Bestselling Black Actors
Over 10.5K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of African American Actors in Film
From any era and genre, these are the greatest African American actors in film history, ranked by the community to determine who is the best African American actor of all time. These top Black actors are the best of the best and many are also among the best living actors today. From those who have portrayed classic Black characters, to award winning actors, only the best African American male actors are on this list.
Who are the greatest African American actors in film? Including Oscar winners, like Denzel Washington, classic actors, like Sidney Poitier, and movie stars, like Will Smith, each of the famous Black actors on this list has earned his place with an excellent body of work and memorable performances. Some African American comedians and rappers are also on this list, having found success in a movie, or two.
From young to old, the popular Black male actors that are featured on this list include some of the best actors of all time including, Morgan Freeman, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Ossie Davis, Forest Whitaker, Danny Glover, and Eddie Murphy. Of course, you’ll also find young Black actors who’ve recently risen to the top, like John David Washington, Chadwick Boseman, LaKeith Stanfield, and Donald Glover. Is the African American actor you think is best not on the list? Add him to make a truly comprehensive list to determine the best African American leading Hollywood men. Latest additions: Daniel Kaluuya, Edwin Hodge, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Denzel Washington
Will Smith
Sidney Poitier 1927–2022
Eddie Murphy
Samuel L. Jackson
Danny Glover
Jamie Foxx
Forest Whitaker
Terrence Howard
Laurence Fishburne
Morgan Freeman
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Ving Rhames
Michael B. Jordan
Wesley Snipes
Don Cheadle
Jeffrey Wright
Ice Cube
James Earl Jones
Martin Lawrence
Ossie Davis 1917–2005
Morris Chestnut
Bernie Mac 1957–2008
Richard Pryor 1940–2005
Anthony Mackie
Billy Dee Williams
Michael Clarke Duncan 1957–2012
Tyler Perry
Louis Gossett Jr.
Djimon Hounsou
Omar Epps
Giancarlo Esposito
Boris Kodjoe
Taye Diggs
Larenz Tate
Keith David
John Amos
Chadwick Boseman 1976–2020
Wood Harris
Blair Underwood
Arsenio Hall
Charles S. Dutton
Terry Crews
Tyrese Gibson
Cicely Tyson 1924–2021
John Witherspoon 1942–2019
Chris Rock
Marlon Wayans
Mos Def
Just Leon
Allen Payne
