People of color have always been underrepresented in the field of entertainment, and the situation of black women in the arena has been especially difficult. Women in Hollywood have always had to struggle to get more substantial roles and a pay scale at par with the male stars, and these issues have been even more pronounced for black actresses! Only a gutsy black woman who possesses a strong character along with beauty and acting skills can make it big in glamorous Hollywood! Check out the best black actresses of all time.
1. Halle Berry
Birthday: 14 August 1966
Born In: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5′5″
In 2002, Halle Berry became the only actress of African-American origin to win the ‘Academy Award for Best Actress.’ She received the award for her portrayal of ‘Leticia Musgrove’ in the 2001 romantic drama film ‘Monster’s Ball’.
2. Angela Bassett
Birthday: 16 August 1958
Born In: New York, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5′4″
Angela Bassett is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as the ‘Golden Globe Award,’ ‘Black Reel Awards,’ and ‘Screen Actors Guild Award.’ In 2008, she was inducted into the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’
3. Kerry Washington
Birthday: 31 January 1977
Born In: Bronx, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 5′4″
Thanks to her impeccable acting skills, Kerry Washington has won several awards, such as ‘Black Reel Awards’ and ‘NAACP Image Awards’. In 2014, she was named in ‘Time’ magazine’s ‘Time 100’ list.
4. Taraji P. Henson
Birthday: 11 September 1970
Born In: Washington, D.C., United States
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′5″
Taraji P. Henson has a successful acting career in television and movies. Her big break came in the form of ‘Baby Boy.’ Her performance in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ fetched her nominations for Academy Award, Golden Globe Award am,’ and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
5. Octavia Spencer
Birthday: 25 May 1972
Born In: Montgomery, Alabama, United States
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 5′2″
Winner of several awards, which include an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, Octavia Spencer is the first black actress to receive two consecutive Academy Award nominations. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the movie ‘The Help’.
6. Viola Davis
Birthday: 11 August 1965
Born In: Saint Matthews, South Carolina, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5′5″
Viola Davis is the first black actor to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting; she won an Academy Award for the movie ‘Fences’, Primetime Emmy for TV seies ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ and Tony Award for the play ‘Fences’.
7. Cicely Tyson
Birthday: 18 December 1924
Born In: Harlem, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died On: 28 January 2021
Cicely Tyson is a veteran actress who has won multiple awards for her performance on stage and screen, including ‘Primetime Emmy Award and Tony Award. She was bestowed with an ‘Academy Honorary Award’ in 2018.
8. Regina Hall
Birthday: 12 December 1970
Born In: Washington, D.C., United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5′4″
Regina Hall became the first black actress to receive the ‘New York Film Critics Circle Award’ under the ‘Best Actress’ category. She won it for her portrayal of ‘Lisa Conroy’ in the 2018 film ‘Support the Girls’.
9. Lupita Nyong’o
Birthday: 01 March 1983
Born In: Mexico City, Mexico
Sun Sign: Pisces
Height: 5′5″
Lupita Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in her first film, ’12 Years A Slave.’ She has also appeared in blockbuster movies like ‘Star Wars’ franchise and ‘Black Panther’.
10. Queen Latifah
Birthday: 18 March 1970
Born In: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Sun Sign: Pisces
Height: 5′10″
Queen Latifah has made a name for herself as a musician and actress. She won an Academy Award nomination for her role in the movie ‘Chicago’ and an Emmy Award nomination for her performance in the TV film ‘Bessie’.
11. Regina King
Birthday: 15 January 1971
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Height: 5′3″
One of the most decorated black actresses of the current era, Regina King has won three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award.
12. Gabrielle Union
Birthday: 29 October 1972
Born In: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′7″
Gabrielle Union has been honored with several prestigious awards, including a ‘BET Comedy Award,’ ‘Black Reel Award,’ and ‘NAACP Image Award.’ In 2003, she won the ‘Rising Star Award’ at the ‘American Black Film Festival.’
13. Zoe Saldana
Birthday: 19 June 1978
Born In: Passaic, New Jersey, United States
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 5′7″
As of Feb 2019, Zoe Saldana is the second highest-grossing film actress in Hollywood with blockbuster films like ‘Avatar’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
14. Alfre Woodard
Birthday: 08 November 1952
Born In: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′3″
Alfre Woodard is regarded as one of the most versatile and successful actors of her generation. Her versatlity can he judged from the fact that she has been nominated 18 times for Emmy Award (she has won four of them). She has also won a Golden Globe Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.
15. Rosario Dawson
Birthday: 09 May 1979
Born In: New York City, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Taurus
Height: 5′7″
Thanks to her amazing acting skills, Rosario Dawson has received nominations at prestigious award ceremonies, such as ‘BET Awards,’ ‘Black Reel Awards,’ and ‘Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.’
16. Hattie McDaniel
Birthday: 10 June 1893
Born In: Wichita, Kansas, United States
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died On: 26 October 1952
Hattie McDaniel was theater and onscreen performer. For her role in ‘Gone With the Wind,’ she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress’ and became the first black person to win the Oscar.
17. Nia Long
Birthday: 30 October 1970
Born In: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′2″
Nia Long is popular for appearing in successful films like ‘Stigmata,’ ‘Boiler Room,’ ‘Big Momma’s House,’ and ‘Premonition.’ She has also received prestigious awards, such as a ‘Black Reel Award’ and ‘Image Awards’.
18. Lynn Whitfield
Birthday: 06 May 1953
Born In: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Sun Sign: Taurus
Height: 5′5″
The recipient of seven ‘NAACP Image Awards,’ Lynn Whitfield has also won other prestigious awards, such as a ‘Black Reel Award’ and ‘Primetime Emmy Award.’
19. Phylicia Rashad
Birthday: 19 June 1948
Born In: Houston, Texas, United States
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 5′6″
Known as ‘The Mother Of The Black Community,’ Phylicia became the first black woman to win the prestigious ‘Tony Award’ under the ‘Best Actress in a Play’ category; she won it in 2004. She has also received other prestigious awards, such as the ‘Black Reel Award’.
20. Diahann Carroll
Birthday: 17 July 1935
Born In: Bronx, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died On: 04 October 2019
Height: 5′5″
In 1962, Diahann Carroll became the first African-American woman to receive a Tony Award for the Best Actress. She won the award for her performance in the Broadway musical ‘No Strings.’ Also known for her work on television, Diahann was inducted into the ‘Television Academy Hall of Fame’ in 2011.
21. Jennifer Hudson
Birthday: 12 September 1981
Born In: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′9″
For her portrayal of ‘Effie White’ in the 2006 musical drama film ‘Dreamgirls,’ Jennifer Hudson won an ‘Oscar,’ ‘Golden Globe Award,’ ‘Screen Actors Guild Award,’ and ‘BAFTA Award.’ In 2013, she was honored with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’
22. Sanaa Lathan
Birthday: 19 September 1971
Born In: New York, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′7″
Sanaa Lathan is one of those actresses who perform in theatre, films, and TV series. In 2003, she received a nomination for the prestigious ‘Tony Award’ for her performance in the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ She has also won many awards, such as ‘Black Reel Awards.’
23. Whoopi Goldberg
Birthday: 13 November 1955
Born In: Chelsea, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′5″
Whoopi Goldberg belongs to an elite group of actors and actresses who have won an ‘Emmy Award,’ ‘Grammy Award,’ ‘Tony Award,’ and ‘Academy Award.’ When she won an ‘Academy for Best Supporting Actress’ in 1991, she became the second black woman to receive an Oscar for acting.
24. Loretta Devine
Birthday: 21 August 1949
Born In: Houston, Texas, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5′7″
Loretta Devine has received many prestigious awards, such as ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ and ‘NAACP Image Awards.’ She has also received nominations at ‘Critics’ Choice Television Awards’ and ‘Black Reel Awards.’
25. Lena Horne
Birthday: 30 June 1917
Born In: Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died On: 09 May 2010
In a career that spanned over 70 years, Lena Horne played various characters in films, television series, and theater. In 1981, she performed in a one-woman show titled ‘Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music’ which became a major hit.
26. Della Reese
Birthday: 06 July 1931
Born In: Black Bottom, Detroit, United States
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died On: 19 November 2017
Della Reese achieved popularity for playing the lead role of ‘Tess’ in the TV drama series ‘Touched by an Angel,’ for which she received the ‘Image Award’ for ‘Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series’ for seven consecutive years starting from 1996.
27. Dorothy Dandridge
Birthday: 09 November 1922
Born In: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died On: 08 September 1965
Dorothy Dandridge was one of the foremost successful actresses of African-American descent. She was the first one of her ethnicity to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress category.
28. Meagan Good
Birthday: 08 August 1981
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5′5″
Megan Good started her career as a child artist. Her breakout role was in ‘Waist Deep.’ She has appeared in multiple horror films like ‘Venom,’ ‘One Missed Call,’ and ‘The Unborn.’ Her other famous works include ‘Think Like A Man,’ ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.’
29. Pam Grier
Birthday: 26 May 1949
Born In: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 5′8″
Pam Grier is known as an action star. Her role as ‘Jackie Brown’ in the movie of the same name earned rave reviews for her and also a lot of award nominations. She is known for appearing in a series of ‘Women in Prison’ and ‘Blaxploitation’ movies in the 70s.
30. Vivica A. Fox
Birthday: 30 July 1964
Born In: South Bend, Indiana, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5′7″
Vivica A. Fox has received several prestigious awards, such as ‘NAACP Image Award’ and ‘Acapulco Black Film Festival Award.’ In 2002, she won the ‘Black Reel Award’ for ‘Best Actress’ for her portrayal of ‘Shante Smith’ in the 2001 film ‘Two Can Play That Game.’
31. Kimberly Elise
Birthday: 17 April 1967
Born In: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Sun Sign: Aries
Height: 5′7″
Kimberly Elise is an accomplished actress who is active on both small and big screens. In the early years of her career, her performances in the movies, ‘Set it Off’ and ‘Beloved,’ earned her the appreciation of critics.
32. Ruby Dee
Birthday: 27 October 1922
Born In: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died On: 11 June 2014
Height: 5′2″
The recipient of ‘Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award’ and ‘National Medal of Arts,’ Ruby Dee was inducted into the ‘American Theater Hall of Fame’ in 1988. In 2008, she was nominated for an ‘Academy Award’ for her performance in the film ‘American Gangster’.
33. Tracee Ellis Ross
Birthday: 29 October 1972
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′7″
Tracee Ellis Ross has seven ‘NAACP Image Awards’ under her belt. She has also won the prestigious ‘Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy’ for her portrayal of ‘Dr. Rainbow Johnson’ in the sitcom ‘Black-ish.’
34. Thandie Newton
Birthday: 06 November 1972
Born In: Westminster, London, England
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′3″
Thandie Newton is the recipient of many prestigious awards, such as the ‘BAFTA Award,’ ‘Screen Actors Guild Award,’ and ‘Black Reel Award.’ In 2019, she was appointed OBE for her services to film and charity.
35. Naomie Harris
Birthday: 06 September 1976
Born In: London, England
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′8″
Naomie Harris has won many awards, including the prestigious ‘Black Reel Award.’ In 2017, she was appointed an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to drama.
36. Eartha Kitt
Birthday: 17 January 1927
Born In: North, South Carolina, United States
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died On: 25 December 2008
Height: 5′4″
Eartha Kitt has won many prestigious awards for her voice-over performances. She was twice honored with the ‘Daytime Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program’ for her work in ‘The Emperor’s New School’ and ‘Wonder Pets!’ In 1960, she was honored with a star on ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’
37. Keke Palmer
Birthday: 26 August 1993
Born In: Harvey, Illinois, United States
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′6″
In 2007, Keke Palmer won the prestigious ‘Black Reel Award’ for ‘Best Actress’ for her portrayal of ‘Akeelah Anderson’ in the 2006 drama film ‘Akeelah and the Bee.’ She has also won many other awards, such as ‘NAACP Image Awards.’
38. Gina Torres
Birthday: 25 April 1969
Born In: New York, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Taurus
Height: 5′10″
Gina Torres is known for playing recurring roles in popular TV series like ‘One Life to Live,’ ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,’ ‘Any Day Now,’ ‘Angel,’ and ‘Suits.’ In 2001, she received the ‘ALMA Award’ for her performance in ‘Cleopatra 2525.’
39. Tatyana Ali
Birthday: 24 January 1979
Born In: North Bellmore, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 5′4″
Tatyana Ali became a household name for her role of ‘Ashley Banks’ in the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and that of ‘Roxanne’ in the soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless.’
40. S. Epatha Merkerson
Birthday: 28 November 1952
Born In: Saginaw, Michigan, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5′6″
S. Epatha Merkerson has received several prestigious awards, such as ‘Emmy Award,’ ‘Golden Globe Award,’ ‘Screen Actors Guild Award,’ ‘Black Reel Award,’ and ‘NAACP Image Award.’
41. Zoë Kravitz
Birthday: 01 December 1988
Born In: Venice, Los Angeles, California, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5′2″
Zoë Kravitz is best known for playing ‘Angel Salvadore’ in the 2011 film ‘X-Men: First Class,’ for which she received nominations at ‘Teen Choice Awards’ and ‘Scream Awards.’
42. Nichelle Nichols
Birthday: 28 December 1932
Born In: Robbins, Illinois, United States
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Height: 5′5″
When Nichelle Nichols was cast to play ‘Nyota Uhura’ in the popular TV series ‘Star Trek,’ she became one of the first black women to be cast in a major TV series. In 1999, she was honored with a ‘Goldene Kamera’ for ‘Cult Star of the Century.’
43. Tisha Campbell-Martin
Birthday: 13 October 1968
Born In: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 5′5″
In 2003, Tisha Campbell-Martin won the ‘NAACP Image Award’ under the ‘Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series’ category for her role in ‘My Wife and Kids.’ The following year, she received the ‘BET Comedy Award’ for the same role.
1. Halle Berry
44. Paula Patton
Birthday: 05 December 1975
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5′7″
Thanks to her awe-inspiring performance in the 2009 film ‘Precious,’ Paula Patton received the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the ‘Black Reel Awards.’ She also received a ‘Saturn Award’ nomination for her performance in ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.’
45. Jada Pinkett Smith
Birthday: 18 September 1971
Born In: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′0″
One of the most talented black actresses of all time, Jada Pinkett Smith has appeared in many successful films, such as ‘The Nutty Professor,’ ‘The Matrix Reloaded,’ and ‘Collateral.’
46. Margaret Avery
Birthday: 20 January 1944
Born In: Mangum, Oklahoma, United States
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Margaret Avery received an Academy Award nomination for the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ category for her portrayal of ‘Shug Avery’ in the 1985 coming-of-age period drama film ‘The Color Purple’. She is a recipient of the prestigious ‘NAACP Image Award’.
47. Lisa Bonet
Birthday: 16 November 1967
Born In: San Francisco, California, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5′2″
In 1988, Lisa Bonet was named the ‘Best Young Female Superstar in Motion Pictures’ at the ‘Young Artist Award.’ She has also received nominations at prestigious award ceremonies, such as ‘Black Reel Awards’ and ‘Primetime Emmy Award.’
48. Janelle Monae
Birthday: 01 December 1985
Born In: Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5′0″
Janelle Monae’s acting career got a shot in the arm after her impressive performances in critically-acclaimed and commercially successful movies ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘Moonlight.’ The latter won the Academy Award for Best Picture. She has a lot of upcoming projects.
49. Mo’Nique
Birthday: 11 December 1967
Born In: Woodlawn, Maryland, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5′7″
Mo’Nique is known for her role as the abusive ‘Mary Lee Johnston’ in the movie, ‘Precious.’ She was nominated and has won several awards for the character, including ‘Academy,’ ‘Golden Globe,’ ‘Screen Actors Guild,’ and ‘BAFTA.’ She continues to give impressive performances.
50. Gabourey Sidibe
Birthday: 06 May 1983
Born In: Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Taurus
Gabourey Sidibe is best known for her wonderful performance in the 2009 film ‘Precious,’ for which she won several awards, including three ‘Black Reel Awards’ and an ‘Independent Spirit Award.’
51. Khandi Alexander
Birthday: 04 September 1957
Born In: Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5′4″
Khandi Alexander plays character roles in TV shows and movies. She is a highly respected artist in the African-American diaspora. She has been nominated and also won multiple awards, including the ‘Black Reels Awards’ and ‘NAACP Image Award.’
52. Samira Wiley
Birthday: 15 April 1987
Born In: Washington, D.C., United States
Sun Sign: Aries
Height: 5′3″
In 2014, Samira Wiley was named ‘Ingenue of the Year’ by ‘Out’ magazine. In 2018, she was honored with the ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ for her performance in the dystopian web television series ‘Handmaid’s Tale.’
53. Vanessa Williams
Birthday: 18 March 1963
Born In: Bronx, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Pisces
Height: 5′6″
Vanessa Williams was the first woman of African-American descent to receive the Miss America title. She won it in 1983. But owing to a scandal, she was replaced by the first runner-up. Vanessa Williams overcame this setback and established herself as a successful actress.
