The Most Influential Black Actors of All Time

Sidney Poitier

Afro-Bahamian Sidney Poitier is certainly one of the most important Black actors of our time, as he was the first Black male to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964 for the film Lilies Of The Field. Poitier continued to star in critically-acclaimed films like A Patch of Blue (1965) and In the Heat of the Night (1967). He paved the way for many of the actors we see today and is still living at age 93, soon to be 94 on February 20th!

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman is a legend in Hollywood and, with his distinctive deep voice, has become a father figure over the years to aspiring actors. Known for films like Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), and Million Dollar Baby (2004), Freeman has received a number of awards for his work including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is another black actor who is a legend in Hollywood. Sticking to strong character choices, Denzel has distinguished himself as a man of grace and dignity in the land of fame and fortune. The recipient of 17 NAACP Awards, two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globes, Denzel is one of the most influential black actors on our list!

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx is well known in Hollywood for his performance as Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic, Ray. Foxx is also distinguished by other hit films like Django: Unchained (2012) and Just Mercy (2019). The actor and comedian also hosted his own sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show, from 1996 to 2001.

Danny Glover

This next black actor has built up quite an impressive standing in Hollywood. Known for work in films such as The Color Purple, and as "Roger Murtaugh" in the Lethal Weapon films, Danny Glover is not just a talented actor but also an influential director and political activist.

Will Smith

Will Smith needs no introduction and, at 52, the actor is a household name. The recipient of four Grammy Awards, Smith is well-known for his phenomenal performances in films like The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Ali (2001), and of course as "The Fresh Prince".

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is another black actor who has become a household name. Considered as one of the most popular actors in his generation, Jackson has a multitude of hits under his belt including Jurassic Park (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), and a number of Marvel films (as "Nick Fury").

Cuba Gooding Jr.

This Boyz n the Hood breakthrough actor has gone on to have an esteemed career. With films like A Few Good Men (1992), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Selma (2014) on his resume, Cuba Gooding Jr. is a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

Laurence Fishburne

John Fishburne is another influential Boys N the Hood star. Known for taking on authoritative characters, some of his biggest hits include portraying "Morpheus" in The Matrix series and "Tyrone Miller" in Apocalypse Now.

The most influential black actors range from relative newcomers like Michael B. Jordan to acting legends like Morgan Freeman. Hollywood is full of black talent and while it is hard to narrow down the list, here are the most influential black actors of all time.

Most Influential Black Actors

Danny Glover is one influential black actor that has built up quite an impressive standing in Hollywood. Known for work in films such as The Color Purple, and as "Roger Murtaugh" in the Lethal Weapon films, Danny Glover is not just a talented actor but also an influential director and political activist.

Next on the list is a relative newcomer to Hollywood. Michael B. Jordan may only be 34, but he has stirred up quite a storm in Hollywood. Talented, dashing, and driven, People's Sexiest Man Alive 2020 has made his mark on fans and critics alike with films like Creed (2015) and Black Panther (2018).

Speaking of Black Panther, this next influential actor may have left us way too early, but he has left an enduring mark on Hollywood. Well-known for playing the "Black Panther", Chadwick Boseman was the talk of the town at the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Receiving four nominations posthumously for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Da 5 Bloods, Boseman will forever be remembered in Hollywood. Check out which other black actors have made our most influential list!