous Black American actors and their most important roles

Here’s a star-studded list of 25 famous Black actors in Hollywood you should know.

#1 John David Washington

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: John David Washington attends the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 25, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

The son of Denzel Washington shows he’s made his own strides toward success without relying solely on the family name, thanks to his impressive talent. He was a record-breaking football player in college and later played in the NFL for two years. It was a few years after his football career ended that he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, continuing their legacy of famous Black male actors.

He technically got his first role at 8 years old — a single line in Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” — but Washington was 31 when he really started his acting career. He was a regular on the HBO show “Ballers,” though it wasn’t until 2017 that he was cast in his breakout role as Ron Stallworth in “BlacKkKlansman.” This earned him a nod from the Golden Globes, and he won the Breakout Star award from the IMDb STARmeter Awards.

#2 Tracee Ellis Ross

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Tracee Ellis Ross attends “American Fiction” New York screening at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on December 10, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images)

If you’ve ever watched the TV show “Girlfriends” then you know exactly who Tracee is. While playing the expressive and big-hearted lawyer Joan on the show, she was known for being a successful, trail-blazing professional by day, and the glue that holds their dynamic sister-friend circle together by night.

Tracee is the daughter of the legendary Diana Ross and it shows that her extraordinary talent runs in her DNA. After her long stint on “Girlfriends,” she became the star of the ABC show “Black-Ish” and was paid a whopping $200,000 per episode. Today she owns and operates the natural hair care line, PATTERN Beauty.

#3 Carl Weathers

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: Carl Weathers arrives at the premiere of Lucasfilm’s first-ever, live-action series, “The Mandalorian,” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. on November 13, 2019. “The Mandalorian” streams exclusively on Disney+. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Long live the great Carl Weathers. A legend in film and TV, he started out as a defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, where he played for two years. He played supporting roles in stereotypical films for years until eventually being cast as Apollo Creed in “Rocky,” which helped change the landscape of how Black actors can move around in Hollywood.

He went on to play the lead role in the hit TV show In the “Heat of the Night.” Weathers then continued to make waves in Hollywood with incredible performances in films such as “Predator” and “Happy Gilmore.”He was even the voice of Jax in “Mortal Kombat X.” His legacy in cinema and TV came to a climax as the director and guest actor on the Star Wars show “The Mandalorian” until he died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on Feb. 2, 2024.

#4 Halle Bailey

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Halle Bailey attends the Femme It Forward GRAMMY High Tea at Private Residence on February 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lila Seeley/Getty Images for ABA)

The Atlanta-born “Little Mermaid” star faced a lot of controversy around her role in the hit 2023 movie. People were so used to watching an image of a white little mermaid on repeat they couldn’t wrap their heads around a Black female actor giving the famous Disney character some flavor.

Beyonce’s mentee had to break the mold and change the status quo on how fictional movie characters can be cast and portrayed. Halle and her sister Chloe are also signed to Bey’s label, Parkwood Entertainment, as a singing duo.

#5 Leon Thomas III

Leon Thomas III, winner of the “Best R&B Song” award for “Snooze”, poses in the press room during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

A talented entertainer from a young age, Leon launched his career in 2003 as Simba in the Broadway adaptation of “The Lion King.” He went on to captivate audiences worldwide in theater until he got his first appearance on the big screen in “August Rush.”

He landed his breakout role on the Nickelodeon show “Victorious” in 2010 and has been a powerful force in entertainment ever since. A talented musician as well, today you can find Leon performing his original music around the world and writing songs for billboard-topping artists.

#6 Jordan Fisher

Jordan Fisher speaks onstage during Global Citizen NOW 2024 at Spring Studios on May 02, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Fisher is a multi-talented actor, singer and dancer known for his roles in “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” and “Rent: Live.” He’s a Disney Channel star all the way, playing in films such as “Teen Beach Movie” and winning “Dancing with the Stars” in 2017. His versatility extends all the way to Broadway, where he played John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in “Hamilton” and as Orpheus in “Hadestown.“

#7 Storm Reid

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: Storm Reid attends the premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ “Challengers” at Westwood Village Theater on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

As one of our younger Black famous female actors, Storm first rose to prominence for her breakout role as Meg Murry in “A Wrinkle in Time,” in spite of some backlash. She then went on to captivate audiences worldwide as a cinematic performer with her roles in the shows “Euphoria,” executive produced by Drake, and “The Invisible Man.”

Born in Atlanta in 2003, she is now one of the most sought-after young Black actors in Hollywood. She got a nod from the Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series for her part in “The Last of Us.”

#8 Mahershala Ali

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Mahershala Ali speaks onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Mahershala Ali is a two-time Oscar winner who is no stranger to the big screen. He’s celebrated for his powerful performance in “Moonlight” and was even recently cast alongside Julia Roberts in “Leave the World Behind.”

Ali’s illustrious career spans both television and film, with standout roles in “House of Cards,” and “Rue Detective.” If that’s not enough, he’s also been nominated for an Emmy for his narration in “Chimp Empire.”

#9 Trevante Rhodes

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 15: Trevante Rhodes attends Tyler Perry’s Mea Culpa Premiere at The Paris Theatre on February 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix)

Born Feb. 10, 1990, in Louisiana, Trevante skyrocketed to fame with his powerful portrayal of Chiron in the Academy Award-winning film “Moonlight.” Being a former track and football star at the University of Texas, he was set to become a landman in the petroleum industry, but after taking some theatre classes while in college, transitioned to acting.

His versatility shows in his ability to play roles that only a handful of actors in the world can achieve. Not just anyone can play Mike Tyson, and Trevante surely delivers in the Hulu series, “Mike.”

#10 Janelle Monáe

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: Janelle Monáe attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Not just a talented vocalist, Janelle, born Dec. 1, 1985, in Kansas City, Kansas, has made significant strides in acting, starring in acclaimed films such as “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures.” They came from humble beginnings, being the child of a custodian and a sanitation worker.

They also have a knack for horror films, starring in the chilling film “Antebellum.” When they’re not starring in award-winning films, you can catch them topping the billboard charts. 

#11 Jay Ellis

PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 21: Jay Ellis attends the “Sue Bird: In The Clutch” Premiere during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theatre on January 21, 2024 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Jay Ellis grew up in a military family and began his career in modeling with a Nike campaign before transitioning to acting. He’s best known for his role as Lawrence Walker in HBO’s “Insecure,” a performance that earned him the prestigious NAACP Image Award.

Ellis also starred in BET’s “The Game” and appeared in “Top Gun: Maverick” as Reuben “Payback” Fitch. Beyond acting, he is a philanthropist and advocate dedicated to social justice issues and HIV/AIDS awareness, serving as Board Secretary for the American Foundation for Aids Research.​ He is the author of “Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me?),” slated for a July 2024 release.

#12 Michael Ealy

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Actor Michael Ealy attends the premiere of Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt” at NeueHouse Hollywood on September 22, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)

Born Aug. 3, 1973, in the Washington, D.C. area., Ealy is known as a ladies’ man on and off screen. He gained fame with his breakout role in “Barbershop” and continued to captivate audiences in films like “Think Like a Man,” “About Last Night” and “Intruder.”

Aside from playing a determined cop in 50 Cent’s “Power,” Ealy also can be seen in music videos alongside Beyoncè and Mariah Carey.

#13 Amandla Stenberg

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 03: Amandla Stenberg attends Disney+ and The Cinema Society host a screening of “The Acolyte” at The Whitby Hotel on June 03, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

A dynamic force in Hollywood, Amandla Stenberg, born on October 23, 1998, in Los Angeles, rose to fame with her role as Rue in “The Hunger Games.” If you thought she was done taking popular franchises to new heights, she just made her childhood dreams by landing a leading role in a new Star Wars film — and she played the adapted score on her grandfather’s violin for a new Disney featurette. 

To see more of Amandla, you can watch her deliver powerful performances in “The Hate U Give” and “Everything, Everything.” Stenberg is also a DJ and an outspoken advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights. 

#14 LaKeith Stanfield

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: LaKeith Stanfield attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Sony Pictures’ “The Book Of Clarence” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)

After Googling “how to be an actor,” he manifested his dreams through pure hard work and determination. Through his valiant efforts, LaKeith was able to generate widespread recognition for his role as Marcus in “Short Term 12.” 

He continues to impress audiences with standout performances in “Selma,” “Get Out,” and “The Book of Clarence,” where he portrayed FBI informant William O’Neal. Stanfield also received the Gotham Independent Film Ensemble Tribute Award as part of the cast of “The Harder They Fall.“

#15 Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Kelvin Harrison Jr attends the UK Premiere of “CYRANO” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures & Universal Pictures )

Born on July 23, 1994, in New Orleans, Kelvin has made his mark as a promising actor in Hollywood due to his work in “Luce,” “Waves,” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” He is originally from a musical family, and although he would have been just as successful at music, he transitioned from music to pursue acting.  

And it was a great move as he was able to land roles alongside Ice Cube and Tracee Ellis Ross in “The High Note.” Of course, we can’t forget his impressive performance in “Chevalier,” which landed him the 2024 Rising Star Award from the American Black Film Festival.

#16 Algee Smith

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 25: Algee Smith attends BET+ “Young. Wild. Free.” Los Angeles Premiere at DGA Theater Complex on June 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET+)

Algee initially gained critical acclaim for his role as Ralph Tresvant in “The New Edition Story.” He then went on to further impress audiences with his powerful performances in “Detroit” and “The Hate U Give.” Algee also made a huge impression on viewers of “Euphoria,” as the show’s main character in the first season. 

#17 Sierra McClain

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 25: Sierra McClain at the 2017 BET Awards at Staples Center on June 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Born of a music producer father and singer mother, Sierra McClain is quite the talented entertainer herself. She grew up singing and playing piano like her big sister Lauryn, while her other sister, China, was more inclined toward acting. 

She emerged on the big screen in 2007 with her role as Sierra in Tyler Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girls.” Her big break came in 2016 when she landed the part of Nessa Parker on the hit TV show “Empire,” solidifying her position among famous Black actors. 

#18 Keke Palmer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Keke Palmer speaks onstage during the 28th Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for The Webby Awards)

There are some young Black actors who can truly do everything, and Keke Palmer is renowned for her versatile talents as an actress, singer and podcast host. She’s already made history in theatre, being the first Black Cinderella on Broadway, and film with her impressive perfromances in Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP” and Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Family Reunion.” She recently went viral for grilling Bobbi Althoff about being an industry plant. Her breakthrough came when she was cast in “Akeelah and the Bee,” winning half a dozen awards and has never stopped delivering compelling performances since.

#19 Ariana DeBose

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 16: Ariana DeBose attends the The 77th Annual Tony Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on June 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

This young, famous Black actor, trailblazer, singer and dancer rose to prominence with her role in the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton.” She went on to dazzle audiences as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” earning her an Academy Award. She then “flipped the script,” showing her versatility with the TV series “Schmigadoon!” and the Disney film “Wish.” 

#20 RJ Cyler

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: RJ Cyler attends a Special Screening and Q&A of THE BOOK OF CLARENCE at Pacific Design Center on December 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

A charismatic young Black actor known for his breakout role as Earl in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” RJ, born in Jacksonville, Florida, has captivated audiences with his incredible performances. His  versatility shows in his ability to play a father in “Rap Sh!t” as well as the biblical prophet Elijah in “The Book of Clarence.” He starred as Blue Ranger Billy Cranston in “Power Rangers” and portrayed Dan in the Netflix series “Sierra Burgess Is a Loser.” 

#21 Akira Akbar

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Akira Akbar attends the Premiere Of Peacock’s “Bel-Air” Season 2 at NeueHouse Hollywood on February 22, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Breaking into Hollywood playing Monica Rambeau in Captain Marvel at just 11 years old, Akira is making waves in both film and TV. She currently plays Ashley Banks in the Fresh Prince reboot, “Bel Air” She takes her responsibility to the historic role seriously but also sees it as a relevant role to today’s teens. She felt like the role had something current to say about the desire to fit in and still explore who you’re becoming.

Becoming a famous Black female actor at such a young age, she still feels a little awkward being noticed in public. While she loves her roles in front of the camera, she looks forward to trying out her hand at directing or other off-camera roles in storytelling someday soon.

#22 Marsai Martin

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Marsai Martin attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

With multiple NAACP and BET awards under her belt before even turning 18, Marsai is a force to be reckoned with and one of the most exciting young famous Black actors working in Hollywood. She’s been cast in multiple commercials since she was 5 years old and landed her breakout role in ABC’s “Black-ish.”

She came up with her own original film idea (“Little,” which came out in 2019 ) and even pitched it to executives at just ten years old. She was the youngest person to get a first-look deal with a studio. Marsai is one of those child prodigies you just can’t ignore, and she is set for many more promising moves in the future. She won a BET “Young Stars” award in 2022.

#23 Jay Pharoah

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 27: Jay Pharoah attends the 2024 NHL Awards at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on June 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Of course, we can’t forget the comedy pioneer who can perfectly impersonate the rap flows of Jay-Z, Eminem and Lil Wayne. The man did a whole press run rapping almost as well on radio stations as those he was mimicking.

Born in Chesapeake, VA, Jay got his start on “Saturday Night Live,” playing his favorite Black celebrities. In his audition, he wowed judges with his fascinating talent for mimicry and truth-telling humor. He went on to make a variety of film and TV guest appearances and recently began his 2024 comedy tour.

#24 Viola Davis

CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 25: Viola Davis attends the Red Carpet of the closing ceremony at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2024 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Breaking on to the scene in 2008 with her role in “Doubt,” Viola continues to wow audiences with the range of diverse characters she flawlessly embodies. She went on to earn an Emmy for her incredible performance in “How to Get Away With Murder.”

She was the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a TV series. She achieved EGOT status in 2023 when she won a Grammy for the audiobook version of her memoir, “Finding Me.”

#25 Sterling K. Brown

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 20: Sterling K. Brown attends the Premiere For Netflix’s “Atlas” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on May 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

This St. Louis native actor was stuck with extra work and guest appearances in film and TV until 2016, when he got his big break in “This Is Us,” where he won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor.

Many argue that he was killed off too soon in “Black Panther,” but this famous Black actor maximized his screen time and produced a memorable character nonetheless. He then went on to play in “The Predator” remake, “Frozen II,” and “American Fiction.” His most recent work is a sci-fi thriller on Netflix, “Atlas.”

Discover the latest news on the most famous Black actors

It’s not hard to find Black excellence in the history and future of television and cinema, from Black actors like the late Carl Weathers, whose decades-long careers made a lasting impact on Hollywood, to rising stars like Halle Bailey, who continue to prove there’s plenty of Black talent to go around. For more info on the hottest Black celebrities on the silver screen, check out our ongoing film and TV coverage.