This is a list of African-American actors by birth order. Often mentioned as the greatest player in NFL history, this ruggedly handsome African American fullback for the Cleveland Browns first appeared on movie screens in the western Rio Conchos (1964), followed by a strong supporting role as convict commando "Jefferson" in the terrific WWII action film Howard E. Rollins Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1950. He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. Harry Belafonte Actor | Bobby Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. frame. He subsequently made his film debut in the ghetto-themed Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975). Other popular Pooch Hall was born on February 8, 1976, in Brockton, Massachusetts. When she was eight, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. Taraji Penda Henson is an American actress and singer. He was previously married to Debbi Morgan. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this ever popular American actor has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema. Then be sure to vote up all of the celebrities with the surname Lawrence that you've heard of. His directorial skills can be seen in the retelling of the epic mini-series "Roots" starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Goode. He is best known for his television roles as the bass singer Melvin Franklin in The Temptations, Robin Wood in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Malcolm Franks in Single Ladies, Dr. Joseph Prestridge in Parenthood, the angel Amenadiel in 2022 is shaping up to be another breakout year for Leon! He started acting at the age of 21. He is known for his roles in the Bad Boys trilogy, Martin, Def Comedy Jam, Big Momma's House, Open Season, House Party, Boomerang, Wild Hogs, What's Happening Now! He is known for his roles in the Bad Boys trilogy, Martin, Def Comedy Jam, Big Momma's House, Open Season, House Party, Boomerang, Wild Hogs, What's Happening Now! He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). ", is an American former football player. Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She lived in Zambia until political unrest caused her family to move back to the UK, where she lived in Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. He won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film The Last King of Scotland (2006), and has also won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. In 1984, Larenz and his family moved to California. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a Bill Cosby is one of the world's most well-known entertainers and comedians. Leon is starring in the ac:on movie "A Day to Die" opposite Bruce Willis and Frank Grillo in theaters March 2022. Vote up all of the Lawrences and Laurences you've heard of. He was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. As a child, Phylicia, her older brother Andrew (called Tex), and younger sister, dancer and actress Debbie Allen, lived in Mexico. He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy, Jason "Furious", Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T. Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington, TX. A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. Shemar Franklin Moore (born April 20, 1970) is an American actor and former fashion model. He was born in 1939 in Dallas, Texas, where he lived in his early years before moving with his family to Los Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. Fortunately, Kerry Washington is an African-American actress, television show producer and film director who is known for her roles in Scandal, Ray, the Tim Story Fantastic Four film series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Confirmation, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, Cars 3 and The Last King of Scotland. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. Fluent in several languages, including English, Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in west Africa, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. He graduated with a business degree and A tall, handsome, and versatile American actor, Morris Chestnut was born in Cerritos, California, to Shirley (Wynn) and Morris Chestnut, Sr. It appeared to work as he has since starred Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (born September 4, 1953) is an American actor and singer. Who Is The Most Famous Lawrence In The World? After graduating from high English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. Samuel L. Jackson is an American producer and highly prolific actor, having appeared in over 100 films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Shaft (2000), Formula 51 (2001), Black Snake Moan (2006), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005), . He is an actor and director, known for It Chapter Two (2019), Shadowhunters (2016) and Horrible Bosses (2011). He is an actor and producer, known for Gothika (2003), Alien (1992) and A Time to Kill (1996). Robert Moss. Upcoming films include "Horizon Line" with Allison Williams ("Get Out") and " Actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 35 years.Glover was born in San Francisco, California, to Carrie (Hunley) and James Glover, postal workers who were also active in civil rights. His Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to an Italian carpenter/stagehand father from Naples, Italy, and an African-American opera singer mother from Alabama. Our, Television producer, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, (; 22 May 1907 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft and John Gielgud, dominated, Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). He was previously married to Trisha Mann. Beer Barrel Polka and Tonight You Belong To Me are among his popular songs. He has starred in several TV comedy series, including The State, Viva Variety, .more #41 of 44 Celebrities We Want To See On Drop the Mic #56 of 76 All The Celebrities Who Call Chicago Home #98 of 125 Actors Who Have Directed Films Laurence Fishburne. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. Mr. T (born Laurence Tureaud, May 21, 1952), is an American actor. (German-Irish Actor and Racing Driver) 141 42 Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities Birthdate: April 2, 1977 Sun Sign: Aries Birthplace: Heidelberg, Germany Height: 6'0" (183 cm) Celebrity Names: Starting With I Starting With J 11 Matt LeBlanc (Famous for His Role of 'Joey Tribbiani' in the TV Sitcom 'Friends') 146 37 On the stage and on the big screen, Delroy Lindo projects a powerful presence that is almost impossible to ignore. She is the daughter of Zimbabwean mother Nyasha, a health-care worker from the Shona tribe, and British father Nick Newton, who worked as a lab technician. In 1973, at the age of 12, young Laurence won a recurring role on the daytime soap One Life to Live (1968) that lasted three seasons. It appeared to work as he has since starred Aunjanue Ellis was born in San Francisco, California. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. His debut was at the Village Vanguard in New York. Did we forget one of your favorite famous people named Laurence? A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped Keith Hamilton Cobb Graduated Sleepy Hollow High School and Westchester Community College. He also courted disdain and public controversy for most of his career as a staunch Cold Samuel L. Jackson is an American producer and highly prolific actor, having appeared in over 100 films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Shaft (2000), Formula 51 (2001), Black Snake Moan (2006), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005), Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. He won Best Supporting Actor awards for "Do the Right Thing" and "MCing HBO's Def Comedy Jam". His debut was at the Village Vanguard in New York. Also, Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born on November 9, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ruby Dandridge (ne Ruby Jean Butler), an entertainer, and Cyril H. Dandridge, a cabinet maker and minister. Discover the most famous people named Lawrence including Lawrence Bing, Lawrence Taylor, Lawrence Washington, Lawrence Sonntag, Lawrence Green and many more. He is an actor and producer, known for Burn Notice (2007), Third Watch (1999) and The Gifted (2017). The same year, he was nominated for the Academy Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. Vote up all of the Larrys you've heard of. Akinnagbe was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Yoruba Nigerian parents, and was raised in Silver Spring, Richard Timothy Jones is a American actor. When she was 10 years old, she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic, where they would live for Donald Frank Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1964. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. He has appeared in a number of films and television shows, including Claudine (1974), Cooley High (1975), Roots, Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for playing Cedric Daniels in The Wire and Phillip Broyles in Fringe. 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. His directorial skills can be seen in the retelling of the epic mini-series "Roots" starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Goode. !, Nothing to Lose, Life and Blue Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin), a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this ever popular American actor has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema. Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. Blackactors.net profiles black actors of past, present and future. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Laurence Paul Fox (born 26 May 1978) is an English actor, singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his leading role as DS James Hathaway in the British TV drama series Lewis from 2006 to 2015. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. Enjoy. His notable roles are that of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, Derek Morgan on CBS's Criminal Minds from 2005 to 2016, and as the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 An only child, Idrissa Akuna Elba was born and raised in London, England. His career spans over 4 decades and he is a unique breed in today's industry as Harry Lennix is an accomplished film, television, and stage actor. He attended Lance Reddick is an American actor and musician. There he played football, ran track, and boxed. In her biography she stated that, on the day she was born, her father was in the midst of a card game trying to get money to pay the hospital costs. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. Martin Lawrence is an American comedian and actor with a net worth of $110 million. Daniel Lebern Glover is another famous black actor born in San Francisco, California, U.S. Working alongside Harvey Keitel and Delroy Anthony Mackie is an American actor. Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Glover trained at the Black Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. He was educated at the New York Dramatic Workshop. 11. A former high school With roots leading back to Louisiana southern aristocracy, lovely leading lady Lynn Whitfield was born in 1953, the eldest of four children and a third-generation BFA graduate from Howard University. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his work in the biographical film Ray (2004). Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. Strikingly featured and muscular American actor Ving Rhames was born Irving Rameses Rhames in Harlem, New York, to Reather, a homemaker, and Ernest Rhames, an auto mechanic. She is the daughter of Zimbabwean mother Nyasha, a health-care worker from the Shona tribe, and British father Nick Newton, who worked as a lab technician. He grew up in Jamaica, British West Indies, and did folk-singing in nightclubs and theaters, and on television and records. He is noted as a conductor of the music of Handel. He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. He has since left his modeling career and has worked on Gladiator (2000) Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known as The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California. His father was a Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on November 13, 1955. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. Lawrence Becker, 41 TikTok Star. Often plays a policeman or a thief, sometimes both in the same film, July 10, 2010 - April 25, 2012 (divorced, 2 children), Big Sean Feat. Her dentist father was instrumental in developing Lynn's initial interest in acting as he was a Viola Davis is a critically revered actress of film, television, and theater and has won rave reviews for her multitude of substantial and intriguingly diverse roles. His Anthony Mackie is an American actor. The famous Lawrences and Laurences below have many different professions, including notable actors named Laurence, famous musicians named Lawrence, and even athletes named Lawrence. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. Tracy Lee Lawrence (born January 27, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and . He is a three time Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen. He is an actor and producer, known for Far from Heaven (2002), 24 (2001) and Heat (1995). .more He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. Whoopi's recent ancestors were from Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. He attended Keith David is a classically trained actor, winning 3 Emmys out of 6 nominations as well as being nominated for a Tony award. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year. He can also be seen playing opposite Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in their new series LA'S FINEST. Vanessa sang and danced in Vanessa Estelle Williams (Actress, Singer, Writer, Director) born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, is a talented force that came to Hollywood in the 90's with passion purpose and staying power. He is an actor and director, known for Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. Top 30 most beautiful women in Hollywood right now. He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy, Jason "Furious" .more #56 of 272 The Best (Male) Actors Working Today #80 of 643 The Best Actors In Film History #53 of 183 The All-Time Greatest Action Stars 3 He has been married to Lisa Mitchell since May 26, 2018. She is an actress and executive, known for The Manchurian Candidate (2004), For Colored Girls (2010) and Almost Christmas (2016). 27. He graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting. Her career started in 1971, when Roger Corman of New World Pictures launched Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Here's my top 50 Black Actors of all time. Lawrence has survived from Roman times, when Laurentium was a city noted for its laurel trees (the laurel is a symbol of wisdom and achievement). Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. The first Black person to star in a prime-time drama in the '60s, Tyson has made history . William Henry Cosby, Jr. was born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Anna Pearl (Hite), a maid and William Henry Cosby, Sr., a U.S. Navy sailor. He attended Circle in the Square Theatre School and Playwrights Horizons Theater School. Wed, Mar 01, 2023 . 48. He grew up on the streets of the South Bronx in New York City, where he very early decided that dance and the theatre were to be his career. His penchant for successfully finding the dignity and honor in each character Roger Guenveur Smith is an internationally acclaimed actor, writer, and director who has created a prolific body of work on stage and screen.He adapted his Obie Award-winning solo performance of A Huey P. Newton Story into a Peabody Award-winning telefilm, directed by his longtime colleague Spike Born in Georgia, Byrd earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Morris Brown College and later received a master of fine arts degree in dance from California Institute of the Arts. Under the prodding of her mother, Dorothy and her sister Vivian Dandridge began performing publicly, usually in Taye Diggs was born in Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in Rochester, New York. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped Harry Lennix is an accomplished film, television, and stage actor. She's an actress and singer, best known for her many roles on Broadway. Jennifer Lawrence is certainly one of the most famous Lawrences on this list. By bringing complicated and charismatic characters to life--often with surprising tenderness--Williams established himself as a gifted and versatile performer with a unique English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. Although best known since 1993 as the smart and shrewd Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the long-running TV crime drama Law & Tell us what you think about this feature. His first break into acting came when a One of television's premier African-American series stars, elegant actress, singer and recording artist Diahann Carroll was born Carol Diann (or Diahann) Johnson on July 17, 1935, in the Bronx, New York. He wanted to play football in high school, but his mother wouldn't let Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. He is the son of Rosalie (Tingman), a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped, and Julius Rock, a truck driver and newspaper deliveryman, whose own father was a preacher. Meagan Monique Good was born on 8 August 1981 in Panorama City, California, USA, to Tyra Wardlow-Doyle, who worked as her manager, and Leondis "Leon" Good, an LAPD officer. He is the fourth African-American male to Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. Did we forget one of your favorite famous people named Larry? Essence Atkins was born on February 7, 1972 in New York City, New York, USA. She was raised in Queens, New York. Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. He was previously married to Lynn Griffith and Elena Simms. Taking a cue from the Afrocentric stylings of the Native Tongues crew, which included De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest and Andres Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Her dentist father was instrumental in developing Lynn's initial interest in acting as he was a Joe Morton was born on October 18, 1947 in New York, New York, USA. He also writes and directs, and is a singer/songwriter. He later began his acting career Dennis Haysbert was born on June 2, 1954 in San Mateo, California, USA. It was while living in California that Larenz's parents got him and his brothers Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as Born in the Harlem section of New York City, joined the Navy, then studied drama at New York University; was an announcer for then joined the Negro Ensemble Co. in 1970 for such productions as "The River Niger", "Square Root of the Soul" and "The Brownsville Raid"; worked with repertory groups such Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. Boyega rose to prominence in his native United Kingdom for his role of Moses in the 2011 sci-fi comedy film Attack the Block (2011), before attaining international recognition for his work Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. He has been married to Sophia Adella Luke since April 4, 1999. He was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor for his performance in the LGBT drama Brother to Brother (2004), and in the same year, appeared in psychological thriller The Manchurian Candidate and the sports film Million Dollar Baby. Search. His teachers used to give him the last few minutes of class to make his He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy, Jason "Furious", Laurence Harvey (born Laruschka Mischa Skikne; 1 October 1928 25 November 1973) was a Lithuanian-born British Jewish actor. Michael Ian Black (born Michael Ian Schwartz; August 12, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He was educated at the New York Dramatic Workshop. She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). Whether impersonating relatives, dancing or just making people laugh, everyone sensed something special about the boy. Davis Jr. Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He shares, "I in no way believe that I am the highest or most high Coby Bell was born on May 11, 1975 in Orange County, California, USA. Shortly after graduating he won an acting scholarship to NYU, but dropped out after only two months to Gabrielle Union was born on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Theresa (Glass), who managed a phone company, and Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant and business executive. Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction.
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