Not only do some stars entertain, but some change the game. Throughout the decades, Black actresses and actors have shattered glass ceilings, rewritten what Hollywood represents, and left behind more than just a trail on screen. From trailblazers of the Golden Age to today’s headliners, these legends have proved that representation is everything and that skill combined with bravery can alter the outcome. Here’s a list of ten trailblazers who actually changed Hollywood.
10. Halle Bailey – A New Generation of Disney Magic
When Halle Bailey was announced as Ariel in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, the backlash was seismic. For some, it was a disconnection from long-held visions of the character—but for untold Black girls across the country, it was a revelation. Watching a live-action Disney princess who resembled them was strong, and the reaction videos that went viral spoke volumes. Bailey’s Ariel is not merely a part; it’s a declaration that the fairy-tale heroine can be every hue.
9. Viola Davis – A Force of Nature
Viola Davis is the first Black actor to accomplish the “Triple Crown of Acting,” winning an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony. Her work, from Fences to How to Get Away with Murder, reveals her unparalleled range and emotional ability. The most Oscar-nominated Black actress, she is both a powerhouse on-screen and a crusader for equality within the business.
8. Mahershala Ali – Redefining the Leading Man
Mahershala Ali’s quiet strength and layered performances have earned him two Oscars, making him the first Muslim actor to achieve that feat. From Moonlight to Green Book, he’s shown the world that leading men can look—and act—differently than the Hollywood stereotype. Ali’s rise is proof that the industry is finally widening its lens.
7. Whoopi Goldberg – The EGOT Icon
With an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, Whoopi Goldberg is part of an elite group of performers who share such an honor. From her breathtaking introduction in The Color Purple to winning an Oscar playing the iconic character of a ghost in Ghost, Goldberg has never been easily categorized. Couple that with work in comedy, TV, and as an activist, it’s obvious she’s one of the most adaptable and rule-breaking performers Hollywood has ever had.
6. Denzel Washington – Hollywood’s Standard-Bearer
Denzel Washington is about as close to royalty as Tinseltown comes. With two Oscars and decades of powerhouse work—including Glory through Training Day—he’s shown he can do it all: action, Shakespeare, drama, and more. Beyond his own body of work, Washington has also taken on a mentorship role for countless upstart Black thespians, making his impact go far beyond his own on-screen time.
5. Dorothy Dandridge – The Original Groundbreaker
Dorothy Dandridge broke barriers when she became the first Black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, due to her star performance in Carmen Jones. She was also the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Life magazine. Despite Hollywood limiting her roles, Dandridge’s talent and beauty compelled the industry to recognize Black women as leading ladies.
4. Hattie McDaniel – The First Oscar Winner
In 1940, Hattie McDaniel was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for her performance in Gone With the Wind. But though she broke barriers, she also encountered harsh realities: segregated seating at the ceremony and being left out of the film’s premiere. McDaniel’s win is still bittersweet, but her tenacity opened doors for generations to come.
3. Sidney Poitier – The Trailblazer
Sidney Poitier was not merely an actor—he was an icon of dignity, strength, and excellence. When he became the first Black man to take home the Best Actor Oscar (Lilies of the Field), he set the precedent that Hollywood could—and must—honor Black talent at its best. His performances in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night revolutionized how audiences perceived Black men on the screen.
2. Halle Berry – A Historic Win
In 2002, Halle Berry was the first—and to date only—Black woman to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress, for Monster’s Ball. Her tearful acceptance speech, in which she honored the women who preceded her, is one of the most sentimental moments in Oscar history. Twenty years later, her victory is still a milestone and a reminder of the work yet to be done.
1. Oprah Winfrey – Beyond Stardom
Oprah Winfrey has never been cast into a single mold: actress, producer, talk show host, mogul. She was nominated for an Oscar for her very first movie, The Color Purple, and continued to act in films such as The Butler and Selma. As the first Black female owner of a major production company, her reach spans beyond the performances she gives. Oprah is the personification of how to take an opportunity and leave it as a legacy.
These ten stars did more than stake out careers—they transformed an industry. Their fortitude, skill, and perseverance altered the face of Hollywood and the kinds of stories Hollywood tells. Representation is not tokenism—it’s revolution. And due to these legends, the future of film is brighter, bolder, and more diverse than ever.