Black Actors in Superhero Movies
by bigboijp | created - 21 Apr 2019 | updated - 11 Jan 2023 | PublicThis is a list of Black Actors/Actresses that have been featured in, or starred in Superhero movies. If there are any that I've missed, let me know!!!
1. Richard Pryor
Actor | Superman III
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. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as ...
Superman III
2. Billy Dee Williams
Actor | Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. He is easily best known to international film audiences as the roguish Lando Calrissian in the last two ...
Batman (1989) The Lego Batman Movie
3. Shaquille O'Neal
Actor | Steel
Shaquille O'Neal is a retired professional American basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA on TNT. He is considered one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. He was one of the tallest and heaviest players ever. O'Neal ...
Steel
4. George Wallace
Actor | Batman Forever
George Wallace was born on July 21, 1952 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Batman Forever (1995), The Ladykillers (2004) and Little Nicky (2000).
Batman Forever
5. Vivica A. Fox
Actress | Independence Day
Vivica A. Fox was born in South Bend, Indiana, on July 30, 1964, and is the daughter of Everlyena, a pharmaceutical technician, and William Fox, a private school administrator. She is of Native American and African-American descent and is proud of her heritage. She is a graduate of Arlington High ...
Batman and Robin
6. Coolio
Soundtrack | Dangerous Minds
With over 17 million records sold worldwide, Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist Coolio is an artist known around the world as a musical and cooking master of extraordinary reinvention. Growing up during the time of tremendous change in Compton, Calif., Coolio fed on struggle ...
Batman and Robin
7. En Vogue
Actress | En Vogue: Free Your Mind
En Vogue is known for En Vogue: Free Your Mind (1992), Captain Marvel (2019) and Central Intelligence (2016).
Batman Forever
8. Morgan Freeman
Actor | Driving Miss Daisy
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. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. The young Freeman...
Batman Begins The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Rises
9. Michael Jai White
Actor | Black Dynamite
Michael Jai White is an American actor and martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn. White ...
Spawn
10. Wesley Snipes
Actor | Blade
Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. 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. He attended ...
Blade Blade II Blade: Trinity
11. Halle Berry
Actress | Catwoman
Halle Maria Berry was born Maria Halle Berry on August 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Oakwood, Ohio to Judith Ann Berry (née Hawkins), a psychiatric nurse & Jerome Jesse Berry, a hospital attendant. Her father was African-American and her mother is of mostly English and German descent. ...
X-Men X2-X-Men United X-Men-The Last Stand X-Men: Days Of Future Past Catwoman (sorry, I had to put it in)!!!
12. Holly Robinson Peete
Actress | 21 Jump Street
Holly Robinson Peete was born on September 18, 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for 21 Jump Street (1987), For Your Love (1998) and 21 Jump Street (2012). She has been married to Rodney Peete since June 10, 1995. They have four children.
Howard The Duck
13. Bill Nunn
Actor | Spider-Man 3
Commanding performer Bill Nunn made his feature debut in fellow Morehouse College graduate Spike Lee's School Daze (1988), but really etched himself into moviegoers' minds as a formidable screen presence in his second film with Lee, Do the Right Thing (1989), playing Radio Raheem, whose ...
Spider-Man Spider-Man II Spider-Man III
14. Jamie Foxx
Actor | Collateral
Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer and comedian. 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). The same year, he was nominated for the Academy...
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Spider-Man: No Way Home
15. Bill Duke
Actor | Predator
Duke Media Entertainment, led by actor, director, producer, writer and humanitarian, Bill Duke, is dedicated to bringing quality Edutainment to audiences around the globe. Formerly Yagya Productions, Duke Media has successfully produced critically acclaimed film and television content for more than...
X-Men-The Last Stand
16. Kerry Washington
Actress | Scandal
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. She ...
Fantastic 4 Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer
17. Michael Clarke Duncan
Actor | The Green Mile
Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Raised on Chicago's South Side by his single mother, Jean, a house cleaner, Duncan grew up resisting drugs and alcohol, instead concentrating on school. He wanted to play football in high school, but his mother wouldn't let ...
Daredevil Green Lantern
18. Laurence Fishburne
Actor | The Matrix
Critically hailed for his forceful, militant, authoritative figures and one of Hollywood's most talented and versatile performers, Laurence (John) Fishburne III has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a number of NAACP Image honors.
Born in Augusta, Georgia on July 30, 1961, to Hattie ...
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer Man Of Steel Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice Ant-Man & The Wasp
19. Garcelle Beauvais
Actress | Spider-Man: Homecoming
Named one of People Magazine's highly coveted 50 Most Beautiful in 2014, Haitian-born actress Garcelle Beauvais immigrated to the United States at the age of seven with her mother and sisters, and has since charmed audiences with her dramatic and comedic abilities. A seasoned actress, Garcelle ...
Spider-Man: Homecoming
20. Donald Glover
Actor | Solo: A Star Wars Story
The multi-talented Donald Glover is a writer, actor, musician, comedian, producer and director, who performs under the stage names Childish Gambino and mcDJ. He was born Donald McKinley Glover at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and was raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His mother, Beverly (...
Spider-Man: Homecoming
21. Hannibal Buress
Actor | Tag
Hannibal Buress was born on February 4, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Tag (2018), Neighbors (2014) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).
Spider-Man: Homecoming
22. Bokeem Woodbine
Actor | Spider-Man: Homecoming
Bokeem Woodbine grew up in Harlem, New York. At the age of 19, he secured the lead role in the HBO production of Forest Whitaker's directorial debut Strapped (1993). Bokeem moved to Los Angeles shortly after completing the film Jason's Lyric (1994), and has pursued his dream of becoming a ...
Spider-Man: Homecoming
23. Omar Sy
Actor | Intouchables
Omar Sy was born on January 20, 1978 in Trappes, Yvelines, France. He is an actor and producer, known for The Intouchables (2011), Jurassic World (2015) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). He has been married to Hélène Sy since July 6, 2007. They have four children.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
24. Terrence Howard
Actor | Crash
Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (née Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. He later began his acting career ...
Iron Man
25. Don Cheadle
Actor | Crash
Donald Frank Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1964. His childhood found him moving from city to city with his family: mother Bettye (née North), a teacher; father Donald Frank Cheadle Sr., a clinical psychologist; sister Cindy; and brother Colin. After graduating from high...
Iron Man 2 Iron Man 3 Avengers: Age Of Ultron Captain America: Civil War Avengers: Infinity War Captain Marvel Avengers: Endgame
26. Derek Luke
Actor | Antwone Fisher
Derek Luke was born on April 24, 1974 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). He has been married to Sophia Adella Luke since April 4, 1999. They have one child.
Captain America: The First Avenger
27. Anthony Mackie
Actor | The Hurt Locker
Anthony Mackie is an American actor. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Anthony has been featured in feature films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, ...
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Avengers: Age Of Ultron Ant-Man Captain America: Civil War Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame
28. Tip 'T.I.' Harris
Actor | Ant-Man
T.I. was born Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. on September 25, 1980, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Violeta Morgan and Clifford "Buddy" Harris, Sr. He is also known as T.I.P. and "Rubberband Man". T.I. is from the streets of Westside Bankhead Zone 1 in Atlanta. His original stage name, T.I.P., it stems from ...
Ant-Man Ant-Man & The Wasp
29. Idris Elba
Actor | Beasts of No Nation
An only child, Idrissa Akuna Elba was born and raised in London, England. His father, Winston, is from Sierra Leone and worked at Ford Dagenham; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and had a clerical duty. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped...
Thor Thor: The Dark World Thor: Ragnarok Avengers: Infinity War Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance The Suicide Squad Thor: Love And Thunder
30. Tessa Thompson
Actress | Creed
The actress Tessa Lynn Thompson was born on October 3, 1983 in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of singer-songwriter Marc Anthony Thompson and the granddaughter of actor-musician Bobby Ramos. She was raised in Los Angeles before moving to Brooklyn, New York. Her father is of ...
Thor: Ragnarok Avengers: Endgame Thor: Love and Thunder
31. Samuel L. Jackson
Actor | Pulp Fiction
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), ...
Iron Man Iron Man 2 Captain America: The First Avenger The Avengers Captain America: The Winter Soldier Avengers: Age Of Ultron Avengers: Infinity War Captain Marvel Avengers: Endgame Spider-Man: Far From Home
32. Zoe Saldana
Actress | Avatar
Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey, to Asalia Nazario and Aridio Saldaña. Her father was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. She was raised in Queens, New York. When she was 10 years old, she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic, where they would live for ...
Guardians Of The Galaxy Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame
33. Zoë Kravitz
Actress | The Batman
Zoë Kravitz has captivated audiences in diverse group of acclaimed major motion picture films, notable independent releases and blockbuster franchises including The Batman, Mad Max and Fantastic Beasts, as well as the celebrated EMMY® Award-winning series Big Little Lies.
Following her role both ...
X-Men: First Class The Lego Batman Movie The Batman
34. Edi Gathegi
Actor | StartUp
Edi Gathegi was born on March 10, 1979 in Nairobi, Kenya. He is an actor and producer, known for StartUp (2016), Princess of the Row (2019) and For All Mankind (2019).
X-Men: First Class
35. Alexandra Shipp
Actress | X-Men: Apocalypse
Alexandra Shipp is known for her role as the iconic mohawked super heroine 'Storm' in Twentieth Century Fox's X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), directed by Bryan Singer. Shipp plays a younger version of 'Storm' (originally played by Halle Berry). Determined to make the mutant character her own, she ...
X-Men: Apocalypse Dark Phoenix Deadpool 2 (Uncredited Cameo)
36. Leslie Uggams
Actress | Deadpool
Leslie Uggams was born on May 25, 1943 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Deadpool (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018) and American Fiction (2023). She has been married to Grahame Pratt since October 16, 1965. They have two children.
Deadpool Deadpool 2
37. Chadwick Boseman
Actor | Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman was an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of T'Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from 2016 to 2019, particularly in Black Panther (2018), and for his starring roles as several pioneering Americans, Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013), James Brown in Get on...
Captain America: Civil War Black Panther Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame
38. Winston Duke
Actor | Black Panther
Winston Duke was born on November 15, 1986 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor and producer, known for Black Panther (2018), Us (2019) and Nine Days (2020).
Black Panther Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
39. Lupita Nyong'o
Actress | 12 Years a Slave
Lupita Amondi Nyong'o was born March 1, 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico, to Kenyan parents, Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o. Her father, a senator, was then a visiting lecturer in political science. She was raised in Kenya. At age 16, her parents sent her back to Mexico for seven months to...
Black Panther Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
40. Letitia Wright
Actress | Black Panther
With a career spanning over a decade, Emmy-nominated Letitia Wright has cemented her position as one of the industry's most captivating young actresses. From her breakout role as ambitious Summerhouse resident Chantelle in Top Boy, to her critically acclaimed performance as Nish in Black Mirror, ...
Black Panther Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
41. Danai Gurira
Actress | Black Panther
Danai Gurira was born in Grinnell, Iowa, to Josephine and Roger Gurira, who were from Zimbabwe. Her father was then teaching Chemistry at Grinnell College. When she was five, the family moved back to Zimbabwe, residing in the capital Harare. Gurira later returned to the United States, and studied ...
Black Panther Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
42. Angela Bassett
Actress | Strange Days
Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. 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 ...
Black Panther Green Lantern Avengers: Endgame Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
43. Michael B. Jordan
Actor | Black Panther
Michael B. Jordan, the middle of three children, was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. His middle name, Bakari, means "noble promise" in Swahili. (He is not related to, or named after, ...
Fantastic Four (2015) Black Panther Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
44. Denzel Whitaker
Actor | The Great Debaters
Denzel Whitaker was born on June 15, 1990 in Torrance, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for The Great Debaters (2007), Black Panther (2018) and Training Day (2001).
Black Panther
45. Forest Whitaker
Actor | The Last King of Scotland
Forest Steven Whitaker has packaged a king-size talent into his hulking 6' 2", 220 lb. frame. 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. He is the fourth African-American male to...
Black Panther
46. Will Smith
Producer | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". Smith has been nominated for five Golden ...
Suicide Squad
47. Viola Davis
Actress | Fences
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. Audiences across the United States and internationally have admired her for her work- including her celebrated, Oscar-nominated ...
Suicide Squad The Suicide Squad
48. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Actor | Farming
Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. 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. Fluent in several languages, including English, ...
Thor: The Dark World Suicide Squad
49. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Actor | Aquaman
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is an American actor. He portrayed David Kane, the Black Manta in the DC Extended Universe Aquaman films and Bobby Seale in the Netflix historical legal drama The Trial of the Chicago 7. For his portrayal of Cal Abar in the HBO limited series Watchmen, he won a Primetime Emmy ...
Aquaman
50. Michael Beach
Actor | Aquaman
Born and raised in Roxbury, a Boston neighborhood, by a single mom with four children, Beach was an athlete who never expected to be an actor. After performing in a few plays at Noble and Greenough School, he auditioned for, got accepted to and later graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School ...
Aquaman
51. Djimon Hounsou
Actor | Blood Diamond
Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in west Africa to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was 13. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. He has since left his modeling career and has worked on Gladiator (2000) by ...
Guardians Of The Galaxy Aquaman Captain Marvel Shazam!
52. Lashana Lynch
Actress | No Time to Die
Lashana Lynch (born 27 November 1987) is a British actress. She plays the leading role of Rosaline in the ABC period drama series Still Star-Crossed.
Lynch is a graduate of the BA Acting course at ArtsEd drama school in London. She made her film debut in the 2011 drama film Fast Girls. She later ...
Captain Marvel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
53. Akira Akbar
Actress | Captain Marvel
Akira Akbar was born on October 2, 2006 in the USA. She is an actress, known for Captain Marvel (2019), We Can Be Heroes (2020) and Criminal Minds (2005).
Captain Marvel
54. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Actor | 12 Years a Slave
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. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things...
Doctor Strange Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
55. Ray Fisher
Actor | Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire
Ray Fisher is an American actor with a career spanning both stage and screen.
In 2013, he was lauded for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the New York Theatre Workshop's Off-Broadway production of Will Power's 'Fetch Clay, Make Man.' In 2023, Fisher received a Drama Desk nomination for his portrayal...
Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice Justice League
56. Faithe Herman
Actress | Shazam!
Faithe C. Herman is the youngest child of five, born in San Diego, CA. At the age of four with the help of her mom, Faithe started working in the Entertainment Industry doing background work with Kids Management. In August 2014, Faithe signed with BMG Model & Talent, going on numerous auditions. ...
Shazam!
57. Meagan Good
Actress | Think Like a Man
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. She began appearing on commercials at the age of four. Then she started guest-starring on series like The Parent 'Hood (1995), ...
Shazam!
58. Jurnee Smollett
Actress | The Burial
Jurnee Smollett is an award-winning actress and activist of rare talent and conviction. In the fall of 2020, she starred in J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele and Misha Green's critically acclaimed drama for HBO, "Lovecraft Country." Smollett's performance was lauded by industry insiders and critics alike. ...
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
59. Steven Williams
Actor | Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday
Steven Williams is an American actor in films and television. He is known for his roles as Captain Adam Fuller on 21 Jump Street, Lt. Jefferson Burnett on The Equalizer, Det. August Brooks on L.A. Heat, X on The X-Files, Russell "Linc" Lincoln in Linc's, and Rufus Turner in Supernatural.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
60. Eriq La Salle
Actor | ER
Actor/director/producer Eriq La Salle is best known to worldwide television audiences for his award-winning portrayal of the commanding Dr. Peter Benton on the critically acclaimed and history-making medical drama ER. Educated at Juilliard and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, his credits range from ...
Logan
61. Elise Neal
Actress | Hustle & Flow
Elise Neal was born in Memphis, Tennessee and began dancing at age six. She credits her success to her mother, Arletha Neal, who always supported her and drove her to many talent shows and recitals. After moving to New York and quickly booking many off-Broadway shows and musical revivals, she ...
Logan
62. Quincy Fouse
Actor | Logan
Quincy was born August 26, 1997 in Jacksonville, FL. He is an actor well known for his role as the young vampire named MG in The CW's series Legacies (2018-2021), which, in February 2021, has been renewed for a fourth season. He is also known for his roles in The Goldbergs (2016-2018), Bosch (2018)...
Logan
63. Will.i.am
Actor | X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Will.i.am was born on March 15, 1975 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), Rio (2011) and Rio 2 (2014).
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
64. Laura Harrier
Actress | Spider-Man: Homecoming
Laura Harrier is a Chicago-native who shortly after moving to New York for drama school was discovered by Steve McQueen for his HBO pilot. Harrier is best known for landing as the breakout role as 'Liz Allan' opposite Tom Holland in Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: Homecoming." She is also seen in ...
Spider-Man: Homecoming
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