An African American is an individual who is a resident of United States, whose roots can be traced to the African continent. They make up approximately around 13 % of the United States population and have made their presence felt in diverse fields, ranging from politics to sports. Here are some African Americans who have excelled in the field of acting.
Denzel Washington
An American actor and director, Denzel Washington, was born on December 28, 1954 in New York, United States. His father, Reverend Denzel Washington Sr., was an ordained Pentecostal minister while his mother, Lennis "Lynne" owned a beauty parlor. In 1977, Denzel completed his B.A. in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University. In 1982, he got his big break in acting in a TV series named 'St. Elsewhere'. In 1992, Spike Lee's film, 'Malcolm X' proved to be a turning point in his career. His portrayal of the Black Nationalist leader earned him appreciation from all around. He also portrayed other real-life figures like Steve Biko, Rubin Carter and Frank Lucas on big screen. 'Cry Freedom', 'Glory', 'The Hurricane', 'Training Day' and 'American Gangster' are some of his notable films. Denzel Washington has won two Oscars; for his performance in 'Glory' (1989) and 'Training Day' (2001). He became only the second African American actor to win the Academy Award, when he got the Oscar for his portrayal of Detective Alonzo Harris in 'Training Day'.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is an American actor, a comedian and a singer, hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Born on April 3, 1961, Eddie was one of the two children born to Lillian and Charles Edward Murphy. Being a son of a comedian, Eddie started experimenting with his talent at the age of 15 by writing and performing. He made his big screen debut with 1982 film, '48 Hrs'. In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Dreamgirls'. He has also starred in noteworthy films like 'Beverly Hills Cop', 'Dr. Dolittle', 'I Spy' and 'The Nutty Professor'. He has been nominated for various awards including the Oscars and BAFTA.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is an American actress, who became the first African American to win the Academy Award. She was born on August 14, 1966 in Ohio, United States. In 1986, she became the first Afro-American to take part in the Miss World. Her Hollywood journey started with Spike Lee's 'Jungle Fever' in 1991. She won the Academy Award for the Best Actress for her film 'Monster's Ball' in 2001. Her 1998 film, 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge' earned her a Golden Globe as well as an Emmy Award. Some of her prominent films were 'Gothika', 'X Men', 'X Men United' 'Race the Sun' and 'The Flintstones'. In 2003, she topped For Him Magazine's list of 100 Sexiest Women in the World.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an Academy Award winner American actor. He was born on June 1,1937 in Memphis, United States. His father, Morgan Porterfield Freeman Sr. was a barber and his mother, Mayme Edna was a cleaner. Morgan made his television debut in 1971 with a TV series 'The Electric Company'. His film debut came with an American film, 'Brubaker' in 1980. He won an Academy Award for 'Million Dollar Baby' in 2005 and a Golden Globe for 'Driving Miss Daisy' in 1989. Some of his notable films were 'Deep Impact', 'Unforgiven' 'Street Smart' and 'Bruce Almighty'. In partnership with Lori McCreary, Freeman has a production company named Revelations Entertainment.
Will Smith
Will Smith is an American actor and a rapper. He was born on September 25, 1968 in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a refrigeration engineer, Willard Smith and a school administrator, Caroline Smith. A talented rapper, he started rapping in his teens itself. His big screen debut came in 1993, with Fred Schepisi's 'Six Degrees of Separation'. Smith made his presence felt in the industry with an action role in 'Bad Boys' in 1995. Other notable Will Smith films include 'Men in Black', 'Ali', 'I Robot', 'I am Legend' and 'Hancock'. Will Smith has been nominated for two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes. He is the only actor to have eight consecutive films open at Number 1 position and eight consecutive films to gross over $100 million.
Denzel Washington
An American actor and director, Denzel Washington, was born on December 28, 1954 in New York, United States. His father, Reverend Denzel Washington Sr., was an ordained Pentecostal minister while his mother, Lennis "Lynne" owned a beauty parlor. In 1977, Denzel completed his B.A. in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University. In 1982, he got his big break in acting in a TV series named 'St. Elsewhere'. In 1992, Spike Lee's film, 'Malcolm X' proved to be a turning point in his career. His portrayal of the Black Nationalist leader earned him appreciation from all around. He also portrayed other real-life figures like Steve Biko, Rubin Carter and Frank Lucas on big screen. 'Cry Freedom', 'Glory', 'The Hurricane', 'Training Day' and 'American Gangster' are some of his notable films. Denzel Washington has won two Oscars; for his performance in 'Glory' (1989) and 'Training Day' (2001). He became only the second African American actor to win the Academy Award, when he got the Oscar for his portrayal of Detective Alonzo Harris in 'Training Day'.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is an American actor, a comedian and a singer, hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Born on April 3, 1961, Eddie was one of the two children born to Lillian and Charles Edward Murphy. Being a son of a comedian, Eddie started experimenting with his talent at the age of 15 by writing and performing. He made his big screen debut with 1982 film, '48 Hrs'. In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Dreamgirls'. He has also starred in noteworthy films like 'Beverly Hills Cop', 'Dr. Dolittle', 'I Spy' and 'The Nutty Professor'. He has been nominated for various awards including the Oscars and BAFTA.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is an American actress, who became the first African American to win the Academy Award. She was born on August 14, 1966 in Ohio, United States. In 1986, she became the first Afro-American to take part in the Miss World. Her Hollywood journey started with Spike Lee's 'Jungle Fever' in 1991. She won the Academy Award for the Best Actress for her film 'Monster's Ball' in 2001. Her 1998 film, 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge' earned her a Golden Globe as well as an Emmy Award. Some of her prominent films were 'Gothika', 'X Men', 'X Men United' 'Race the Sun' and 'The Flintstones'. In 2003, she topped For Him Magazine's list of 100 Sexiest Women in the World.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an Academy Award winner American actor. He was born on June 1,1937 in Memphis, United States. His father, Morgan Porterfield Freeman Sr. was a barber and his mother, Mayme Edna was a cleaner. Morgan made his television debut in 1971 with a TV series 'The Electric Company'. His film debut came with an American film, 'Brubaker' in 1980. He won an Academy Award for 'Million Dollar Baby' in 2005 and a Golden Globe for 'Driving Miss Daisy' in 1989. Some of his notable films were 'Deep Impact', 'Unforgiven' 'Street Smart' and 'Bruce Almighty'. In partnership with Lori McCreary, Freeman has a production company named Revelations Entertainment.
Will Smith
Will Smith is an American actor and a rapper. He was born on September 25, 1968 in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a refrigeration engineer, Willard Smith and a school administrator, Caroline Smith. A talented rapper, he started rapping in his teens itself. His big screen debut came in 1993, with Fred Schepisi's 'Six Degrees of Separation'. Smith made his presence felt in the industry with an action role in 'Bad Boys' in 1995. Other notable Will Smith films include 'Men in Black', 'Ali', 'I Robot', 'I am Legend' and 'Hancock'. Will Smith has been nominated for two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes. He is the only actor to have eight consecutive films open at Number 1 position and eight consecutive films to gross over $100 million.
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