The film industry has always been a popular platform where people from all walks of life can get a chance to shine. This has helped in creating a culture of diversity.
Hollywood has given some talented black actors and actresses a large platform. These actors have made a name for themselves in the film industry and have become a part of the most popular films.
While many of these talented actors have already received much recognition, a few new faces deserve to be on this list. These actors are the hottest up-and-coming stars in Hollywood and deserve to be here.
It is important to note that some talented black actors can compete with the big names in Hollywood. Here are 15 such stars who have made their mark in the industry.
#15: Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart is a well-known American black actor. He began his career as a comedian and has made a massive name for himself in Hollywood. He is famous for his sassy comedic style, which has earned him many fans and awards. He has also hosted the MTV Video Music Awards and other prestigious events.
Hart started his standup career in a Philadelphia comedy club. His standup routines are drawn from real-life experiences. In 2016, he made $87.5 million, a staggering amount for a comedian. His earnings came from various sources, including his successful tours and endorsement deals with multiple brands.
Hart has also starred in films such as “The Upside” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” both commercially successful and received positive reviews from critics. In addition to acting, he has also become an accomplished director and producer.
Hart’s annual income varies depending on his projects and whether or not he goes on tour. But he typically takes home between $40 million and $60 million a year. This is quite a sum for an actor of his caliber and shows that he loves what he does.
#14: Marlon Wayans
One of the best-known American black actors, Marlon Wayans, is a writer and comedian who has starred in several films. He is known for his roles in “Scary Movie,” “White Chicks,” and “Marmaduke.”
He has also been credited as the co-writer and producer of the first two movies in the “Scary Movie” series. He is also a famous comedy actor and has sold out shows across the country.
As a prolific comedian and actor, Wayans has parodied everything from horror movies to inner-city dramas to dance-competition films. He says his wit has always been his biggest asset.
#13: Idris Elba
Known for his role as Russell “Stringer” Bell on HBO’s widely-acclaimed series “The Wire,” British actor Idris Elba has starred in countless high-profile movies and TV shows. He is also an accomplished DJ and musician. He performs as Big Driis and has collaborated with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on the song “Dance Off.”
Born Idrissa Akuna Elba in 1972 in Hackney, London, England, he is the only child of Winston Elba, a Sierra Leonean immigrant, and Eve Elba, who is from Ghana. He attended school in Canning Town before dropping out to work as a DJ.
He received a Prince’s Trust grant to attend the National Youth Music Theatre and worked night shifts at Ford Dagenham to support himself between acting roles. He also tire-fitted cars and sold cold call advertising sales.
The Hackney-born actor has many film and TV roles, from leading man villains to character dramas. He has won a Golden Globe and has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards and two Baftas. He has also directed several films and also started his clothing brand.
#12: Larenz Tate
Larenz Tate is one of the best-known American black actors under 50. He has acted since early childhood and has made his mark in television and movies. He is known for his work in films like “Menace II Society” and “Power” and has also been a part of the television series “Rush” and “Game of Silence.”
He was born on September 8, 1975, and was raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is of African American descent and follows Christianity. During his early career, Tate made several appearances on television miniseries and sitcoms before gaining attention for his role as O-Dog in the 1993 teen drama “Menace II Society.” It was a huge hit and solidified his place as an actor.
He has also appeared in many other movies and TV shows. He has received multiple awards for his roles and his dedication to his craft. He is considered one of Hollywood’s most influential black actors. He has also made an effort to become a social activist by promoting causes such as ending the genocide in Sudan and educating children with sickle cell anemia.
#11: Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker is an American actor and comedian who has appeared in many movies. He is one of the best-known American black actors under 50. He began his career as a standup comic, appearing on “Def Comedy Jam” in 1992 and eventually making his acting debut in House Party.
He was then cast in a series of films, including “Friday” and “Rush Hour” film series. In 1997, he starred in “Money Talks,” and then he went on to star in “Jackie Brown.” He also co-starred with Bruce Willis in “The Fifth Element.”
His success on the silver screen and in standup comedy contributed to his rising net worth. His most lucrative role was in the martial arts film series “Rush Hour,” where he reportedly received more than $50 million for his appearance in the franchise.
#10: Boris Kodjoe
Boris Kodjoe is one of the best-known American black actors under 50. He has been in the film industry for more than 40 years and has starred in some of the biggest films in Hollywood. He has received many awards for his performances.
He was born on March 8, 1973, in Vienna, Austria, the son of Ursula, a German psychologist, and Eric Kodjoe, a Ghanaian physician of the Nzema people. His parents divorced when he was six.
His mother’s family was Jewish; his great-grandmother was killed in the Holocaust, and his maternal grandmother survived hiding. He was named after the Russian poet and writer Boris Pasternak.
After failing to succeed in tennis, he followed his passion for acting. He signed up with a modeling agency and started acting in 1995, appearing in TLC’s music video “Red Light Special.”
#9: Omar Epps
Omar Epps is a famous American actor who has worked in some films and television shows. He is known for his work on “House” and his roles in “Juice,” “Higher Learning,” “Scream 2,” “The Wood,” “In Too Deep,” and “Love & Basketball.”
Omar is the son of a single mother, and he grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He became an actor at a young age and starred in Ernest Dickerson’s “Juice.” He continued to develop his acting skills, playing the lead in the college football movie “The Program.”
He also starred in the baseball movie “Major League II” and the drama “Higher Learning,” which was well-received. Omar has been on screen for over a decade and is considered a severe talent in the industry. He has appeared in various movies and TV series and has won numerous awards over the years.
#8: André 3000
André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and actor. He is best known for being a part of the hip-hop duo “OutKast” alongside Big Boi. He has also appeared in many films and TV shows.
The rap duo “OutKast” started as an experimental group that mixed elements of funk, jazz, and rock into their music. This made them stand out from their contemporaries. Their style and lyricism earned them critical acclaim and commercial success.
Their funkadelic sound and futuristic lyrics were a departure from the typical black rappers of the time. They also played a major role in the rebirth of rap as an art form.
As the leader of “OutKast,” Andre Benjamin – better known as André 3000 and Dre – introduced a unique style to the genre. With a funkadelic style and surreal lyrics, he made “OutKast” one of the most popular rap groups of all time.
Their 2003 double album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” catapulted “OutKast” to the top of the charts and won a Grammy Award for best rap album. The band also landed on several lists of the greatest albums of all time.
#7: Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer is an American actor who started his career at 14 as a narcotics dealer in Spike Lee’s 1994 film “Clockers.” He beat a thousand other contestants to bag the lead role, and since then, he has appeared in numerous films.
Mekhi has won several awards for his acting skills. He has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. He also has a starring role in the popular NBC drama “ER.”
He then appeared in the comedy spoof “High School High” and the fright flick “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.” He has since gone on to star in such films as “Soul Food,” “O,” “8 Mile,” and “Dawn of the Dead.”
#6: Yasiin Bey
Yasiin Bey, better known as Mos Def, has been a prominent figure in the American music and acting industries. He has starred in many films and television shows. He has also written several books and released many of his music albums.
In addition to his music career, Bey has also been active in activism. He has worked to help end police brutality and the incarceration of African Americans. He has also spoken out against the idea of American exceptionalism.
Before he started his music career, Bey was a child actor, having starred in movies and TV shows. He has been involved in projects such as “Something the Lord Made,” “Next Day Air,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “16 Blocks,” “Be Kind Rewind,” and “The Italian Job.” He has also hosted “Def Poetry Jam” on HBO.
#5: Bookem Woodbine
Bookem Woodbine is a talented American actor who is best known for his role as Mike Milligan on “Fargo.” He has won several awards for his performance on the show, including a Black Reel Award and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.
He was born in Harlem, New York, and he moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19, where he made his acting debut with Forest Whitaker’s directorial debut, “Strapped” (HBO, 1993). After that, he played Joshua in Jason’s Lyric and Herman Schultz/Shocker in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
The actor has appeared in many films, such as “Ray,” “Life,” and “Devil.” His acting skills are truly remarkable, and he has also been nominated for an Oscar.
He is married to Mahiely Woodbine, and they have two children together. He has been married for over two decades and has a very private life. He is also known for supporting different causes.
#4: Common
Modern-day America is a melting pot of cultures with different music, sports, and entertainment options. As a result, it is no surprise that the country’s top talent is a mix of creative juggernauts who are fearless in flexing their muscles in entertainment.
Among these is Common, who is arguably the best of the best in the entertainment industry. This affable ape has been around for a while now and is a jack of all trades, master of all trades kind of guy.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Common has earned his place in the history books and is one of the most successful black actors in recent memory. Despite a few bumps and bruises, the eponymous is a community pillar and an inspiration for young guns like himself.
#3: Nate Parker
Nate Parker has a long list of notable roles. He has acted in several popular films, including “Red Tails,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and “The Great Debaters.”
He started his career in a small role in “Hot Boyz” and landed a few other recurring roles. He also had a few starring roles in television shows. After graduating high school, he attended Penn State University. While at the university, he and his friend Jean Celestin were accused of raping an 18-year-old student on campus. They were both acquitted.
However, the accuser took her own life in 2012. She had been distraught by the rape case and thought it would prevent her from attending college.
After the case, he decided to focus on his acting career. Parker soon began gaining attention, especially after his breakout role in “The Great Debaters” in 2007. He followed up this performance with roles in “Red Tails” and “Arbitrage.”
#2: Taye Diggs
Taye Diggs is a talented American actor who has starred in many famous movies. He is also a singer and has been associated with several popular TV shows.
He is a popular figure in the film industry, as well as in the Broadway world. He has acted in several famous musicals like “Rent” and “Hedwig and Angry Inch.” He also appeared in the TV series “Private Practice” and “Murder in the First.”
In 1999, he played the lead role in the romantic comedy “The Best Man.” The movie was a success and was nominated for the NAACP Image Award.
Diggs’s career took off after he appeared in the movie “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and the TV show “Ally McBeal.” He became a household name, and he remains to this day.
Besides acting, he is also a great human activist. He has campaigned for the cause of Colombia’s statehood and has worked with several social organizations.
#1: Mike Epps
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mike Epps started performing standup comedy as a teenager. He later moved to Atlanta, where he worked at the Comedy Act Theater before moving to New York City to star in “Def Comedy Jam.”
As an actor, Epps has made a name for himself in several films, including co-starring with Ice Cube in “Next Friday” and its sequel, “Friday After Next.” These films, which feature Epps alongside Ice Cube, have become a staple of the African-American comedy genre.
He also appeared in Vin Diesel’s “Strays,” a dramatic portrayal of relationships and drugs. The movie earned him a nomination for the NAACP Image Award.
In 2017, he starred as Richard Pryor in a biopic that was released through The Weinstein Company. The film was directed by Bill Condon and produced by Neal Moritz.
He enjoys dominating the basketball court and playing video games with his friends in his spare time. Mike was married to actress Mechelle McCain, and they have two children. However, their marriage ended in a messy divorce.