Black actors over 50 have battled prejudice and racism to dismantle barriers dating back to the Hollywood Golden Age. As the first black actor to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964, legendary actor Syndey Poitier created history. The victory opened the door for renowned black actors who have ruled Hollywood since the 1970s.
Many black actors on the list have succeeded where Poitier failed, overcoming challenges to win awards like the Golden Globe and the Oscar. They frequently express support for significant racial causes like “Black Lives Matter.” Here are ten black actors beyond 50 who are still succeeding.
#10 Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson will be remembered as one of Hollywood’s highest-earning performers. The 73-year-old icon started his career on stage in the early 1980s. With roles in “Coming to America,” “Goodfellas,” and “True Romance,” he continued to advance in Hollywood. His legendary portrayal of Jules Winnfield in the critically acclaimed Pulp Fiction launched his career.
With his roles in “The Hateful Eight,” “Coach Carter,” and “A Time To Kill,” Jackson became one of Hollywood’s most prominent actors. Jackson’s performances as Mace Windu in the “Star Wars” prequel series and Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe helped him establish his legacy. In the upcoming Disney Plus series “Secret Invasion,” Jackson returns as Fury.
#9 Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, is regarded as one of the best actors across the globe. Early in the 1980s, Washington began to draw notice when he got the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1989 for his performance in “Glory.” He rose to fame. After that, Washington became one of Hollywood’s top leading men thanks to his parts in “Malcolm X,” “Philadelphia,” and “The Hurricane,” which received high praise.
Washington redefined the Hollywood superstar with his terrifying portrayal of Alonzo Harris in “Training Day,” which earned him the Best Actor of Academy Award. The 67-year-old Hollywood legend still acts in great films like “The Equalizer,” “Fences,” and “Flight.”
#8 Will Smith
Will Smith became a household name in the 1980s when he joined DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Smith later released several Grammy Award-winning albums after their singles, including “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” reached the top of the charts. Smith began focusing on acting in 1994 when he became the lead cast in the NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Smith quickly rose to the position as one of Hollywood’s highest-earning leading men.
He is well-known for his parts in the “Men In Black” series and the “Bad Boys” trilogy. With his outstanding performances in “Ali,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and “Concussion,” Smith advanced his career. He won the Best Actor of Academy Award in his leading performance in “King Richard” at 54, demonstrating that he is still going strong.
#7 Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is regarded as one of the best performers and comedians ever. He has acted in several classic comedies and action films throughout his career. Murphy became Saturday Night Live’s breakout star in the early 1980s. The enormous fame prompted Murphy’s cinematic career to soar. With his memorable performances as Axel Foley in the “Beverly Hills Cop” series and the buddy comedy “48 Hrs,” Murphy shot to fame.
Murphy played a prominent role in films like “Trading Places,” “Coming to America,” “Nutty Professor,” and “Shrek.” For his work in “Dreamgirls,” Murphy received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. The 61-year-old icon’s career occasionally appears to be done, but then he comes roaring back.
#6 Morgan Freeman
His distinctive baritone voice makes legendary actor Morgan Freeman simple to spot. Beginning his career in the 1960s, Freeman gradually rose to recognition. He got his big break in Street Smart in the late 1980s. His performances in “Lean on Me,” “Shawshank Redemption,” and Seven won him acclaim from viewers all around the world.
For his part in “Million Dollar Baby,” Freeman won the Best Supporting Actor of Academy Award in 2004. Of course, Freeman was already a Hollywood legend at that point. Later, he played Lucious Fox in “The Dark Knight” trilogy and Nelson Mandela in “Invictus.” He is well known for his narration work, especially for the nature documentary “March of the Penguins.”
#5 Terry Crews
While playing for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL, Terry Crews initially became well-known. Eventually, Crews started an acting career and rose to the top of the field. He appeared in several notable films, including “Deadpool 2,” “The Expendables,” and “The Longest Yard.”
He flourished as a television star with parts in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Everybody Hates Chris,” “The Walking Dead: Tales from the Frontline,” and “Space Force” featured him. As America’s Got Talent host, Crews, 54, continues to be a prominent celebrity.
#4 Danny Glover
Danny Glover is one of the most renowned talents in the business, with decades of expertise. With his performances in the 1980s films “Witness,” “Silverado,” and “The Color Purple,” he swiftly gained notoriety. Meanwhile, Glover’s most notable role is that of Sergeant Roger Murtaugh in the beloved “Lethal Weapon” series.
Glover, who is 76, is still young for this. He keeps acting in box office successes and renowned masterpieces. He appeared in “Shooter,” “Jumanji: The Next Level,” and “Dreamgirls.” Glover consistently produced performances praised by critics and broke box office records. Critics and admirers regard Glover as one of the best actors who has never received an Oscar.
#3 Ice T
Ice-T was well-known in the early 1980s because he ruled the underground rap scene. With several songs, he quickly became one of the most popular rappers of the 1980s. Despite the controversy his hit single “Cop Killa” caused, he remained at the top of the charts for the 1990s. When Ice-T stormed Hollywood, he disproved his detractors.
After a few small parts, Ice-T became famous by playing Detective Scotty Appleton in the crime drama “New Jack City.” Throughout the 1990s, he kept appearing in well-liked movies and TV shows. Despite being 64 years old, Ice-T is still one of the most renowned actors in the business.
#2 Chris Rock
In the middle of the 1980s, Chris Rock started as a stand-up comedian and got bit parts in films. While Saturday Night Live was at the height of its popularity in the 1990s, he got his big break as a cast member. Rock gained praise from critics for his supporting performance as heroin user Pookie in the 1991 film “New Jack City.” Rock resumed stand-up comedy in the middle of the 1990s, catapulting his career to new heights.
“Bring the Pain,” “Bigger & Blacker,” and “Never Afraid” are just a few of the HBO Comedy specials he has produced that have received rave reviews. The biographical television series “Everybody Hates Chris” was also written, produced, and narrated by him. The legendary comedian is still going strong at age 57. He released “Chris Rock: Tambourine” in 2018, another comedy special.
#1 Tyler Perry
Every single individual on the planet is familiar with Tyler Perry. The actor, 53, is one of today’s most well-known figures. Perry’s most famous works are the stage plays and movies he has written, directed, and produced. For instance, Perry is the author and performer of the character Madea, a strict grandmother. Perry is also the creator of several well-known films and television shows, including Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne,” “Meet the Browns,” and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.”
Perry and Oprah Winfrey forged a historic agreement to create scripted shows for OWN. The result was the wildly popular drama “The Haves and the Have Nots.” Perry has established a successful career as a director and is now one of Hollywood’s most sought-after performers.
References
- Devjot Bath, 25 Black Actors Over 50 Still Getting It Done, retrieved from https://nextluxury.com/entertainment/black-actors-over-50/
- DTugui, 25 Black Actors Over 60 Still Killing the Game, retrieved from https://www.blackexcellence.com/25-black-actors-over-60-still-killing-the-game/
- Jasmine Grant, We Need To See ID! Celebrity Men Who Are Over 50 But Finer Than Ever, retrieved from https://www.essence.com/love/these-black-celebrity-men-are-over-50-and-so-fine/