Hollywood is changing, and Black excellence is at the forefront of that movement. From the trailblazers who set the stage to the latest crop of stars redoing the playbook, Black actresses and actors have transformed film, shattered stereotypes, and entertained the global community. Whether a movie aficionado or simply someone who enjoys a good tale, these 15 incredible stars have redefined what it means to shine on the big screen, and their reach only continues to expand.
15. Saniyya Sidney
Just 15 years old, Saniyya Sidney has already demonstrated she’s a talent to keep an eye on. With Critics’ Choice, NAACP Image, and SAG Awards in her repertoire, she’s already demonstrated remarkable range in Fences and Hidden Figures. But her star turn was as young Venus Williams in King Richard, where she embodied both the fire and grit of a legend. Sidney has also played Sasha Obama in The First Lady, demonstrating she’s just getting started, and Black Hollywood’s future is bright with her at the helm.
14. Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin is more than an actress; she’s a force. Stealing scenes on Black-ish as Diane Johnson at 10, she became the youngest executive producer of a big-studio film at 13 with Little. Ever since, she’s started her own nail line, produced projects, and become a role model to emerging creators everywhere. Ambitious, quick-witted, and unafraid, Martin embodies the future generation of Black excellence in entertainment.
13. Storm Reid
Storm Reid’s career has been anything but static. From 12 Years a Slave to Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time, she’s repeatedly opted for roles that challenge and uplift. Her role as Gia on Euphoria has further solidified her position as one of the standout talents of Gen Z. Reid keeps impressing in When They See Us, The Invisible Man, and the hit show The Last of Us. She is one of the most compelling young actors currently working because she can seamlessly merge vulnerability with strength.
12. Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg initially stole hearts as Rue in The Hunger Games and has since emerged as one of Hollywood’s most intelligent and brazen voices. Their performances in The Hate U Give and Dear Evan Hansen showcase an uncommon blend of charisma and depth. Aside from acting, Stenberg is an unapologetic voice for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, employing their platform to create necessary discourse. Graded “Feminist of the Year” by the Ms. Foundation, Stenberg’s influence translates far beyond film.
11. Zendaya
Zendaya has come a long way from Disney stardom to international icon. Whether it’s her Emmy-winning performance as Rue in Euphoria, her dominant turn in Dune, or her charm in Spider-Man, Zendaya’s range is endless. Off-screen, she’s a style pioneer and vocal advocate for representation in Hollywood. As an actress, producer, and fashion icon, she’s changing the game on what it means to have power and purpose in the industry.
10. Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer’s journey proves that persistence pays off. After years of supporting roles, she skyrocketed to fame with her Oscar-winning performance in The Help. Since then, she’s delivered unforgettable turns in Hidden Figures, The Shape of Water, and Self-Made. Spencer’s late rise to stardom is a reminder that timing doesn’t define talent, and she continues to champion inclusion and authenticity both on and off screen.
9. Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali has become one of the most respected actors of his generation. The first Black actor to win two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, Moonlight and Green Book, Ali brings a quiet intensity to every role. From True Detective to House of Cards, his performances are layered, soulful, and deeply human. Ali’s dedication to storytelling rooted in truth makes him a defining voice of modern cinema.
8. Viola Davis
Viola Davis is unadulterated power. The first African American actress to receive the “Triple Crown of Acting”–Oscar, Emmy, and Tony, she’s made her impact in everything from Fences and Doubt to How to Get Away with Murder. Davis has also emerged as a forceful voice for equality, leveraging her position to fight for equitable pay and meaningful roles for women of color. Her career isn’t just impressive, it’s transformative.
7. Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett exudes power with each performance she undertakes. From playing Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It to Queen Ramonda in Black Panther, she has established a legacy of excellence, strength, and beauty. Bassett’s performances as historical figures and her repeated production of dominant performances have made her a lasting icon of Black excellence in Hollywood.
6. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is a legend in the entertainment world. One of the EGOT elite, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, she’s shown her range repeatedly. Her work in The Color Purple, Ghost, and Sister Act is iconic. In addition to acting, Goldberg has employed her voice as a host, producer, and activist, making a lasting impact on culture and comedy.
5. Halle Berry
Halle Berry made history as the first, and to date, only Black woman to take home the Oscar for Best Actress, for Monster’s Ball. Her range is astonishing: from action hero in X-Men to dramatic roles in Losing Isaiah and Jungle Fever. Berry’s Oscar win was a turning point for diversity in Hollywood, and she continues to break barriers as an actress and a director.
4. Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington’s name is greatness. With two Oscars and a body of work full of iconic roles, Malcolm X, Training Day, Glory, he’s rewritten the script on leading man greatness. Outside of acting, Washington’s philanthropy and mentorship have assisted in shaping the next generation of storytellers. Put simply, he’s the gold standard.
3. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman’s voice could be the most familiar in Tinseltown, yet it is his sagacity and warmth that render him unforgettable. In Driving Miss Daisy through The Shawshank Redemption, and Million Dollar Baby, Freeman’s performances emit subtle strength. Off-screen, activism and humanitarian efforts demonstrate the same integrity he projects in his performances.
2. Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson was, and continues to be, a beacon of grace and dignity in Hollywood. She played depthful, proud, human characters in classics such as Roots and Sounder over a span of more than six decades. As the first Black woman to be given an honorary Oscar, Tyson broke down barriers and opened doors for thousands of others. Her contributions are interwoven into the very fabric of movie history.
1. Sidney Poitier
There wasn’t a path before Sidney Poitier paved one. As the first African American to receive an Oscar for Best Actor (Lilies of the Field), he altered the course of Hollywood history. His acting in A Raisin in the Sun, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and In the Heat of the Night redefined representation, representing Black men with gravitas and complexity at a time when that was groundbreaking. All actors who followed stand on his shoulders.
From trailblazing legends to bold newcomers, these artists have rewritten the script for Hollywood. They’ve transformed obstacles into milestones and ensured the next generation can dream bigger than before. Their impact isn’t waning, it’s changing. And if history has taught us anything, the narrative of Black excellence in cinema is far from over.