List of African-American actors

This is a list of African-American actors.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is African American and a notable actor. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year.

1800s

 * Ira Aldridge – 1807

1860s

 * Ernest Hogan – 1865
 * Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones {also known as The Black Patti} – 1868
 * Bob Cole – 1868

1870s

 * George Walker – 1872/1873
 * Bert Williams – 1874
 * John Larkin – 1877
 * Bill Robinson – 1878

1880s

 * Abbie Mitchell – 1884
 * Dooley Wilson – 1886
 * Tim Moore – 1887
 * Clarence Muse – 1889

1890s

 * Spencer Williams – 1893
 * Moms Mabley – 1894
 * Rex Ingram –  1895
 * Hattie McDaniel – 1895
 * Amanda Randolph – 1896
 * Evelyn Preer – 1896
 * Ethel Waters – 1896
 * Jules Bledsoe – 1897
 * Paul Robeson – 1898
 * Johnny Lee – 1898
 * Lillian Randolph – 1898

1900s

 * Adelaide Hall – 1901
 * Louise Beavers – 1902
 * Stepin Fetchit –  1902
 * Mantan Moreland – 1902
 * Fredi Washington – 1903
 * Pigmeat Markham – 1904
 * Frederick O'Neal – 1905
 * Ernestine Wade – 1906
 * Victoria Spivey – 1906
 * Alvin Childress – 1907
 * Cab Calloway – 1907
 * Louis Jordan – 1908
 * Helen Martin – 1909

1910s

 * Nick Stewart {also known as Nicodemus or Nick O'Demus} – 1910
 * Scatman Crothers – 1910
 * Muriel Rahn – 1911
 * Rosetta LeNoire – 1911
 * Nina Mae McKinney – 1912
 * Roy Glenn – 1914
 * Woody Strode – 1914
 * Juanita Moore – 1914
 * Willie Best {also known as Sleep 'n' Eat} – 1916
 * Ossie Davis – 1917
 * Lena Horne – 1917
 * Isabel Sanford – 1917
 * James Edwards – 1918
 * Nipsey Russell – 1918

1920s

 * Allen "Farina" Hoskins – 1920
 * LaWanda Page – 1920
 * Esther Rolle – 1920
 * Dorothy Dandridge – 1922
 * Redd Foxx – 1922
 * Roscoe Lee Browne –  1922
 * Muriel Smith – 1923
 * Ruby Dee – 1924
 * Cicely Tyson – 1924
 * Matthew "Stymie" Beard – 1925
 * Sammy Davis, Jr. – 1925
 * Harry Belafonte – 1927
 * Rupert Crosse –  1927
 * Robert Guillaume –  1927
 * Brock Peters – 1927
 * Sidney Poitier – 1927
 * Eartha Kitt – 1927
 * Maya Angelou – 1928
 * Moses Gunn – 1929
 * Roxie Roker – 1929

1930s

 * Abbey Lincoln – 1930
 * James Earl Jones – 1931
 * Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas – 1931
 * Ivan Dixon – 1931
 * Marla Gibbs – 1931
 * Carl Gordon – 1932
 * Nichelle Nichols – 1932
 * Greg Morris – 1933
 * Flip Wilson – 1933
 * Wilbert "Bill" Cobbs – 1934
 * Diahann Carroll – 1935
 * Louis Gossett, Jr. – 1936
 * Bill Cosby – 1937
 * Morgan Freeman – 1937
 * Billy Dee Williams – 1937
 * Sherman Hemsley – 1938
 * Madge Sinclair – 1938
 * Fred Williamson – 1938
 * John Amos – 1939
 * Cleavon Little – 1939
 * Clarence Williams III – 1939
 * Yaphet Kotto – 1939
 * Paul Winfield – 1939

1940s

 * Richard Pryor – 1940
 * John Witherspoon – 1942
 * Isaac Hayes – 1942
 * Richard Roundtree – 1942
 * Leslie Uggams – 1943
 * Georg Stanford Brown – 1943
 * Margaret Avery – 1944
 * Patti LaBelle – 1944
 * Diana Ross – 1944
 * Ja'net Dubois – 1945
 * Charlie Robinson – 1945
 * James Avery – 1945
 * Ernie Hudson – 1945
 * Danny Glover – 1946
 * Gregory Hines – 1946
 * Ben Vereen – 1946
 * Demond Wilson – 1946
 * Melba Moore – 1946
 * Glynn Turman – 1947
 * Joe Morton – 1947
 * Jimmie Walker – 1947
 * Grace Jones – 1948
 * Phylicia Rashād – 1948
 * Avery Brooks – 1948
 * Samuel L. Jackson – 1948
 * Lynne Thigpen – 1948
 * Nell Carter – 1948
 * Pam Grier – 1949
 * Frankie Faison – 1949
 * Kene Holliday – 1949
 * Loretta Devine – 1949

1950s

 * Howard E. Rollins Jr. – 1950
 * Dorian Harewood – 1950
 * Debbie Allen – 1950
 * Jo Marie Payton – 1950
 * Obba Babatundé – 1951
 * Alfre Woodard – 1952
 * Delroy Lindo – 1952
 * Reginald VelJohnson – 1952
 * Michael Dorn – 1952
 * Tom Wright – 1952
 * Clarke Peters – 1952
 * S. Epatha Merkerson – 1952
 * Lynn Whitfield – 1953
 * Oprah Winfrey – 1954
 * Marsha Warfield – 1954
 * Dennis Haysbert – 1954
 * James Pickens, Jr. – 1954
 * Tony Todd – 1954
 * Denzel Washington – 1954
 * David Alan Grier – 1955
 * Roger Guenveur Smith – 1955
 * Whoopi Goldberg – 1955
 * Clarence Gilyard – 1955
 * Clifton Powell – 1956
 * Keith David – 1956
 * Arsenio Hall – 1956
 * Khandi Alexander – 1957
 * Robert Townsend – 1957
 * Levar Burton – 1957
 * Bernie Mac – 1957
 * Steve Harvey – 1957
 * Spike Lee – 1957
 * Mario Van Peebles – 1957
 * Michael Clarke Duncan – 1957
 * Mykelti Williamson – 1957
 * Jenifer Lewis – 1957
 * Suzzanne Douglas – 1957
 * Michael Jackson – 1958
 * Angela Bassett – 1958
 * Giancarlo Esposito – 1958
 * Keenen Ivory Wayans – 1958
 * Tom Lister Jr. – 1958
 * Tony Cox (actor) – 1958
 * Ice-T – 1958
 * Terrence C. Carson – 1958
 * Prince – 1958
 * Tamara Tunie – 1959
 * Victoria Rowell – 1959
 * Charlie Murphy – 1959
 * Irene Cara – 1959

1960s

 * Courtney B. Vance – 1960
 * Lorraine Toussaint – 1960
 * Anne-Marie Johnson – 1960
 * Damon Wayans – 1960
 * Rusty Cundieff – 1960
 * Larry Wilmore – 1961
 * Mark Curry –  1961
 * Eddie Murphy – 1961
 * Forest Whitaker – 1961
 * Laurence Fishburne – 1961
 * Dawnn Lewis – 1961
 * Kim Wayans – 1961
 * Kym Whitley – 1961
 * Tim Meadows – 1961
 * Lance Reddick – 1962
 * T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh – 1962
 * Leon Robinson (usually credited as simply Leon) – 1962
 * Kim Coles – 1962
 * Eriq La Salle – 1962
 * Wesley Snipes – 1962
 * Jasmine Guy – 1962
 * Richard Brooks – 1962
 * Michael Beach – 1963
 * Wendell Pierce – 1963
 * Whitney Houston – 1963
 * Isaiah Washington – 1963
 * Vanessa L. Williams – 1963
 * Vanessa A. Williams – 1963
 * Darryl M. Bell – 1963
 * Harold Perrineau – 1963
 * Jennifer Beals – 1963
 * D.L. Hughley – 1963
 * Lela Rochon – 1964
 * Harry Lennix – 1964
 * Don Cheadle – 1964
 * Vivica A. Fox – 1964
 * Lenny Kravitz – 1964
 * Wanda Sykes – 1964
 * Cedric the Entertainer – 1964
 * Holly Robinson Peete – 1964
 * Kevin Michael Richardson – 1964
 * Blair Underwood – 1964
 * Miguel A. Núñez Jr. – 1964
 * J. B. Smoove – 1965
 * Viola Davis – 1965
 * Chris Rock – 1965
 * Martin Lawrence – 1965
 * Jeffrey Wright – 1965
 * Kadeem Hardison – 1965
 * Steve Harris (actor) – 1965
 * Todd Bridges – 1965
 * Gina Ravera – 1966
 * Janet Jackson – 1966
 * Hill Harper – 1966
 * Kristoff St. John – 1966
 * Halle Berry – 1966
 * Shanésia Davis-Williams – 1966
 * Karyn Parsons-Rockwell – 1966
 * Rachel True – 1966
 * Michael Kenneth Williams – 1966
 * Jeffrey D. Sams – 1966
 * Stacey Dash – 1967
 * Sherri Shepherd – 1967
 * Leslie Jones – 1967
 * Michael Jai White – 1967
 * Lisa Bonet – 1967
 * Salli Richardson – 1967
 * Mo'Nique – 1967
 * Jamie Foxx – 1967
 * Seth Gilliam – 1968
 * Faizon Love – 1968
 * Tisha Campbell-Martin – 1968
 * Allen Payne – 1968
 * Matthew St. Patrick – 1968
 * Cuba Gooding, Jr. – 1968
 * Orlando Jones – 1968
 * Eddie Griffin – 1968
 * Terry Crews – 1968
 * Phill Lewis – 1968
 * Will Smith – 1968
 * Tracy Morgan – 1968
 * LL Cool J – 1968
 * Gary Coleman – 1968
 * Andre Royo – 1968
 * Paula Jai Parker – 1969
 * Jesse L. Martin – 1969
 * Erika Alexander – 1969
 * Morris Chestnut – 1969
 * Ice Cube – 1969
 * Terrence Howard – 1969
 * Tyler Perry – 1969
 * Gina Torres – 1969
 * Chandra Wilson – 1969
 * D.B. Woodside – 1969
 * Dondre Whitfield – 1969
 * Reginald C. Hayes – 1969
 * Tichina Arnold – 1969
 * Wood Harris – 1969
 * Kim Fields – 1969
 * Aunjanue Ellis – 1969

1970s

 * Queen Latifah – 1970
 * Aisha Tyler – 1970
 * Octavia Spencer – 1970
 * Anthony Anderson – 1970
 * Shemar Moore – 1970
 * Mariah Carey – 1970
 * Taraji P. Henson – 1970
 * Nia Long – 1970
 * Audra McDonald – 1970
 * Stephen Bishop (actor) – 1970
 * Henry Simmons – 1970
 * Nicole Ari Parker – 1970
 * Malcolm-Jamal Warner – 1970
 * Mike Epps – 1970
 * Golden Brooks – 1970
 * Regina Hall – 1970
 * Niecy Nash – 1970
 * Method Man – 1971
 * Erykah Badu – 1971
 * Tasha Smith – 1971
 * Taye Diggs – 1971
 * Regina King – 1971
 * Sanaa Lathan – 1971
 * Jada Pinkett Smith – 1971
 * Chris Tucker – 1971
 * Shawn Wayans – 1971
 * Katt Williams – 1971
 * Alfonso Ribeiro – 1971
 * Keegan-Michael Key – 1971
 * Richard T. Jones –  1972
 * Darrin Henson – 1972
 * Common (rapper) – 1972
 * Dwayne Johnson – 1972
 * Maya Rudolph – 1972
 * Jill Scott – 1972
 * Sharon Leal – 1972
 * Daniel Sunjata – 1972
 * Essence Atkins – 1972
 * Wayne Brady – 1972
 * Leonard Roberts – 1972
 * Anika Noni Rose – 1972
 * Marlon Wayans – 1972
 * Gabrielle Union – 1972
 * Deon Cole – 1972
 * Tracee Ellis Ross – 1972
 * Omar Epps – 1973
 * Rockmond Dunbar - 1973
 * Yasiin Bey – 1973
 * Dave Chappelle – 1973
 * Michael Ealy – 1973
 * Boris Kodjoe – 1973
 * Keesha Sharp – 1973
 * Lark Voorhies – 1973
 * Mahershala Ali – 1974
 * Donald Faison – 1974
 * Russell Hornsby – 1974
 * Tamala Jones – 1974
 * Laz Alonso – 1974
 * Mekhi Phifer – 1974
 * Derek Luke – 1974
 * Joy Bryant – 1974
 * Omari Hardwick – 1974
 * Chad L. Coleman – 1974
 * De'Aundre Bonds – 1974
 * Brian White – 1975
 * Malinda Williams - 1975
 * Tory Kittles – 1975
 * Sharif Atkins – 1975
 * Paula Patton – 1975
 * Dulé Hill – 1975
 * Larenz Tate – 1975
 * Jill Marie Jones – 1975
 * Andre Benjamin – 1975
 * Kellie Shanygne Williams – 1976
 * Jaleel White – 1976
 * Rashida Jones – 1976
 * Rochelle Aytes – 1976
 * Omar Gooding – 1976
 * Chadwick Boseman – 1976
 * Pooch Hall – 1976
 * Mike Colter – 1976
 * Kerry Washington – 1977
 * Chris Bridges – 1977
 * RonReaco Lee – 1977
 * Wesley Jonathan – 1978
 * Tyrese Gibson – 1978
 * Tamera Mowry – 1978
 * Tia Mowry – 1978
 * Zoe Saldana – 1978
 * Kenan Thompson – 1978
 * Omar Benson Miller – 1978
 * Nelsan Ellis – 1978
 * Anthony Mackie – 1978
 * Danai Gurira – 1978
 * Lil Rel Howery – 1979
 * Jason Weaver – 1979
 * Kevin Hart – 1979
 * Nate Parker – 1979
 * Tatyana Ali – 1979
 * Keshia Knight Pulliam – 1979
 * Andre Holland – 1979
 * Brandy Norwood – 1979
 * Tituss Burgess – 1979
 * Jordan Peele – 1979
 * Cory Hardrict – 1979
 * Rutina Wesley – 1979
 * Tiffany Haddish – 1979

1980s

 * Mehcad Brooks – 1980
 * Nick Cannon – 1980
 * Lamorne Morris – 1980
 * Neil Brown Jr. – 1980
 * William Jackson Harper – 1980
 * Uzo Aduba – 1981
 * Marques Houston – 1981
 * Amanda Seales – 1981
 * Jennifer Hudson – 1981
 * Alicia Keys – 1981
 * Meagan Good – 1981
 * Meghan Markle – 1981
 * Nyasha Hatendi – 1981
 * Beyoncé Knowles – 1981
 * Jesse Williams (actor) – 1981
 * Lance Gross – 1981
 * Hosea Chanchez – 1981
 * Yaya DaCosta – 1982
 * Damon Wayans, Jr. – 1982
 * Columbus Short – 1982
 * Terrence Jenkins – 1982
 * Donald Glover – 1983
 * Brian Tyree Henry – 1983
 * Ron Funches – 1983
 * Yvonne Orji – 1983
 * Gabourey Sidibe – 1983
 * Jussie Smollett – 1983
 * Trai Byers – 1983
 * Robert Ri'chard – 1983
 * Arjay Smith – 1983
 * Tessa Thompson – 1983
 * Lauren London – 1984
 * DeVaughn Nixon – 1984
 * Rob Brown (actor) – 1984
 * Xosha Roquemore – 1984
 * Alphonso McAuley – 1984
 * Brandon T. Jackson – 1984
 * Scott Mescudi – 1984
 * Charles Michael Davis – 1984
 * Naturi Naughton – 1984
 * Lee Thompson Young – 1984
 * Sonequa Martin-Green – 1985
 * Teyonah Parris – 1985
 * Issa Rae – 1985
 * Janelle Monáe – 1985
 * Edwin Hodge – 1985
 * Raven-Symoné – 1985
 * Aja Naomi King – 1985
 * Jon Michael Hill – 1985
 * Giovonnie Samuels – 1985
 * Nicole Beharie – 1985
 * Bryton James – 1986
 * Drake (musician) – 1986
 * Sasheer Zamata – 1986
 * Aldis Hodge – 1986
 * Elijah Kelley – 1986
 * Condola Rashad – 1986
 * Jurnee Smollett-Bell – 1986
 * Marcus T. Paulk – 1986
 * Tahj Mowry – 1986
 * Amber Stevens West – 1986
 * Samira Wiley – 1987
 * Michael B. Jordan – 1987
 * Jerrod Carmichael – 1987
 * Jermaine Fowler – 1988
 * Jay Pharoah – 1987
 * Shad Moss – 1987
 * Jason Mitchell – 1987
 * Naya Rivera – 1987
 * Christel Khalil – 1987
 * Evan Ross – 1988
 * Zoë Kravitz – 1989
 * Jordin Sparks – 1989
 * Tristan Wilds – 1989
 * Corbin Bleu – 1989
 * Danielle Brooks – 1989

1990s

 * Christopher Massey – 1990
 * Tequan Richmond – 1990
 * Jeremy Suarez – 1990
 * Marc John Jefferies – 1990
 * Keith Stanfield – 1991
 * Kyle Massey – 1991
 * Zazie Beetz – 1991
 * Tyler James Williams – 1992
 * Doc Shaw – 1992
 * Paige Hurd – 1992
 * Raven Goodwin – 1992
 * Leon Thomas III – 1993
 * Keke Palmer – 1993
 * Philip Daniel Bolden – 1995
 * Anthony Richardson – 1995
 * Michael Richardson – 1998
 * Zendaya – 1996
 * Hailee Steinfeld –  1996
 * Trevor Jackson (actor) – 1996
 * Jaden Smith – 1998
 * China Anne McClain – 1998
 * Amandla Stenberg – 1998
 * Madison Pettis – 1998
 * Cameron Boyce – 1999
 * Tyrel Jackson Williams – 1997

2000s

 * Yara Shahidi – 2000
 * Elijah Wright – 2001
 * Skai Jackson – 2002
 * Quvenzhane Wallis – 2003
 * Juno Wright] – 2003
 * Trinitee Stokes – 2006
 * Walker Diggs – 2009