Photo Credit / Getty Images, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and UPROXX
As Jan. comes to a close and Feb. begins, we would like to honor Black actresses and actors for Black History Month who are making a tremendous impact in the film industry. While being in an industry that sometimes practices exclusion and lacks diversity can be challenging, these actresses and actors conquer adversity by their hard work and dedication to their craft.
In this article, we chose ten Black, remarkable actresses and actors to be spotlighted as they embody Black excellence in each role they portray on screen.
- Whoopi Goldberg
She’s not only known for being one of the hosts of the critically acclaimed talk show, The View, but Whoopi Goldberg has been in the game dating back to the 80s with her first big breakout role as Celie Johnson in the gut-wrenching film, The Color Purple. Although that was a much more serious role, she transitioned into comedy which showed her range could go far with films such as Corrina Corrina (Corrina Washington), Made in America (Sarah Matthews) and the Sister Act films (Deloris Wilson). With her vibrant personality, Goldberg has made herself a household name in Hollywood becoming one of many entertainers to win a EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award).
- Denzel Washington
With a career spanning over four decades, Denzel Washington is one of the most versatile actors of our time. According to Biography.com, he first took the stage around the age of seven in a talent show at his local Boys and Girls Club. His talent excelled further into the bigger screen. Now, he is best known for films such as Malcolm X where he played the title character, Training Day (Alonzo), American Gangster (Frank Lucas) and the Equalizer films (Robert McCall). He has won several awards throughout his career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett rose to fame in Tina Turner’s biopic on her life, What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993). She would go on to star in notable films such as The Jacksons: An American Dream (Katherine Jackson), How Stella Got Her Groove Back (Stella Payne), Meet the Browns (Brenda) and the Black Panther films (Ramonda). Bassett has received many accolades for the roles she poured every ounce of her heart in. However, one was missing. After many trials and tribulations, she received her first Oscar this year after being nominated twice in her decades-long career. Bassett will forever be iconic and known as one of the most profound actresses to ever grace Hollywood.
- Idris Elba
Idris Elba is an English actor of Ghanaian-Nigerian descent who is known for masking his British accent extremely well in Americanized films and being your mom’s dream husband (kidding). In all seriousness, Elba is a well renowned actor, producer, director, and DJ. He is one of the most multifaceted actors in the entertainment industry. Elba has starred in numerous of TV shows and films including Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls (Monty), Obsessed (Derek Charles), Luther (DCI John Luther) and The Suicide Squad 2 (Bloodsport). He garnered plentiful accomplishments under his belt and since then released a new documentary titled Gold.
- Taraji P. Henson
From studying acting at Howard University to guest-starring in timeless classics such as Sister, Sister and Smart Guy while juggling being a single mother, Taraji P. Henson has proven that you can do it all. Henson is very strong willed, and she embodies that quality in every character she portrays. Films such as Baby Boy (Yvette), Hustle and Flow (Shug), Proud Mary (Mary), Hidden Figures (Katherine Johnson) shows her incredible range as an actress. She has received many awards and nominations for her work and also starred in the 2023 musical adaptation of the film, The Color Purple as she plays the role of Shug Avery, which has received critical acclaim from audiences.
- Colman Domingo
Over the years, Colman Domingo has established his mark in Hollywood and the Broadway stage all while being on the faculty of the Yale School of Drama and as a Juilliard School Creative Associate according to the Broadway World. He starred in countless of TV shows and films such as Fear the Walking Dead (Victor Strand), If Beale Street Could Talk (Mr. Rivers), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Cutler), Euphoria (Ali Muhammed) and Rustin (Bayard Rustin). Domingo also starred in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple alongside Taraji P. Henson, which audiences see him portray a much darker persona than his real one, as he is definitely charming. Not only is he an awarding winning actor but he is also a writer, having written the book for the Broadway musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
- Issa Rae
If you were watching YouTube during the web series era of the early 2010s then you definitely should know the comical Issa Rae as she starred in her own series called The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, which garnered her major success. Rae’s genius storytelling would land her to create the hit HBO show Insecure, which is based off her YouTube series. In addition, she created and produced another HBO show, Rap Sh!t. When she’s not being a creative force making shows, Rae also starred in various films like Little (April), The Lovebirds (Leilani), The Photograph (Mae Morton) and Barbie (President). She’s a recipient of multiple NAACP and BET awards and is the literal definition of turning your dreams into a reality.
- Caleb McLaughlin
Caleb McLaughlin is amongst many young talented actors that are making a tremendous impact while becoming one of the future breakout stars of the entertainment industry. Before starring as Lucas Sinclair in the Netflix’s hit show Stranger Things, McLaughlin started on Broadway as a child playing Young Simba in The Lion King before making his breakthrough in Hollywood. Despite his success on Stranger Things, he would receive backlash from fans due to his race, but he didn’t let that stop his promising career. McLaughlin also is known for playing young Bobby Brown in The New Edition Story and Cole in Concrete Cowboy. He has won and been nominated for many awards due to his stellar performances.
- Quinta Brunson
To starring and producing her own Instagram series, Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date, creating content for Buzzfeed and now becoming the first Black woman to win the Emmy for best comedic actress in over 40 years, Quinta Brunson is truly making a name for herself (and not because of the wrinkly dress fiasco). She co-created, produced and starred in the ABC comedy show Abbott Elementary that audiences are truly raving about. Her witty humor and joyous personality are carrying her to new heights in the industry and ranking up her list of accomplishments, which includes winning a Golden Globe and Emmy award.
- LaKeith Stanfield
As a teenager, LaKeith Stanfield decided he wanted to become an actor after joining his high school’s drama club. That decision would embark his journey on becoming one of Hollywood’s cultivating actors. Stanfield is widely known for his appearance as Darius in FX’s show, Atlanta, which was created by rapper Childish Gambino. He would also star in box office hits like Straight Outta Compton (Snoop Dogg) and Get Out (Andre Logan King). Stanfield has been nominated for many awards throughout his career, and not only is he an outstanding actor, he was once a rapper and model. Be sure to check out his newest film, The Book of Clarence, in which he plays the titled character.
